English

Echinacea, Coneflower

Scientific Name

Echinacea pallida ?

Arapaho

he3owoonoxu’ ('dog medicine?')

Echinacea and the Arapaho

Drug: analgesic. Arapahos today report that they use a salty tasting, yellowish root for toothache. It numbs the mouth and causes drooling when chewed. The root is given to them by healers, and they are not aware of what plant it is or where it comes from. The exact same treatment or toothache is used by the Cheyenne, and Echinacea pallida var. angustifolia is the plant used. The Arapahos state that this is not however the root which is chewed during the Sun Dance to produce a cooling, salivating sensation in the mouth.

Other: singing aid. The plant named here is also “good for singing” in that it helps keep the mouth moist.