mint
Mentha canadensis; Mentha arvensis
wóhoonó’ = peppermint
nii’óuwóhoonó’ = good/better mint
Drug: gastrointestinal aid, kidney aid, urinary aid, emetic. It is used for a tea and for medicine by contemporary Arapahos. It is a purgative, causing vomiting. It is used by Sun Dancers once their ordeal is over, and before they begin to eat regularly again. It is said to be good for the kidneys as well, as a cleanser of the urinary tract. Murphey documents the steeping of the plant in water for use as a medicine for indigestion. Oliver Toll says the plant was used for a tea.
Drug: pediatric aid. Inez Hilger reports that “peppermint” was boiled in water, and then given daily to children as a potion, to keep them healthy.
Drug: decongestant, herbal steam. Peppermint leaves are boiled, and then the steam is breathed under a blanket in order to relieve congestion.
Other: fragrance. This plant was used as a perfume.
It is reported that there are two kinds of peppermint - one with round leaves and one with oval leaves. The round leaves are the better variety, which are called nii’óu-wóhoonó’, meaning ‘good smelling mint’ or ‘good/better mint.’