Traditional Knowledge and Western Science Plant Studies
	Medicinal knowledge and the use of native plants requires precise knowledge of the environment, the seasonal patterns of medicinal plants, where they grow, when to collect them (at their most potent stage), how to prepare them, and how and in what dosages to administer them. In our region of the Aleutians, the Unangax used this knowledge to cure illnesses, alleviate pain, burns and bone fractures, and fight infection. Scientific concepts do exist in Native tradition, although Native people do not use scientific jargon in their oral traditions of teaching.   Throughout the world today, a vast number of Aboriginal people no longer rely on Traditional Knowledge because they have been educated away from their own culture and traditions.   An enormous barrier to Traditional Knowledge use is the fact that many Western scientists regard it as unreliable and rooted in myth, due to its link with spirituality and its qualitative, holistic nature.   Despite these difficulties, Traditional Knowledge still exists and continues to be practiced by a number of Elders and traditional peoples who are knowledgeable about their culture, traditions, and history.   Traditional medicine is intrinsically holistic. Conventional medicine is only beginning to conceptualize looking at health, healing, and medicine as a complete circle. In discussing the use of plants as medicines, you must realize that the use of plants is best practiced as a way of keeping your body in balance with nature.  A healthy lifestyle includes knowing what your body is like in its perfect state of health, so that you will know when your health is out of balance.  In today’s society, there are many emergent care issues that were not even a part of life in pre-contact times.  Cancers were virtually non-existent, and the global spread of viruses and bacteria did not happen as rapidly and in as numerous events as they do today.  Not having an emergency room and being reliant on the traditional knowledge available, meant making sure you took care of yourself so that emergency health care was not necessary. Since a large part of the philosophy behind Camp Qungaayux^ revolves around the comparison of Traditional Knowledge and Western science, we have chosen five plants to document.  We begin with the plant name in Unangam tunuu, the Aleut language, bridge it with the common name, and complete the cycle with the scientific name.  We then document the traditional local use of the plant, and conclude with the Western science listed properties within the plants which explain why the plant might be suitable for such uses.
	Saaqudiigamax Angelica or St. Paul Putchky Angelica lucida
	The plant is antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic, and tonic.  The root is alterative, analgesic, anticholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, deobstruent, emmenagogue, emollient, hepatic, laxative, sedative and peripheral vasodilator.  The plant and root have an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of various bacteria including Bacillus dysenteria, Bacillus typhi, B. comma, B. cholerae and haemolytic streptococci. The roots are gathered, washed, and dried.  A tea or tincture can be made and used for female health, including premenstrual syndrome, menopause, and regulating menstrual cycle.  Poultices made out of the root are used for various infections and a variety of aches and pains.  The leaves and stems are made into ointments and oils. The end product is used to clear up infections, and for easing the pain of rheumatism and arthritis.  The angelica plant is a remedy for putchki burn.  The seeds can be collected and dried.  Teas brewed with the seeds alleviate indigestion. A tea can also be used to stimulate blood flow to the peripheral parts of the body and so is of value in treating poor circulation.		Click Plant to Enlarge
	Kiikax Lingonberry, low-bush cranberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea
	The cranberry, besides being a great edible due its high vitamin C content, was used also for its high pectin content which when added to other berries, made jams and jellies more apt to gel. As a medicinal, the cranberry was used specifically for bladder infections,colds, and bleeding gums.  Cranberries are rich in vaccinin, a biomolecular “vaccine” against viruses, bacteria and fungus.
	Chngaatudax Yarrow Achillea borealis
	Click Plant to Enlarge	The yarrow plant enjoys many uses by the Unangax.   First and foremost, the plant is used for its blood coagulating properties, an important aspect if you are without emergent care.   Using the plant as a coagulant also allows the antiseptic properties to work to keep any infection away from wounds.   A hot pack of yarrow will reduce any infection if placed on the affected area.   A tea could be drunk to slow or stop internal bleeding.   The tea was also used to fight germs attacking the immune system.   The tea would raise the body temperature, thus killing bacteria in the body.   Because of these properties, lotions and balms made from yarrow protect the skin from the cold and wind.   Steaming with the yarrow tea relieved blocked sinuses.   The yarrow plant contains a volatile oil with cineol, a tannin, achilleine, achilletin, ivain, aconitic acid, stachydrin, choline, and glycocoll betaine.
	Saaqudax Putchki, cow parsnip Heracleum lanatum
	The fruit, green parts, and root of cow parsnip are all pulverized to make poultices and tonics for arthritis, nausea, indigestion, sore throats, and colds.   Hot poultices can be made from the root for deep pain.   Makarin stated that her mother used to eat putchki to calm the nerves.   The young plant stalks can be eaten like celery, but be careful not to get the sap of the plant on your skin, as properties in the plant react to sunlight and will cause a burn that is difficult to heal. Stalks can be sliced and dried and saved for winter use.   The plant contains a volatile oil, coumarins, that can be used to produce xanthotoxin, a dermal photosensitizing agent.		Click Plant to Enlarge
	Sixsiqax Wormwood Artemisia unalaskensis; A. globularia; A. tilesii, A. arctica
	Click Plant to Enlarge	This plant has been used extensively for diminishing pain from rheumatism and arthritis. The leaves and stems were used either fresh or dried to switch the skin during a steam bath. The volatile oils from the plant entered the bloodstream through the open pores in the skin, easily passing through the vessel barriers. Oils and salves were also made from the plant for joint and muscles aches, as well as infections and rashes. A tea was made from the plant and taken sparingly, as a cure for chest ailments such as bronchitis and asthma. The common wormwood contains a dark green or blue volatile oil with a strong odor and bitter taste. The oil contains absinthol or tenacetone, thujyl alcohol, cadinene, phellandrene, and pinene. The herb also contains the bitter glucoside absinthin, absinthic acid, together with tannin, resin starch, nitrate of potash and other salts. The volatile oil of common wormwood is a central nervous system depressant causing trembling then stupor, followed by convulsions.