English
Horse Mint
Latin
Monarda punctata
Anishinaabemowin
Reagan: kah-be-sah-ne-gwa-y-yok (ka-hi-sani-gwe-iag)
Physical Description
Horse mint grows in prairies and other dry sandy places, reaching heights of 1 to 3 feet. The opposite, lance-shaped leaves are aromatic when crushed. The upper leaves are whitish-green to lavender. From July to October whorls of yellow flowers with purple spots bloom in the upper leaf axils. These flowers are set off by showy white or lilac bracts.
(Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)
(Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)
Uses & Preparation
Traditionally a decoction of the plant was used to treat a sick stomach and for bowel problems, and the plant was used as a rubbing medicine.
(Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)
(Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)
Sources
Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa, Meeker, Elias and Heim, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, WI, 1993