Listening to the Ancestors of the Native American Indians: Cannabis Influences

My DNA blood is blended with the lineage of Indigenous African American, Apache, Blackfoot and

Cherokee Indian. I lend more toward the Native American side of my ancestors. I often get dreams of

my Indian ancestors with no message, but once I am still, and my mind gets quiet the informative

intuitive message is received and imprinted into my soul. And afterwards, I give the ancestors thanks,

and act accordingly. Normally, for Plant Healer publication, I write a lot about Cannabis cooking,

medicine, and skincare. I will integrate Cannabis in the herbs in cooking, skincare, or medicine that was

used in the lifestyle of Native Americans. However, a few years ago, I learned about our homestead

living on Cherokee land. I am honored that our homestead is ancestral land. Located in rural

Goodlettsville, Tennessee where the dislocation of Ancestors travel through the “trails of tears” to the

move of Indians westward from their homeland. Also, our homestead stands as a botanical sanctuary

for at-risk plants, a member of United Plant Savers, the plants are ginseng, goldenseal, wild yam,

Solomon seal, black and blue cohosh, ramps, wild germanium, bethroot, stoneroot and more. My

husband and I were called, to be earth stewardship for this land the ancestors gave us charged us. All

the United States (Turtle Island), first belonged to Indigenous first people. During the removal act of

the Indians to move them west away from their homestead many of the Indians, got off the path and

hid away from the soldiers. Our homestead land was a hospital for the Indians either before or after the

removal act of 1830 to Oklahoma. Our ancestors were resilience and were able to manage living through

the hardest conditions lack of food, work, land, and culture most of all. As a result of ending up with

stolen land, stolen people, and colonization. Herbalism can teach a lot about spiritual insights of plants

for healing, harmony, and balance for fortifying the body and this is what our ancestor did. This can be

done by tapping into the ancestral wisdom connection and wholeness and integration of balance and

harmony.

The Keeper of Scared Things

One of my dear neighbors has scared Native American burial mounds in her backyard. I have seen the

mounds as my neighbors are keepers at this consecrated holy site. The word keeper is sacred in the

Native American Indian language. My neighbor’s husband told me that I was a modern-day Medicine

woman as they were buying plants for their gardens and woodlands from me. Medicine encompass all

over this Goodlettsville area (where we live), wooden forest area and roadways which speaks to me as

such ancestral practices were everywhere. Native American Indians plant medicine are found from the

Four Directions in Goodlettsville, I am sure your area too have medicine plants too, in your area. In the

book, the author Garrett speaks of the spirit back into herbalism, The Cherokee Herbal, (2003), page 29,

J. T. Garrett, writes, “It was agreed that the plants would make themselves known to the humans for

protection and for ailments. To this day there are those we call upon the plants and those familiar with

the plant’s helpers for healing and protection. For every ailment there is a healing agent among the

plants that is known in spirit. This is called the Medicine, and this is the story of the Medicine, or na

wati.”

The Cherokee (Aniyunwiya) Herbal and Lifestyle

The word Aniyunwiya refers to Cherokee people they thought of themselves as “the real people,”

“principal people,” or the “original people.” In the olden days, the Cherokee had to remember the

special keeper information and knowledge in their soul, heart, and mind. Nothing was written down; no

paper or pen was used. They were told, “You just gotta’ remember and learn the hard way.” How often

do we not remember, I try? And we use our electronic devices, notes on the phone, paper, and pen to

write down things because we say we will not remember. Their potions and holy messages were passed

down by word of mouth, relational vision of health, families, communities, tribal environments, and

honor. The Indian way is to share with their feelings not with words. Others have record information the

European settlers’ (friends of the Cherokee), keeper a journal, the U. S. Government, and others. Any

written records came from the keepers of secrets, the keepers of the way, and the teaching of their

Native descendants. The descendants of the Indians called all to respect Mother Earth and align

themselves, then to protect her land, and the Medicine Way of life. Medicine was created by a formula

in ceremony and rituals that the family, clan, and their tribal members were present. They often felt that

a person’s harmony and balance had interferences. Another belief a person’s illnesses effective all the

clan, not just the person sick. The medicine was used to deter harmony and balance upsets the entire

circle of the tribe. Formulas treated more than healing of sore but a clearing of safe travels, vision, for

hunting, relationships, gardening, and planting foods. Balance and harmony (again mention), was for the

entire circle, not just one person. Medicine was used to bring the entire harmony and balance for the

whole circle of the tribe. I ask, what you can do for your community tribe to keep harmony and balance

in the clan you are a part of? What interrupts your life? Did you know your sickness affects your clan?

The Cherokee lifestyle and culture harmony and balance helps to prevent such things from happening to

a person, and to assure or to bring harmony and balance back the clan or to the community. May I also

ask you how you are the keeper of sacred knowledge of plants and potions?

The Value of the Indian Medicine Way

To take care of the tribal members inside and outside, to be healed from sickness they used various tree

barks and plants like many herbalists do now. Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), was used by other

tribes not the Cherokee sand still used today! But the Cherokee used White Willow bark (Salix alba),

which both were used in the same way. Both plants have medicine bundles or bags, the source of

salicylic acid as most of us know the active ingredient (salicylic acid), of aspirin for pain, toothaches,

arthritis, and fever. You may use salicylic acid on the skin topically it improves wrinkles, and it is perfect

for preventing aging on the skin. You could make a cup of oil (your choice), with 5 tablespoons of dried

chopped Cannabis cook with 3 tablespoons of chopped Meadowsweet or White Willow bark. Cook for 6

hours on a low setting then strain and use on the skin for pain or to improve the skin from wrinkles,

blemishes, and skin issues. You could do the same recipe and tincture with 90 proof or more alcohol for

at least 4 weeks. Place in a cool dark place afterwards. Cannabis on the skin does the exact healing

properties as the other two herbs. I would like to encourage you to get the book, Native American

Ethnobotany, (1998), Daniel E. Moerman. You may look for this book on EBAY.

“Speaking of Burdock

Burdock (Arctium lappa, L.), in its first use by the Cherokee was used for burns as a poultice (dry or

fresh leaves), skin irritation, cuts, and sores. In the Natives infinite wisdom, they created a formula of

the seven magic herbs for a sacred medicine but using burdock as the healing agents. The Amish also

used the leaves of Arcticum lappa, L. also for burn and pain on the skin. Here are the list of the magical

healing agents: chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla, L), comfrey (Symphytum officinale, L), coltsfoot

(Tussilago farara), dock (Rumex crispus. L), evening primrose (Oenothera biennis, L.), and goldenseal

(Hydrastis canadensis, L) as a mixture of blessed natural antiseptics, tonics, emollients, and demulcents

healing plants for the aid of soothing the skin. As a Cannabis advocate and teacher, I am recommending

that you add 1/3 cup Cannabis oil to this formula it works wonderfully on the skin as a soother and

healer of all skin problems. When I was in herbal studies we read and study from this book, “Indian

Herbology of Norh America,” (1973), Alma R. Hutchens, (pages xxi).

Within the pages of this noted book marks instructions of the use of herbs and the many consumptions

such as: folk medicine, clinical, home medicine and homeopathic. With influence not only on Native

Americans in North American, but Europe, Asia, Africa, Canada, and yes, the U.S.A. With an emphasis on

substantial portions of folk medicines as a universal treatment with herbs for the entire globe. The

author pens about the “from the old world to the new only after 1492. It is also composed in the book;

100 million years ago, the seed plants dominated the areas of the earth. Into this carefully balanced

creation man was honored. His dependence on plants for the essence of his existence has been of

paramount importance as the source of nourishment and replenishment.”

On another note of Burdock, which grows largely. And shows up strong in our back yard and as a

volunteer on other places on our homestead landscape. I fixed a stem cooked wrap with its huge leaves,

first steaming the leaves for five minutes in water. I went ahead to prepare a heated pan of the mixture

with texture vegetable protein, Hemp Heart seeds, Cannabis oil, carrots, summer squash, corn, and

beans. The three sisters known in the Native American Indian cuisine. But I add Cannabis. And sauté mix

then wrapped it into the burdock and added toothpicks to hold it together. Into the oven for twenty-five

minutes.

Three Sisters Planting

Above there is already one recipe for the three sisters, here is some other information. The squash,

corn and beans are relatives they are the Native Americans three sisters mix. The mounds have been

planted for countless years by the Indigenous people of America. After 1492 the Indigenous taught the

Europeans about the three sister or they would have starved, the first consultation to plant. As a person

grows three sisters together each one feeds the other sister with certain nutrients, gives protection to

the soil, and supports each plant. Companion planting helps fight weeds, deter pests, and improves the

soil with nitrogen. More benefits are the plants help soil erosion, by helping with the drainage.

The story behind the sister is that a daughter grew and became with child. The daughter gave birth to

twins, and she died. Sky Women buried the daughter in the “new earth.” At the mound of her

daughters’ grave three holy blessed plants grew corn, beans, and squash. And the plants supported the

Native societies and still do, then later the settlers, and now for the nation. Beans, corn, and squash,

thank you for displaying your style and food substance for the benefits of our body and substances. You

may add Cannabis Hemp Green Flakes to the three sisters’ dish to enhance the protein of the dish. The

beans, corn and squash along completes as a protein. Cannabis is only plant that has complete protein

in its plants. Integrate Cannabis in all your dishes for an enhancement of protein. The Hemp flakes are

crunchy at a few Health Food stores, but you may buy online at MyShibbolethlifestyles.com they are

delicious.

Mullein and Lobelia Indian Tobacco

Most Cherokees would not be without their tobacco Mullein (Verbascum blattaria) or Lobelia (Lobelia

inflata), while being in the woods a gift from the Great One. As a precaution he or she may get stung or

bitten by a bug or insect. As I drive through my neighborhood, I see Mullein everywhere but often too

close to the roadside, which is a no, no. Lobelia is an anti-smoking formula. The leaves of the plant

were crushed and used for treating diarrhea, ringworm, sores, bites, and parasites.

Mullein was used by the Indigenous people which its nickname was called, “run in spirit.” In opening

their lungs, they used this medicine before competitions, and running messages to others in the

Cherokee village. The Mullein plant is another plant I harvest that shows up in our homestead

landscape and area nearby roadside which I cannot harvest (cause too close to the road and car

pollution).

Gluten Free Sunflower Seed Cookies with Cannabis

The Hopi Indians in the southwest relay a lot on the Sunflower use often in decorations, dye, oil, and art.

The Hopi beliefs are that if a lot of Sunflowers the harvest are abundant. Yellow corn meal and basket

material were dyed yellow from the Sunflower dried petals. Once Sunflower seeds (highly nutritious),

were consumed before corn, beans and squash were discovered. The seeds are high in B vitamins,

magnesium, and protein.

Here is recipe this recipe is adapted from the book: “The Sioux Chefs Indigenous Kitchen,” Chef Sean

Sherman with Beth Dooley, (2017), page (135). First make Sunflower seeds butter page (166), in this

recipe we will adding Cannabis Sunflower oil. To make the Cannabis Sunflower oil you will need pure 1

cup of Sunflower oil. Decarb the Cannabis you will need 4 tablespoons place in the oven on the lowest

setting for five hours and then strain.

Making the Sunflower Seed Butter

4 cups of unsalted Sunflower seeds

2 teaspoons of smoked salt

2 cups of maple syrup

6 teaspoons of Cannabis oil

Use a food processor and blend all ingredients until a ball forms.

Making the Cookies

Place your oven setting to 350. Gather a small bowl, spoon, parchment paper, ice cream scooper, and

cookie sheet

1 cup of Sunflower butter (already made)

¼ cup of Cannabis maple syrup (it is made the same way as the oil)

Salt to taste

¼ cup of blue corn meal

Put in the warm oven stir everything together. Scoop up the dough with an ice cream scooper.

Fatten with a fork and bake until brown, about 10 minutes. Once done put on a rack to cool.

Native American Seasoning and Ingredients

First off, the Indians only ate what they hunted and gathered. Fruits, nuts, corn, oysters, shrimp, fish,

waterfowl, bears, deer’s, bison, squash, beans, wild turnips, mushrooms, tree bark, herbs, so many wild

meats and veggies. Food was their medicines; they did not think of them as weeds. They did not eat

wheat, milk, beef, chicken, pig, butter, sugar, or dairy and chicken eggs before the settlers set up

themselves. When using eggs most of the Indians use duck and quail eggs. Oils and fats Sunflower oils

was made from seeds, hazelnut, walnut, and pumpkins seeds. Rendered fat from wild goose, bear and

duck oil was the choice for cooking.

After watching animals, they would follow them to a stream nearby to harvest mineral salts most of the

salts used were smoke over a fire to create smoke salt. Seasoning were foraged: juniper berries, Maple

sugar, sumac, cedar, ramps, bergamot, mint, mustard, mushrooms, bergamot, sage, and rose hips.

Culinary ash from juniper berries, cedar branches, corn, coltsfoot, and sage was used to blend for

seasoning.

A Recipe for Smoked Salt Cannabis Seasoning

After you strain your Cannabis oil or butter dehydrate the plant matter still dry. After it dries then place

into chopper. Add 1teaspoon of culinary ash, dried cedar branches, dried sage, 3 tablespoons of

smoked salt you can buy or make it, 1 teaspoon of dried mint, bergamot, and what other 1 teaspoon

dried herbs you choose. Blend all together in an herbal chopper and place inside a tight-fitting

container.

In Summary, Listening to the Ancestors

In this journey we call life we think we are the one in control telling our minds this and that, but we are

not. We must prepare our heart, soul, spirit, and mind to receive the inner wisdom of those who have

gone before us and reap their imprinted messages to aid us on earth. The messages also are received

through our nervous systems, intuition, images, colors, vision, hearing, wind, feeling, nature, symbols,

dreams, synchronicity, dance, and movements in the room. But one must have a clear relaxed mind to

feel the embodiment of messages and connection of their heightened senses. Through our senses the

nervous system will send messages and they will show up to communicate with our overall soul. When

we are in fear, doubt, stress and worry we do not receive the information, creativity, download, and

inspiration for our soul. The nervous system is our electricity for our soul.

I have lots of Native American Indian language metal signs in our backyard. One I am sharing right now

with you is HOZHO in the Navajo dialect means peace, beauty, harmony and balance. From the blog

https://bluffutah.org to be “in Hozho is to be at one with and a part of the world around you.

There are plants of the nervous system that will help you become able to hear from your ancestors loud

and clear. While ingesting herbal plants in a tea form, tincture, smoke or applying a topical cream for

transmitting information to your soul. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), a mother can drink this tea and

pass it to a nursing baby which will allow the baby’s nervous system to be calm. Cannabis (Cannabis

sativa), is excellent on calming the nerves, reducing inflammation, relieving pain and a nervous system

depressant. One of my favorite popular herbs used by the Native American Indians for relaxing and

calming the soul is Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora).

With this world we now live it is my hope and desires that you will be opened and welcoming to the

messages here from the Native American Indians.