Exploring Traditional Medicines of Manitoba

quinnillustrations
Apr 20, 2025
5 min read

Updated: May 29, 2025

Indigenous communities of Turtle Island have a rich history of using traditional medicines for healing and wellness. Plant-based medicines and foods have been traditionally used in place of pharmaceuticals, to heal mind, body, and soul since time immemorial. These practices have been passed down through generations and continue to play a significant role in the culture and well-being of Indigenous peoples. Many of these medicines are hiding in plain sight in our own backyards and neighborhoods.

Top left: Tobacco | Top right: Sweetgrass | Bottom left: Sage | Bottom right: Cedar

Choose from the dropdown menu to explore Sacred Medicines, threatened, and endangered flora of Manitoba. Listed in Plains Cree, Syllabics, English, and then Linnaean taxonomy.

Sacred Medicines

ahpihc ᐊᐦᐱᐦᐨ "Tobacco" (Nicotiana rustica)
Used for healing, offerings, and many ceremonies - including the pipe ceremony which is known to be the most powerful way of speaking to the spirit world. Prior to colonization and tobacco distribution, the mixture of red willow bark and other plants is known as kinikinik ᑭᓂᑭᓂᐠ. During the pipe ceremony the men and women gather to pray as a collective. In some cultures - including the Stoney Nakoda peoples - only the men will smoke during the pipe ceremony. Women on their moon-time should refrain from entering the ceremony or touching sacred ceremonial items, this is because they are seen as such powerful life-givers that during their moon-time can draw energy from the ceremony. Offerings of ahpihc are given to the Earth when collecting medicine, and also as an offering to elders and knowledge-keepers. When tobacco is in a pouch, it's called ahpihcis ᐊᐦᐱᐦᒋᐢ
Wîhkaskwa ᐄᐧᐦᑲᐢᑲᐧ "Sweetgrass" (Hierochloe odorata)
Sweetgrass smoke symbolizes healing and peace. It is the representation of the hair of Mother Earth and is used as incense, fragrance, and offering of prayers and thanksgiving. During ceremony, sweetgrass is braided into three strands which represent mind, body, and spirit, and the braid is called wihkask. Hierochloe means "holy grass" and odorata means "fragrant".
Mâsikîsk ᒫᓯᑮᐢᐠ "White Cedar" (Thuja occidentalis)
The White Cedar is an evergreen conifer, meaning it stays green year-round and reproduces by cones instead of flowers. It can be found in most parts of Manitoba and have been used as traditional medicine by Native Americans since time immemorial. The young twigs and leaves are used to treat coughs, fever, headaches, intestinal parasites, and as a treatment for bronchitis. It's oils are used externally to treat burns, arthritis, gout, and skin conditions such as psoriasis and warts. It's thick smoke is used to keep evil spirits and negative energies away.
The White Cedar is actually considered a false cedar as it belongs to the cupressaceae (cypress) family and are not considered "true" cedars, which are of the cedrus (cedar) genus and pinae (pine) family. It is also known in Latin as arborvitae meaning “tree of life”
Paskwâwihkwaskwa ᐸᐢᑳᐧᐃᐧᐦᑲᐧᐢᑲᐧ "Sage"(Salvia apiana)
Also known as white sage or sacred sage, this medicine can be found in most parts of Manitoba. Often used before ceremonies to cleanse negative energies, the smoke of the Paskwâwihkwaskwa is guided towards the head - to clear negative thoughts and give space for good thoughts, to the eyes and ears so that we see and hear clearly, to the mouth in order to speak our truth, the heart so that it is open to love, and the bottoms of the feet so one can walk righteously. Everyone has a different method of smudging - some people cleanse their eyeglasses and remove jewelry. Smudging can be done alone or in groups and is often used after ceremonies as well.
kâhkâkîwâhtik ᑳᐦᑳᑮᐋᐧᐦᑎᐠ "Juniper" (Juniperus communis)
Directly translates into "raven-wood"
mâyimitos ᒫᔨᒥᑐᐢ "Balsam Poplar (cottonwood)" (Populus balsamifera)
sîpihkomin ᓰᐱᐦᑯᒥᐣ "Blueberry" (Vaccinium angustifolium {Northern MB} & Vaccinium myrtilloides {Southern MB})
Blueberries were always used as a source of vitamin C, which is exogenous (meaning that humans can't produce it on their own). Cree peoples use tea from the leaves to nourish pregnant women and their infant's health. The delicious fresh berries are a staple to their nutrition and can be dried for use during the long winter months. They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Indigenous knowledge about berry picking is valuable for knowing when to harvest, and how to care for the land. Blueberry rhizomes are underground and benefit from natural fires and controlled burns. Ancient techniques like cultural burning and saving seeds helps to keep berry bushes healthy. These practices support ecosystems, improve food security, and pruning helps protect plant diversity for future generations.
Takwahiminâhtik ᑕᑲᐧᐦᐃᒥᓈᐦᑎᐠ "Choke Cherries"
Wîsahkêcâhk omikiy ᐄᐧᓴᐦᑫᒑᕁ ᐅᒥᑭᕀ "Chaga" (Inonotus obliquus)
A medicinal fungus harvested from birch trees (waskwayâhtik) during the cold winter months, when the nutrients are at their highest and frozen in the scab-appearing fungus. Chaga has been used to promote wellness, boost immunity, and even ease stomach and skin problems when used as a supplement on foods or made into a tea. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidating properties, and is also believed to connect people to the spirit realm. Wîsahkêcâhk was a Cree culture hero, legendary figure, and trickster. Omikiy means a scab or crusted sore. Firekeepers use this medicine to start fires too! Click the dropdown 'resources' to hear the Ojibwe story of Nanabush & his Scabs, and the Cree's version "Wîsahkêcâhk and his Scabs" shadow puppet presentation.