Mi’kmaq Medicine

European Medicine Contemporary To First Contact

Four Humors Essentially, this theory held that the human body was filled with four basic substances, which are in balance when a person is healthy. The four humors were black bile, yellow bile, phlegm and blood All diseases and disabilities resulted from an excess or deficit of one of these four humors.

Superstition If you would get rid of the ague, go by night alone to a crossroads, and just as the clock is striking midnight turn round three times and drive a large nail into the ground up to the head. Walk backwards from the nail before the clock has finished the twelfth stroke. The ague will leave you, but will go to the person next to step on the nail.

Mi’kmaw Medicine Contemporary To First Contact

In Mi’kmaq beliefs, there are three apparent causes of disease: Physical Mental/Psychological Spiritual

Physical Actual physical sicknesses that were treated with regular natural medicines

Mental/Psychological  Usually related to repressed desires Or related to the  Three-part human (mind, body and soul)

Spiritual  Spirits entering the body  Curses

Buoins and Makers of Medicine The Mi’kmaw believe that they are the keepers of a sacred knowledge: the knowledge of the healing properties of the plants native to the maritime provinces. The Mi’kmaw recognized two types of physicians: 1. The Buoin 2. The Maker of Medicine

The Buoin A spiritual leader who could cure diseases with no apparent causes. The belief was that these diseases were caused by evil spirits and the buoin’s medicine existed mainly in the spiritual realm. The buoin was always male and was thought to be aided by a megumawesoo, or spirit guide. A buoin who cursed people and was considered evil was known as a ginap.

The Maker of Medicine Far less intimidating than the buoin This person was usually a respected grandmother to whom the knowledge of medicinal cures had been passed down through the ages. A maker of medicine would go into the forests, barrens and bogs and collect natural remedies according to the principles of Netukulimk Netukulimk is the “rules” governing the use of the natural bounty provided by the Creator

Mi’kmaw Makers of Medicine relied on four major types of medicines: Oral Medicines Vapours Salve Poultices

Oral Medicines: medicines blended, crushed or steeped in order to be taken by mouth (foods and teas) Vapours: medicines steeped in boiling water from which the steam is inhaled

Salves: medicines crushed into another medium such as goose grease and applied topically to the skin Poultices: medicines wrapped in a cloth and applied directly to an area