Sister Sky Shares Native American Herbal Wisdom

Honoring a tradition of giving herbs for health and wellness, we include a small sachet of herbs as a gift in each internet order. Sister Sky shares herbal wisdom with every product we make and every order we ship. Wishing you wellness! -The Sisters of Sister Sky.

Native American Use of Herbs for Wellness are Being Awakened in American Culture.

Most Americans have forgotten or have never learned that our medical society originated from Native American cultures. Our society has neglected the fact that over- the- counter drugs and prescription drugs are derived from Native American herbs.

In the past doctors used to rely on Native American herbal resources such as leaves, berries, trees, roots, twigs, barks, and flowers to treat many illnesses (OAM 185). It was not until medical technology was advancing and becoming popular that people began to lose touch with their herbal heritage.

 Native Americans contribution to present day health and wellness is not a story often told.  Read more at

http://keller.clarke.edu/~english/honors/liz/

Seven of the 10 Most Popular Herbal Supplements Were Used by Native Americans.

The consumption of botanical supplements in the United States has been increasing at a rapid rate and this trend is expected to continue. In many cases, the original use of  the herbs for wellness appear to have come from Native Americans.
Seven of the 10 most common botanicals sold in the United States were used extensively by Native Americans.

Long before medical technology was available, pioneer doctors relied on Native American knowledge of nature to treat illness. Our ancestors freely shared their healing knowledge of plants, roots and berries with early settlers.  In fact, Native American herbal treatments were so effective, many have been refined into present day medicine.

Native American use of herbs for health and healing and the sharing of that knowledge is not often a story told. 

Read more about the Native American herbal legacy at http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/72/2/339.long#sec-2

The Herbal Legacy: WILLOW BARK

How WILLOW BARK works:  

Willow bark has a natural content of salicylic acid, which removes old and dead skin cells from your face and body; it helps your body make way for new and fresh skin cells.  Willow bark also offers anti-inflammatory properties, helping your body relieve swelling and sensitivity.   Willow bark helps your body improve the following skin conditions: dry, dull or lacking moisture. 

WILLOW BARK Native Roots:

• Native Americans used several varieties of the willow; they wove baskets with willow, used willow for pain and reducing fever. 

• The white willow bark was chewed by Native Americans to reduce fevers and relieve headache, white willow bark contains tannins, which are actually good for the digestion.

• The framework of the vapor-bath or sweat-lodge of the Native Americans was made of willow poles, bent and tied with their bark.

• For some Native Americans the willow was mystically connected with the departure of the spirit from the body at death; willow twigs had certain uses in funeral rites.

A Native American Herbal Legacy:

 

Long ago, before medical technology was available, pioneer doctors relied on Native American knowledge of nature to treat illness. Our ancestors freely shared their healing knowledge of plants, roots and berries with early settlers. In fact, Native American herbal treatments were so effective; many have been refined into present day medicine for your health and wellness.  

WILLOW BARK is a Native American legacy herb that is widely used today for your health benefit.  You will find willow bark extract in Sister Sky's White Willow: lotion, body wash, shampoo and conditioner. We hope you found this post an insightful blend of education and history.

Wishing you wellness.  -The Sisters of Sister Sky

 

The Herbal Legacy: YARROW

Our blog posts titled, "The Herbal Legacy" will highlight herbs that have long been recognized for their healing power.  In addition to explaining key health benefits of the herbs, we'll provide insight about the Native American history of using the herbs for health and wellness.

 

First up is YARROW.
 
How YARROW works:   Yarrow has powerful astringent (cleansing) effects. The plant is an antimicrobial, so it provides protection against infection.  Yarrow contains the following fatty and amino acids: isovaleric acid, salicylic acid, asparagin, sterols, flavonoids,  bitters, tannins, and coumarins.

• Fatty acids found in Yarrow boost the oxygen content in skin cells, aid cell membrane development, strength, and function. 
• Amino acids found in Yarrow provide the basic building blocks of proteins in the production of tissue thus skin has the ability to regenerate.
• Salicylic acid in Yarrow has analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. 
• Sterols and tannins in Yarrow have wound  healing and anti-inflammatory properties. 
• Flavonoids in Yarrow are vital antioxidants that protect against cell damaging free radicals.

 YARROW Native Roots: Native Americans  prepared Yarrow infusions to treat joint pain, eye infections, ear aches and as a cold remedy.

• Tribes from the Micmacs in the Maritimes to the Thompson Indians of British Columbia treated wounds, sores, and bruises with Yarrow.
• Utes pulverized the plant, Winnebagos used it in infusion, while others "prepared a powder for dusting on skin sores by roasting the leaves or stems until they were dry enough to be pulverized between stones." 
• Far to the north, Aleuts used the juice of yarrow leaves to stop bleeding.

A Native American Herbal Legacy: Long ago,  before medical technology was available, pioneer doctors relied on Native American knowledge of nature to treat illness. Our ancestors freely shared their healing knowledge of plants, roots and berries with early settlers. In fact, Native American herbal treatments were so effective, many have been refined into present day medicine.  

Yarrow is a Native American legacy herb that is widely used today for its health and wellness benefits.  We use Yarrow in Kevin's Cure Body Lotion and Body Wash. We hope you found this post an insightful blend of education and history.

Wishing you wellness.  -The Sisters of Sister Sky

EEEWW! Mosquitoes

Reprieve in Sister Sky Cedar Citrus Products 

Most mosquitoes are active at dawn and dusk but there are also mosquitoes that seek hosts during the day. You can avoid being bitten by making sure you:  

1) Are using a repellent.

2) Aren't attracting the pesky insects and

3) Avoiding actions that diminish the effectiveness of the repellent. 

Mosquito Attractants:  

• Dark clothes and plant foliage are initial attractants. 

 

• In addition to perfumes, hair products, and scented sunscreens, watch for the subtle floral fragrance from fabric softeners and dryer sheets. 

 

• Mosquitoes are attracted by perspiration because of the chemicals it contains and also because it increases the humidity around your body. Even small amounts of water (e.g., moist plants or standing water) will draw mosquitoes.  

Natural Repellents: 

Natural products will aide in repelling mosquitoes but they require frequent reapplication (at least every 1 hour).  Products that contain multiple repellents tend to be more effective than those containing a single ingredient.  For example:

Cedar Oil  

Cinnamon Oil                        

Rosemary Oil                        

Citronella Oil                         

Clove Oil  

 

Lemongrass Oil

 

Peppermint Oil   

 

Geranium Oil                     

*Put several drops of the oil(s) in with distilled water place in a glass spray bottle, shake and spray away! The 1 or 2 ounce spray bottles are perfect for personal use!  

To use as an ADDITIONAL natural repellent try:   

Sister Sky Cedar Citrus products offered in: lotion, body wash, shampoo and conditioner.

Enjoy the Summer Fun! 

For Real Sisters?

ARE THEY REALLY SISTERS?

Yes.  We really are (for 100% sure) true sisters.  We grew-up on the Spokane Indian Reservation, attended elementary and high school at a near by school district - a few miles off the reservation.  Upon graduation (not the same year of course) we each attended University.  Completed college degrees and returned back to our Spokane Tribal historical grounds - which is the City of Spokane, Washington.

Our Beloved Mother:

Our mother comes from the First Nations Pauquachin Band, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.  From which our lineage on her side hails from a long line of highly respected Tribal Chiefs and Women of Medicine, who carried the wisdom of plants, flowers and roots, which they used to aid in helping the ill become well.  Although we did not grow-up on our mother's First Nations Reserve, each summer we would cross-the-big-water to spend time with our most beloved family from Pauquachin.  Our mother moved back to her home (literally the home she grew up in) to aide her aging mother.  Our mother still resides at Pauquachin.   

Our Beloved Father:

Our father comes from the (Spa-Keen) Spokane Tribe, Washington, State.  From which our lineage on his side hails from a long line of highly respected Men of Medicine and Spiritual Songs.  Also from his side of our family comes resourceful entrepreneurs; individuals who thought of creative ways to make-ends-meet and individuals who were able to "move-in-both-worlds" by leaving the reservation to acquire paying jobs while simultaneously staying very much connected and proud of lineage, tradition and heritage.  The land which our father lives (which we grew up) is land his mother (and her four sisters) timber cleared with two-man saws. 

As Sisters:
We consider ourselves BLESSED to have each other during our journeys in life.  We pray daily the Creator help us be the best people we can be, with the intention of being giving, humble, positive people who are capable of "being a blessing to others". 

During our life journey (together ) we have experienced many varied seasons.   Some seasons filled with bright warm comforting sunshine - complete with birds singing beautiful songs and rainbows glowing over head, some of our seasons have been filled with blistering cold and uneasy darkness with no sounds of comfort for the ears, only the deafening silence of uncertainty. 

Thru our life seasons, we continue to CHOOSE and HONOR the Creators sacred gift of sisterhood, we choose to "stick-together", my silly sis always likes to call us "Thelma & Louise", which every time she says it, I laugh really big!  Definition of Sister: A girl or woman who shares a common ancestry, allegiance, character, or purpose with another or others.   Yup.  That's us.   
 

WHO IS SISTER SKY? 

A Native American owned company commited to creating products which embrace the beauty of indigeonous cultures for the purpose of sharing herbal wisdom. 

 

www.sistersky.com

 

 

Embrace Sisterhood Today!  ~ Marina