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Table 2 Empirical Confirmation of Gitksan Medicinal Plant Uses Higher Than Level I

From: Gitksan medicinal plants-cultural choice and efficacy

Species/illnesses

Level

Number of Groups Using

Number of Consultants

Abies lasiocarpa

 

12

9

   respiratory illness

3

  

   tonic

2

  

Alnus incana/A. rubra

 

14/10*

2

skin ailments

3

 

2

Equisetum arvense/E.hiemale

 

5/12

1,1

   E. arvense diuretic, kidney

3 or 4

 

1

   /E. hiemale diuretic, kidney

2 or 3

 

1

Geum macrophyllum

 

11

1

   sores (if fungal)

3

  

Juniperus communis

 

27

8

   respiratory illness

3

  

   tonic

3

  

Nuphar polysepalum

 

10

17

   tuberculosis

2 or 3

  

Oplopanax horridus

 

36

29

   respiratory illnesses

2 or 3

 

4

   tuberculosis

2 or 3

 

4

   wound dressing

2

 

3

   skin wash

?2

 

2

   diabetes

?4

 

2

Picea glauca

 

36***

9**

   tonic

2

  

   respiratory illness

2

  

   wounds, sores, burns

2

  

Pinus contorta

 

24

9**

   colds and respiratory illness

2 or 3

  

   wounds, sores, burns

3

  

   "sickness"

2

  

Sambucus racemosa

 

22

5

   emetic

2 or ?4

  

Veratrum viride

 

27

14

   skin

2 or 3

 

2

   boils & swellings

2

 

****

   aches, pains (topical)

2

 

****

  1. * the numbers refer to Alnus incana- 14 reports and Alnus rubra- 10 reports
  2. ** includes both pine and spruce
  3. *** The spruce used by the Gitksan is a hybrid swarm derived from P. sitchensis, P. engelmannii and P. glauca.These three species together are used by 18 groups.
  4. **** These uses are reported in Harlan Smith's data from the 1920's [5] and were not provided by contemporary consultants.