Dinétah Azee'

Plant medicine is woven into our being from generations of tending and caring for the land. This medicine was harvested on Dinétah (Diné land) in Tótsohnii home lands of my partner and child. While harvesting piñon's for the season, we harvested medicines to support us this winter time, bitter medicine that boosts the immune system, but that can also be used externally, as grandma has shared, to support the respiratory pathways.

Piñon pine needles

This is a medicine for coughs, colds, fevers, and headaches, can be burned to open respiratory pathways and used topically as an analgesic, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory. The needles and sap of the tree are known to stimulate healing of wounds.

Juniper

Purifies the body, is a diuretic if taken internally. Juniper is supportive when there are colds. This medicine can also be healing to treating skin conditions. Juniper has six kinds of analgesic flavonoids and has been used to alleviate rheumatism.

Sagebrush

This is the epitome of bitter medicine, one leaf ingested provides an intensity of bitterness that is healing to the body. Sagebrush has antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that can support in healing skin conditions and relieve pain of the body. Sagebrush is known to contain camphor a compound that is widely used for relieving congestion and cough.

The combination of these medicines is an agreement that was birthed in the environment that they grow in, providing each other with a synergy of healing. The intention with this salve was that it can be used to open the respiratory pathways when congestion and a cough is present, and this medicine can also be used to heal the skin or superficial wounds.

Apply this respiratory salve to chest and back when you feel congestion or a cough coming on. This can be used every day as well to open the nasal passages, and allow the breath to expand the lungs. Rub the salve on your hands to melt the medicine, and place hands on nose taking a deep inhale, taking in the medicine of Dinétah.