Medicinal Ethnobotany of the Ohlone people along the Central Coast of California

Kimberly Koller

3/1/2011

Abstract This paper presents a brief overview of Ohlone medical beliefs and uses of plants that were used

traditionally until the late nineteenth century. All of the information provided is based on the

unpublished field notes of John Peabody Harrington recorded in the 1920’s and 1930’s from the Rumsen

and Mutsun language groups of central California in the Ohlone district. I present an overview of the

culture followed by a summary of information on the ethnographic uses of 24 plant species . My goal of

this paper is to convey a sense of appreciation and reintegration of cultural uses of native plants by the

Ohlone people.

Medicinal Ethnobotany of the Ohlone people along the Central Coast of California

Kimberly Koller Date: 3/1/2011

Submitted to the Environmental Studies Department in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts Degree”

Table of Contents Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………...1 Culture………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4 Cultivation…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4 Religion and Theories on Disease ………………………………………………………………………….5 Concoctions…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..6 Project……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6 Plants and their medicinal properties…………………………………………………………………….7

1)Woolly Angelica (Angelica tomentosa)……………………………………….8

2)Yarrow (Achillea millifolium)……………………………………………………..9

3)California Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana)……………………………10

4) Blue Elderberry (Sambucus mexicana)…………………………………… 11

5) Wild cucumber (Marah macrocarpus)…………………………………….12

6) Bearberry, Kinniknnik (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)…………………….13

7)Yerba Santa (Eridictyon californicum)………………………………………14

8)Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)………………………………………………15

9) Yerba Buena (Satureja douglasii)………………………………………………16

10) White Sage (Salvia apiana)…………………………………………………….17

11) Black Sage (Salvia mellifera)………………………………………………… .18

12) Chia (Salvia columbariae)……………………………………………………….19

13) Coyote Mint (Monardella villosa)………………………………………… 20

14)California Bay (Umbellularia californica)……………………………….21

15) Soap Root (Chlorogalum pomeridianum)…………………………… 22

16) Coffeeberry (Rhamnus californica)……………………………………….23

17) Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)………………………………………… 24

18) California Wild Rose (Rosa californica)………………………………….25

19) Fringed Rue (Ruta chalepensis)…………………………………………….26

20) Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica)……………………………………27

21) California Figwort (Scrophularia californica)………………………… 28

22) Jimsonweed (Datura wrightii)……………………………………………….29

23) Indian Tobacco (Nicotiana quadrivalvis)………………………………..30

24) Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)………………………………………………..31

Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….32 Glossary…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………34 Annotated bibliography ………………………………………………………………………………………..35

1

Introduction

The ancestors of the Ohlone also known as the Costanoan, inhabited the central

coast of California roughly 4000 years ago and were present until 1768 (Haff et al 2008). When

the Spanish colonized California in the 17th century, the Ohlone inhabited the area from San

Francisco, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Monterey through to the lower Salinas valley (Kroeber

1976). There were various dialects from one group to another, thus making is difficult to come

up with a name from the natives themselves. The Spanish setters called this group of tribes

Costaños which later became Costanoan meaning coast people (Kroeber 1976). The name

Costanoan never was never officially accepted by the natives, they preferred to be called

Ohlone (Margolin 1978). In 1770, approximately 10,000 Costanoans occupied the central coast

in 40 distinct tribelets (Bocek 1984).

The Ohlone were comprised of many, distinct groups of people with different social

structures, languages and village locations. The Ohlone had approximately 40 different groups

with separate divisions of territory with different chiefs in each division (Margolin 1978).

Anthropologists classified the groups as the Ohlone because they share a common root

language. An estimated eight different languages, including the Mutsun and Rumsen, were

spoken within the Ohlone nation.

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Copyright (C) Mustafaa Map based on the main Ohlone Language regions noted by Kroeber (1925)

Spanish colonization in California had detrimental effects on the Ohlone people. By the

early 19th century, the Spanish settlers established seven missions within the Ohlone territory.

The missionaries often lured the people in with gifts brought from Europe. Once baptized, the

natives became property of the mission and were subject to harsh conditions and hard labor

(Margolin 1978). The missionaries forced people of different divisions together and established

one dialect per mission. This resulted in disease, loss of cultural knowledge, and by the end of

the mission period in the 1830s, fewer than 2,000 Ohlone people remained (Bocek 1984).

The colonization of the Spanish also had lasting impacts on the surrounding landscapes. The use

of wildfire as a landscape management tool became drastically less frequent due to the

involvement of the Ohlone members in the missions. The conversion of land into agriculture

3

permanently destroyed many wild grasslands, marshes and woodlands (Haff et al 2008). By the

early 20th century when anthropologists began studying the Ohlone, the tribes had mixed into

California’s Mexican American community and most of the languages and plant knowledge

were lost. By the turn of the century, less than 12 elders remembered the once eight languages

that were spoken in the region (Bocek 1984).

Long after the missions, a select few remaining Ohlone members remembered the uses

of important plant species (Bocek 1984). During the 1920s and 1930s an ethnologist named

John Pea Harrington conducted fieldwork on the Rumsen and Mutsun language groups, whose

territories included Upper Santa Clara valley, the Pajaro River drainage, and the lower Carmel

and Salinas River Valley (Bocek 1984). Harrington noted more than 500 plant specimens

gathered by a number of inhabitants. By the time Harrington collected plant information from

the remaining Ohlone members, many plants had been introduced and established as part of

the California native flora (Bocek 1984). The Ohlone used many of the introduced plants in their

medicinal plant collection, providing a combination of aboriginal and acquired beliefs about

native and introduced plants. This paper summarizes the cultural believes and practices of

Rumsen and Mutsun language groups of the Ohlone. I start with a brief overview of their

culture, religion, and cultivation of plants, and then provide a detailed description of 24

common plants both native and non-native that were used medicinally. The uses of plants were

a major constituent in the Native American culture. The Ohlone have many different uses of

plants both for medicinal and non-medicinal purposes. In order to appreciate the choice and

uses of plants used medicinally, an understanding of the cultural values, religion and theories of

4

diseases, and the cultivation of plants is crucial. My goal of this paper is to convey a sense of

value in native plants that were used medicinally by the Ohlone.

Culture

The Ohlone traded regularly with other tribes, and maintained minimal conflict between

neighboring tribes (Haff et al. 2008). The Ohlone were mainly hunter-gatherers that practiced

husbandry of the land by regularly having controlled fires for the increase of plant yields. The

Ohlone had a consistent diet of acorns, nuts, berries, salmon, mussels, abalone and seaweed

(Kroeber 1976). The Ohlone lived in dome shaped houses made from poles covered with brush

or Tule matting. The men typically were naked in warm weather and the women wore Tule

skirts or skirts made from deerskin. Both the men and the women had ornamental tattoos on

their faces (Kroeber 1976).

Cultivation

The Ohlone relied on plants and animals for survival. They actively managed their landscape

through the tending of plants and the frequent use of fire. Some plant species were deliberately

pruned or burned to encourage the seed growth of various species, which would be used for

food, herbs and medicine. Women would directly weed specific areas around slough sedge for

rhizome stimulation needed for making baskets (Anderson 2005). Plant gathering was a

complex system that took into account aspects such as plant properties, cultivation strategies

and environmental conditions to ensure minimal animal or pathogen competition (Anderson

2005) The plants utilized by the Ohlone included, grasses, shrubs, trees and various herbs. The

5

Ohlone would harvest plants at various times of the year for maximum plant benefits (Margolin

1978).

Religion and theories on disease

The Ohlone practiced a religion called shamanism. The shamans are

medicine persons of both male and female gender that have direct contact with spiritual beings

(Smith 1999). The connection with the spirit world enables the shamans to obtain their mystical

knowledge and power (Margolin 1978). In order to become a shaman, a concoction made from

a psychoactive plant commonly called Jimsonweed (Datura meteloides) was ingested to acquire

supernatural powers (Smith 1999). A shaman was expected to heal and prevent illness and

commonly sucked the disease out of the patient’s body with their lips or a piece of bone

(Kroeber 1976). Shamans were said to have also been powerful enough to control the weather

(Kroeber1976).

The Ohlone believed that all unusual illnesses, whether it was a persistent or major illness

or not, came from supernatural agencies or a bad shaman that would deliberately shoot an

object into the sick person’s body, such as a fingernail from a dead person or a pebble

(Margolin 1978). Common illnesses such as colds, headaches, rashes, sores, fractures and

rheumatism were said to be self-treatable without the assistance from a shaman. These

common illnesses were treated by utilizing and harvesting local medicinal plants. However if

the common illness persisted or became an unusual illness, shamans were usually consulted.

(Smith 1999).

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Concoctions

The Ohlone had several ways of preparing plant medicines both externally and internally.

External treatments included salves, pastes, powders, soaks and poultices. Internal treatments

involved teas, smoking parts of the plant, chewing on roots, bark or leaves, and purgatives

(Smith 1999). The type of illness would determine what method of treatment to use. A

decoction is the extraction of chemicals from a plant through boiling or simmering and was one

of the most common methods for utilizing plants medicinally. Some plants had multiple uses

while others were used for a specific ailment. Some the plants with multiple uses included:

Yerba Santa (Eridictyon californicum), Black sage (Salvia mellifera), and the California Wild Rose

(Rosa californica), (Smith 1999). These plants were used to treat illnesses ranging from common

colds to limb paralysis. After European colonization and the introduction of non-native plants,

the Ohlone adopted plants such as Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis ) and Rue (Ruta chalepensis)

as multiple ailment plants (Smith 1999).

Project

The Ohlone had many different uses of plants for medicinal and non-medicinal purposes.

Inspired by the knowledge the Ohlone had about various plants, I planted a small herb bed in

the foundational roots garden at the University of California Santa Cruz. The species of herbs

that I chose consisted of plants that are commonly seen throughout the campus in the wild and

in campus gardens, the Arboretum and the Farm. The plants I chose included: White Sage

7

(Salvia apiana), Soap root (Chlorogalum pomeridianum), Yerba Buena (Satureja douglasii),

California Wild Rose (Rosa californica), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Coffeeberry (Rhamnus

californica), Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), and Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana).I chose

these species due to their usage to treat multiple ailments. These plants are widely distributed

throughout California and are commonly found in domesticated gardens and in relatively

undisturbed areas. The goal of my project is to reintegrate cultural uses of local plants that

were used medicinally in the Ohlone herbal pharmacopoeia. Interested students and persons

will be able to observe and learn what the plants were used for through interpretive signs. The

uses of the plants are not encouraged out of respect for the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band who

wishes to share limited information regarding the medicinal uses of plants. All of the

information provided throughout the paper is for educational purposes only and should not to

be taken as a resource for commercial exploitation.

Plants and their medicinal properties

Apiaceae ( Parsley Family)

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Copyright © 2004 Doreen L. Smith (CalPhotos) Angelica tomentosa- Woolly Angelica Woolly Angelica- Angelica tomentosa- Apiaceae (Parsley family)

Spanish- Chuchupate Mutson/ Rumsen- kuutris

Description: Woolly Angelica is a dicot and perennial herb that is native to California.

The plant is robust with long hairs. The plant has glabrous to hairy inflorescences in bractlets.

The leaves are in threes and are triangular- ovate shaped. Angelica tends to flower between the

months of June through September (Jepson 1993).

Distribution and habitat: Wooly Angelica can be found throughout California;

however, the plant tends to be found in chaparral communities, redwood forest, mixed

evergreen and yellow pine communities (Angelica tomentosa Calflora Database; 2011)

Medicinal uses: The Ohlone would burn the dried twigs of the plant and beat them on

aching joints. Juice was expelled from heated leaves and applied to sores around the body. The

roots were also chewed to relieve stomachache and tea made from the roots was drunk for

menstrual cramps as well as stomachaches. Often the roots were burned and inhaled as a

remedy for headaches (Bocek 1984: 251).

Asteraceae (Sunflower family)

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© 2001 Jeff Abbas (CalPhotos) Achillea millefolium Yarrow, Common Yarrow

Yarrow Achillea millifolium Asteraceae ( Sunflower family) Spanish- Yerba de la muela Mutsun/Rumsen- unknown

Description: Yarrow is an aromatic perennial herb in the Sunflower family. The leaves

on a yarrow plant are fern-like and alternate. The inflorescences have small heads of white to

pink flowers, in flat-topped rayed clusters. Yarrow typically flowers in the months of March

through October (Foster 2002:86).

Distribution and habitat: Yarrow is found in dry to moist open places near the woods

and sometimes in disturbed locations such as roadsides. Yarrow is commonly found throughout

California and North America (Foster 2002: 86)

Medicinal use: Typically yarrow was used both as an internal and external

treatment. A decoction made from the leaves was used to alleviate stomachaches and to wash

sores. Leaves were heated and held over wounds for the prevention of swelling and were held

in the mouth for tooth-aches (Bocek 1984: 254). A poultice was often made from leaves, and

applied to joints and to the chest during a cold. Dried stems and leaves were also used to stop

bleeding. Yarrow contains chemicals such as hemostatic compounds that act as an anti-

inflammatory (Foster 2002: 86)

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© 2002 Lynn Watson (CalPhotos) Artemisia douglasiana California Mugwort

California Mugwort – Artemisia douglasiana- Asteraceae (Sunflower family) Spanish-Estafiate Mutsun/ Rumsen- hiisen or xiisen

Description: Mugwort is an aromatic perennial herb with alternate leaves. The

leaves are gray-green and hairless on the surface, but densely woolly underneath the leaf. The

flowers are greenish yellow with nodding heads. Mugwort flowers in the months between June

and October (Foster 2002: 244).

Distribution and habitat: Mugwort is typically found in open and shady areas such as

fields, forest edges, and stream banks throughout California, Washington, and low as Baja

California (Foster 2002: 244).

Medicinal use: Mugwort was used to treat respiratory and ear disorders. A decoction

was made from the leaves to treat urinary problems and asthma. Hot compresses of mugwort

leaves were used on wounds to treat pain from rheumatism. Heated leaves were also held over

ear for earaches (Bocek 1984: 254). Other neighboring tribes had different uses for the herb.

The Salinan tribe used the leaves to treat burns and infections. The Chumash tribe chewed the

leaves to relieve toothaches, and smoke was inhaled to promote healthy sleep and sacred

dreams (Timbrook 2007: 37-39).

Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle family)

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© 2002 Lynn Watson (CalPhotos) Sambucus mexicana Blue Elderberry

Blue Elderberry- Sambucus mexicana- Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle family) Spanish-Sau´co Mutsun/Rumsen- unknown

Description: Blue elderberry is a dicot tree or shrub with pinnately compound leaves.

The tree has numerous flowers creamy white and yellow in color with flat-topped clusters. The

tree bears fruit that has a bluish tinge with waxy white film between the months of April

through August (Foster 2002: 273).

Distribution and habitat: Blue elderberry can be found throughout California in yellow

pine forest communities dispersed among lodge pole pines, subalpine forest oak woodland and

in pinyon juniper woodland habitat (Sambucus mexicana Calflora Database; 2011)

Medicinal use: The wood from the elderberry tree was often used for tools and musical

instruments (Timbrook 1984: 195). A decoction made from the leaves was used to treat colds

and reduce fevers. A decoction was also used as a purgative. Flowers of the elderberry were

gathered and dried in the sun, and made into a tea to induce sweating (Bocek 1984: 254)

Cucurbitaceae (Gourd family)

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© 2003 Michael Charters (CalPhotos) Marah macrocarpus Wild Cucumber

Wild cucumber- Marah macrocarpus Cucurbitiaceae ( Gourd family) Spanish- Chillcote Mutsen/Rumsen- unknown

Description: Wild cucumber is a perennial vine with alternate leaves that are

palmately lobed. Wild cucumber produces star shaped flowers. This vine typically

flowers in the months of January through April. Wild cucumber produces fruit in the

spring that are oval shaped and gourd like covered in spikes (Foster 2002:370)

Distribution and habitat: Wild cucumber is often found in open areas, in

canyons and washes. Wild cucumber is distributed throughout California and as far

south as Baja California (Foster 2002:370)

Medicinal use: Wild cucumber was mainly used to treat skin ailments. A paste

was made from the seeds to treat pimples and skin sores (Bocek 1984: 251). Wild

cucumber contains saponins which can act as a natural detergent. A lather made from

the roots and water was applied as a shampoo and was said to have stimulated hair

growth (Smith 1999). The Chumash tribe also used wild cucumber for a number of

things. Pregnant women would drink hot water with a little paste made from the wild

cucumber for blood, in order to have a healthy birth (Timbrook 2007: 122).

Ericaceae (Health family)

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© 2007 California Native Plant Society (CalPhotos) Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Bearberry

Bearberry, Kinniknnik Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Ericaceae (Heath family) Spanish- Gayuba Mutsen/Rumsen- tcuttus

Description: Bearberry is a perennial evergreen, mat-forming plant. The leaves

are shiny and leathery. Flowers are white to pinkish in color. The flowers are small and urn

shaped. Bearberry produces small red berries that develop in the late summer. Typically,

bearberry flowers in the months of March through June (Foster 2002: 276).

Distribution and habitat: Bearberry is typically found in rocky and sandy soils, but it

prefers well-drained soils of forests and sand dunes. Bearberry can be found in California

through to Alaska, and in Eurasia (Foster 2002:276).

Medicinal use: The fruits of the bearberry plant were eaten or made into cider for

winter use (Bocek 1984: 252). The bark was used as an astringent and antiseptic for kidney and

urinary tract disorders (Foster 2002: 276). Sometimes a decoction made from leaves was used

to relieve bladder ailments (Bocek 1984: 252).

Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf family)

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© 2004 Laura Ann Eliassen (CalPhotos) Eriodictyon californicum California Yerba Santa

Yerba Santa Eridictyon californicum Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf family) Spanish- Yerba Santa Mutsun/Rumsen- unknown

Description: Yerba Santa is an aromatic evergreen. The shrub has sticky, hairless

stems and leathery leaves. Yerba Santa produces sticky purple to white flowers in clusters. The

flowers typically bloom in the months of May through August (Foster 2002: 278)

Distribution and habitat: Yerba Santa is typically found in dry rocky slopes, and

ridges. It can also be found throughout chaparral communities as well as redwood communities

throughout California and Oregon (Foster 2002: 278).

Medicinal use: The leaves of Yerba Santa were often woven into skirts and

aprons by women. The leaves of the plant were used to treat headaches. The leaves were

heated and held on the forehead until the headache was fully suppressed (Bocek 1984; 253).

The leaves were also chewed or smoked for asthma, rheumatism, tuberculosis and blood

purification (Bocek 1984; 253). A tea made from the leaves was used as an eyewash and to

treat common cold symptoms. The bark from the yerba santa was powdered and made into a

salve and applied to infected sores around the body (Bocek 1984; 253).

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Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Copyright © 2007 Louis-M. Landry (CalPhotos) Melissa officinalis Lemon Balm Lemon Balm –

Melissa officinalis- Lamiaceae ( Mint family ) –European Spanish- Toronjil Mutsun/ Rumsen- unknown

Description: Lemon Balm is an aromatic perennial herb with opposite ovate leaves and

square stems. Square stems and opposite leaves are a common characteristic of the mint family

(Elpel 1967: 18). The plant produces small white flowers that are sometimes pale lavender in

color. The inflorescences are in pairs. Lemon balm typically flowers in the months of June

through September (Foster 2002: 55).

Distribution and habitat: Lemon Balm is not native to California. The plant was introduced

during European colonization and is now widespread throughout western and eastern America.

Lemon balm can typically be found in disturbed places, and open woods. (Foster 2002: 55)

Medicinal use: Lemon balm is an example of an introduced plant that was adopted by the

people and used as part of their herbal pharmacopoeia. The Ohlone would make a decoction of

the leaves to treat infant colic. Lemon balm was thought to be a sedative. A tea made from the

leaves was used to treat stomachaches. Sometimes the tea was boiled with orange peels and

blossoms and drunk to alleviate heart pains (Bocek 1984: 253).

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© 2010 Bing Huey (CalPhotos) Satureja douglasii Yerba Buena Yerba Buena-

Satureja douglasii Lamiaceae( Mint family) Spanish- Yerba buena Mutsun/Rumsen- unknown

Description: Yerba buena is an aromatic perennial herb. The plant grows like an

understory vine that does not exceed 1 foot in height. Yerba buena has opposite leaves and

square stems like other species in the mint family. The flowers are small white or purple tinge

and tend to bloom between the months of May through August (Foster 2002:59).

Distribution and habitat: Yerba Buena tends to be found in shady areas such as

woodlands, chaparral communities, and along some coast ranges. Yerba Buena is common

throughout California, Montana, and Idaho (Foster 2002:59).

Medicinal use: The Ohlone used the yerba buena in a number of ways. It is said that a

decoction of leaves was used to treat pinworms and gastrointestinal disorders, and was

successful in promoting menstrual flow (Timbrook 2007: 199). The leaves were often held in the

mouth or on the outer jaw to alleviate various forms of toothaches (Bocek 1984: 253). Teas

made from the leaves were used to treat colds and fevers (Timbrook 2007:199).

17

© 2008 Thomas Stoughton (CalPhotos) Salvia apiana White Sage

White Sage- Salvia apiana- Lamiaceae (Mint family) European Spanish- Salvia Mayor Mutson/ Rumsen- unknown

Description: White Sage is a strongly aromatic herb with white velvety, opposite leaves

that are oblong basal shaped. The flowers on the white sage are white to lavender in color and

in whorls. White sage flowers in the months of April through July (Foster 2002:270).

Distribution and habitat: White Sage prefers dry and sandy terrain, and is found in

rocky areas. White sage is typically found growing in chaparral communities, along coastal

slopes southern and northern California and can be found as far south as Baja California (Foster

2002:270).

Medicinal use: White sage was used medicinally in a number of ways. A tea was made

from leaves to treat a persistent cough. White sage was also burned as a purifying incense at

ceremonies or before a sweat in the sweat lodge from dried leaves in order to achieve spiritual

balance and harmony (Timbrook 2007:186). Although white sage is commonly used among the

Rumsen/ Mutsun and other neighboring tribes such as the Chumash, Harrington did not have

any notes regarding the plant. It is unclear as to how the Ohlone adopted the plant into their

herbal pharmacopoeia (Timbrook 2007: 186).

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© 2004 Dr. Daniel L. Geiger (CalPhotos) Salvia mellifera Black Sage

Black Sage- Salvia mellifera- Lamiaceae (Mint family) Spanish- Salvia Mutsun/ Rumsen- unknown

Description: Black sage is an aromatic evergreen herb. The stems of the plant are

thick with dense soft light gray hairs. The leaves are oblong shaped with a smooth green surface

and woolly hairs underneath the leaf. During the spring, black sage has a series of bluish

lavender flowers clustered in whorls. Black Sage typically flowers in the months of March

through April (Foster 2002: 271).

Distribution and habitat: Black sage is typically found in dry areas along the coastal

sage scrub, throughout the chaparral communities, on dry slopes and on hillsides. Black sage is

common throughout California down to Baja California (Foster 2002: 271).

Medicinal use: Black sage was used both internally and externally for medicinal

treatments. A decoction made from the leaves was drunk as a cough suppressant. The leaves

were heated and used in baths to treat paralysis. Heated leaves were also held in ear to reduce

earaches (Bocek 1984: 253). Green fresh leaves were chewed to alleviate gas pains and

wrapped around the neck to treat sore throats. Leaves were often soaked in water to treat

heart pains or heart disorders (Bocek 1984; 253)

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© 1998 Christopher L. Christie (CalPhotos) Salvia columbariae Chia Sage

Chia- Salvia columbariae- Lamiaceae (Mint family) Spanish- Chia Mutsen/Rumsen- patti or patx

Description: Chia is an annual herb with basal shaped leaves. Chia produces

small pale to deep blue flowers in dense whorls on tall leafless stalks. Chia typically

flowers in the months of March through June (Foster 2002: 209)

Distribution and habitat: Chia is typically found in dry open disturbed sites,

along hillsides, in deserts, and around coast ranges. Chia is dispersed throughout

California, as far south as Baja California, Mexico, Utah, Arizona and Nevada (Foster

2002: 209).

Medicinal use: The Ohlone men, in particular, ritually sweat bathed in the

sweathouse, which exposed them excessive amounts of smoke. Since the sweathouses

had no openings the room would fill up with smoke, which was likely the cause of many

ailments such as eye irritations, throat and lung disorders (Smith 1999). The seeds from

the chia plant are gelatinous and form a sticky residue. This residue was placed on eye to

remove foreign particles that might irritate the eyes. The seeds were also mixed in water

and drunk to reduce fever (Bocek 1984: 253).

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© 2005 David A. Tharp (CalPhotos) Monardella villosa Coyote Mint

Coyote Mint- Monardella villosa- Lamiaceae (Mint family) Spanish- Poleo Mutsen/Rumsen- unknown

Description: Coyote mint is a strongly aromatic hairy perennial herb. The herb

has the mint characteristics of having square stems and opposite leaves. Coyote mint

produces red to purple flowers in a cup like shape. Typically, coyote mint flowers in the

months of May through September (Foster 2002: 173)

Distribution and habitat: Coyote mint tends to dwell in dry open places, on rocky

slopes, and in the desert mountains. Coyote mint is found throughout California and

other western states (Foster 2002: 173)

Medicinal use: The Ohlone would use coyote mint both externally and internally.

A decoction was made from leaves to aid in respiratory problems. Small shallow cuts

were made on a patients back where coyote mint leaves were compressed and placed

on cuts to draw out bad blood as a treatment for pneumonia (Bocek 1984: 253)

Lauraceae (Laurel family)

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© 2003 Michael Charters (CalPhotos) Umbellularia californica California Bay

California Bay- Umbellularia californica- Lauraceae (Laurel family) Spanish- Laurel Mutsen/Rumsen- sokkochi or sokkoch

Description: California Bay is an evergreen tree. The bark has a reddish brown

color. The leaves on the California Bay are leathery in texture, aromatic and are elliptical

shaped. The flowers have a yellowish green color in an umbel like shape. In autumn, this

tree produces small yellowish fruits. California Bay flowers in the months of November

through April (Foster 2002: 340).

Distribution and habitat: California Bay trees are commonly found in canyons,

valleys, chaparral communities, and in open slopes. Bay trees are distributed throughout

California and Oregon (Foster 2002:340).

Medicinal use: The fruit of the California Bay were commonly eaten within

the Ohlone nation. Often time the kernels were either roasted for consumption or

ground into flour for cakes (Bocek 1984:249).The smoke from burning leaves was said to

rid someone of fleas. Damp leaves were held on the forehead to treat common

headaches. A decoction was also made from the leaves to alleviate poison oak (Bocek

1984; 249). California bay leaves contain a chemical called safrole, which can cause liver

carcinogen (Foster2002: 340)

22

Liliaceae (Lily family)

Copyright © 2004 Carol W. Witham (CalPhotos) Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. pomeridianum Wavyleaf Soap root

Wavy leaf Soap-root- Chlorogalum pomeridianum- Liliaceae (lily family)

Spanish- Amole Mutsun/Rumsen- torrow or torow Description: Soap root is a perennial hairless monocot herb. The herb has fibrous scales,

with long and basal shaped leaves that are generally wavy. The herb has small flowers with

linear petals that have a purple or green midvein. Soap root is grown from a small white or

brown bulb that is fibrous. This plant produces round fruits between March and August (Foster

2002: 29)

Distribution and habitat: Soap root can found in dry open hills, grasslands, banks,

valleys, coast ranges and the northern sierra in California (Foster 2002:29)

Medicinal use: The soap root plant was used for a number of ailments, as well as other

non-medicinal uses such as soap, fish poison and hair brushes. Soap root bulbs were dug up in

the springtime and were taken into the village. The fibers were removed and set aside for other

uses such as brushes (Timbrook 2007: 56). Once the fibers were removed the bulb and the stem

were pounded into a paste which was used as a soap to alleviate dandruff (Bocek 1984: 255).

The juice from the root of the soap root was also used as a purgative. The bulbs contain

saponin, which is a chemical that produces a soap like lather when mixed with water. Saponin is

not easily absorbed in our digestive system but can be broken down through cooking however,

it can sometimes irritate our mucous membrane (Elpel 1967:200)

23

Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn family)

© 2002 Lynn Watson (CalPhotos) Rhamnus californica California Coffeeberry

Coffeeberry- Rhamnus californica Rhamnaceae-(Buckthorn family) Spanish- Yerba del oso Mutsun/Rumsen- purruc or puruuric

Description: Coffeeberry is an evergreen shrub with thick leathery leaves. The

leaves are finely toothed with a bright greenish yellow vein beneath leaf. The flowers of the

Coffeeberry are green to white is color with fiver petals and are distributed in small clusters

Coffeeberry typically flowers in the months of May through July. The fruit of this shrub are red

in color and turn black with maturity (Foster 2002:315).

Distribution and habitat: Coffeeberry shrubs are found on hillsides, throughout

ravines, in chaparral woodland communities and dispersed in the coastal sage communities.

Coffeeberry is distributed throughout California, in Oregon, Nevada and Arizona (Foster 2002:

315)

Medicinal use: The Ohlone would use coffeeberry for external and internal

treatments. A decoction made from the leaves was used to treat poison oak. A decoction made

from the inner bark of the shrub w used as a purgative and as a laxative. The berries would be

eaten in order to induce vomiting. (Bocek 1984; 250). Other tribes had use for this plant as well.

The Chumash would rub the leaves on their skin to treat rheumatism and bathe in a decoction

of the leaves to treat poison oak (Timbrook 2007: 164).

24

Rosaceae (Rose family)

J. E.(Jed) and Bonnie McClellan© 1999 California Academy of Sciences (CalPhotos) Heteromeles arbutifolia Toyon, Christmas Berry

Toyon- Heteromeles arbutifolia Roseaceae (Rose family) Spanish- Toyon Mutsen/Rumsen- totchon or tootoni

Description: Toyon is an evergreen shrub with gray bark and stiff leathery leaves.

The leaves are typically dark green in color with red patches, and a pale green color on the

understory of the leaf. Toyon trees have numerous flowers, which are white in color and flat

topped. Toyon produces bright red fruit in clusters. The shrub typically flowers in the months of

April through July (Foster 2002: 286).

Distribution and habitat: Toyon is often found in chaparral and woodland

communities but it can also be found in mixed evergreen forests. Toyon shrubs are dispersed

throughout southern and northern California (Foster 2002: 286).

Medicinal use: The berries of the Toyon were dried or toasted and eaten (Bocek

1984; 249). A tea was made to treat irregular or suppressed menses in women. The bark from

the tree was often used in a tea to treat stomachaches (Bocek 1984; 249).

25

© 2003 Lynn Watson (CalPhotos) Rosa californica California Wildrose

California Wild Rose

Rosa californica Rosaceae (Rose family) Spanish- Mamauco Mutsun/Rumsen- mamakwa

Description: California wild rose is a deciduous shrub that forms thickets. The

leaves are pinnately compound, in 5 ovate and toothed leaflets. The flowers of the rose shrub

are typically pink in color, and pubescent on back of the sepals. The California wild rose has a

red rose hip. The flowers bloom between the months of May through September (Foster 2002:

298).

Distribution and habitat: California wild rose shrubs are found in moist areas, and

are typically found near stream-banks and throughout canyons. California wild rose is

distributed as far south as Baja California through northern California (Foster 2002: 298).

Medicinal use: The flowers of the shrub were used to treat colds and fevers from a

tea combined with rattlesnake weed and Mava root (Smith 1999). To aid sore throats or

swollen tonsils, California wild rose flowers were cooked in water and gargled. A tea made

from the flower petals was used to treat indigestion and kidney problems (Bocek 1984: 249). A

paste made from toasted flowers in oil or animal fat was applied as a salve to muscle and joint

aches, and on scabs and sores. A paste made from cooked blossoms was applied on the skin to

treat sunburns (Smith 1999).

Rutaceae (Rue family)

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© 2006 Luigi Rignanese (CalPhotos) Ruta chalepensis Fringed Rue Ruta chalepensis- Rutaceae (Rue family)European Spanish- Ruda Mutsen/Rumsen- unknown

Description: Rue is an aromatic evergreen shrub with bipinnate leaves. The leaves

are feathery and bluish green in color. Rue produces yellow flowers with 4-5 petals. Rue

typically flowers in the months of March through May (Jepson 1993: 988)

Distribution and habitat: Fringed rue is native to the Eurasia and north Africa area,

but is distributed in California especially near the coast (Jepson 1993: 988). Fringed rue prefers

habitats that are dry or sandy or with rocky ridges.

Medicinal use: Rue was introduced during European colonization. The Ohlone

adopted Rue as part of their herbal pharmacopoeia and used it for a number of ailments (Smith

1999). Salves made from the leaves were used for treating paralysis. Decoctions from the leaves

were also used to treat stomach pains as well as coughs. The leaves were also placed inside ear

to treat earaches (Bocek 1984:252)

Saururaceae (Lizard tail)

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Copyright © 1998 California Academy of Sciences (CalPhotos) Anemopsis californica Yerba Mansa

Yerba Mansa- Anemopsis californica – Saururaceae (Lizard tail family) Spanish- Yerba del manso Mutson/Rumsen-unknown

Description: Yerba mansa is a perennial herb with thick rhizomes. The plant has large

smooth leaves that are basal shaped. The plant has white spiked bracts that are often red

tinged or spotted. The inflorescence often resembles a single flower (Foster 2002: 19).

Distribution and habitat: Yerba mansa can be found in wet, moist areas, in saline or

alkaline soils and usually around coastal marshes, seeps or springs. It is distributed from Baja to

south California, from the Colorado river, to Texas, and Mexico (Foster 2002: 19).

Medicinal use: A decoction was made from the roots and was used for treating menstrual

cramps, general pain, as an antiseptic as well as an anti-inflammatory medium. A tea was made

from the leaves to wash sores, to suppress coughs and to bathe general pains (Bocek 1984;

250). This was a great medicine to the Ohlone however, if too much of the herb was used that it

could cause damage to the liver (Timbrook 2007: 29). Sometimes the plant would be dried and

powdered, and sprinkled on wounds as a disinfectant in order to promote healthy tissue re-

growth (Bocek 1984: 250). Yerba mansa is said to have been intentionally spread throughout

California and the Channel islands due to its medicinal properties (Timbrook 2007: 31)

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort family)

28

Jo-Ann Ordano © 2000 California Academy of Sciences (CalPhotos) Scrophularia californica California Bee Plant (Figwort)

California Figwort- Scrophularia californica- Scrophulariaceae (Figwort family) Spanish- Champamocha Mutson/Rumsen- unknown

Description: California figwort is a perennial herb that has opposite toothed leaves

.California Figwort has urn shaped small flowers that are maroon color on top and yellowish

green below. Figwort typically flowers between February through August (Foster 2002:176).

Distribution and habitat: California figwort is typically found in moist places throughout

California including the central coast and the southern Sierra ranges (Foster 2002:176).

Medicinal use: The leaves of the plant were used in poultices and held over sore eyes, on

boils and various other swellings on the body ( Bocek 1984; 254). A decoction made from the

twigs of the plant was used to wash infections. Heated twigs were also placed on swollen sores.

The juice from the plant was said to be used as an eye wash to treat poor vision (Bocek

1984:254).

Solanaceae (Nightshade family)

29

© 2003 David A. Tharp (CalPhotos) Datura wrightii Jimsonweed

Jimsonweed- Datura wrightii- Solanaceae (Nightshade family) Spanish- Toloache Muston/ Rumson- moonoy or nooy

Description: Commonly known as Jimsonweed this plant is highly poisonous and is said

to have hallucinogenic properties. This plant is dichotomous and perennial. The leaves tend to

be ovate and coarsely lobed. The trumpet shaped flowers, which are usually white to purplish

in color, are the key distinguishing feature of this plant. Jimsonweed flowers in the months of

May through September.

Distribution and habitat: Jimsonweed can be found in very dry sandy washes, in valley

grassland communities, Joshua tree woodland, coastal sage scrub and pinyon-Juniper woodland

communities (Datura wrightii Calflora Database, 2011).

Medicinal use: Jimsonweed leaves were dried and smoked as a purgative. This plant would

also be smoked to produce hallucinogens that reflected ones future (Bocek 1984: 253). The

seeds of this plant were sometimes mixed with tobacco and smoked as an aphrodisiac. The

leaves were ground and made into a salve used to treat boils. The leaves were also heated and

compressed on chests for pain or respiratory problems. Dew was occasionally collected from

inside the flower and used as an eyewash (Bocek 1984: 253). Jimsonweed was ingested by both

men and women to become a shaman in order to obtain supernatural powers (Kroeber 1925:

472).

30

This plant is highly poisonous and every year people die from ingesting various parts of the

plant (Timbrook 2007; 66). The poisonous chemicals of this plant include alkaloids, atropine,

hyoscine, abortifacient, teratorgenic (Foster 2002: 52)

© 2009 Keir Morse (CalPhotos) Nicotiana quadrivalvis Indian Tobacco

Indian Tobacco- Nicotiana quadrivalvis- Solanaceae (nightshade family) Spanish- Toboco Mutsun/ Rumsen- saawans or maater

Description: Indian tobacco is malodorous meaning that is has a very unpleasant

smell. This is an annual herb that has alternate leaves and flowers that are long and trumpet

shaped, similar to that to that of the Jimsonweed. The inflorescences are white with green or

sometimes purplish color. The base of the flower is enclosed by ridged sepals. Indian tobacco

flowers in the months of May through October (Foster 2002: 53)

Distribution and habitat: Indian tobacco can be found in many different vegetation

communities. Indian tobacco is typically found in dry washes, slopes, disturbed areas, southern

California, Sierra Nevada mountains to Washington, western Nevada, and in various locations in

Idaho (Foster 2002: 53).

Medicinal use: Tobacco was notoriously used during social events. Typically tobacco

was used by men. The leaves of the plant were smoked for social and spiritual contexts. Smoke

was blown into the ear to alleviate earaches (Bocek 1984: 253). Fresh leaves of the plant were

chewed and used as an emetic (Bocek 1984:253).

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Indian tobacco contains poisonous chemicals such as nicotine alkaloids that can be

deadly (Foster 2002: 53)

Urticaceae ( Nettle family)

© 2005 Louis-M. Landry (CalPhotos) Urtica dioica American Stinging Nettle

Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica- Urticaceae (nettle family) European Spanish- Ortiga Mutsen/Rumen-unknown

Description: Stinging nettle is a perennial dichotomous herb that is characterized

by its stinging hairs on the stem and leaves. The leaves are opposite, coarse, and toothed.

Stinging nettle has small flowers, greenish tinge in clusters (Foster 2002: 241).

Distribution and habitat: Stinging nettle is typically found in moist areas and

sometimes in disturbed sites throughout California and throughout Eurasia, Africa, and North

America. (Foster 2002: 241)

Medicinal use: According to Harrington’s consultants, a tea was made from the

leaves to alleviate rheumatic pains. Decoctions were also made from the leaves to treat

infected sores as well as other skin ailments such as hives. Stinging nettles were used to irritate

the skin by producing a slight inflammation when touched (Elpel 1967: 62). The fresh plant was

beaten lightly on aching pains to relieve pain, and promote blood circulation (Bocek 2007:250)

32

Conclusion The Ohlone people had a vast herbal pharmacopoeia, which extends far beyond

species described in this paper. All of the plants mentioned, with the exception of the White

Sage (Salvia apiana), are from a collection of recorded ethno botanical field notes made by John

Pea Harrington in the early 20th century from the remaining Rumsen and Mutsun inhabitants.

In conducting research about the Ohlone people, limited information was provided

regarding the cultural values of plants. In comparison to other ethnobotany literature such as

the Chumash ethnobotany, Ohlone ethnobotany lacks explicit detail about the cultural and

spiritual values of specific plants commonly used among their group. The Mutsun and the

Rumsen language groups are the most documented of the Ohlone nation. Aside from the notes

made by the Padres of the Spanish missions about the Ohlone, ethnologist and anthropologists

such as John Peabody Harrington and Alfred L. Kroeber were able to conduct a limited amount

of fieldwork on these language groups. They were successful in recording enough information

for us to have a vague understanding of the Ohlone inhabitants and their ethnobotany prior to

European colonization. The limited ethnobotanical work on the Ohlone creates the gap in the

understanding of the cultural and spiritual values of plants.

An effort is currently underway to reintroduce plants used by the Ohlone at the

Arboretum. The Amah Mutsun relearning garden is currently being designed and developed in

hopes of reintegrating the cultural uses of local plants for the University and the community.

Guidance from the Amah Mutsun tribe council in collaboration with the relearning student

council and the UCSC American Indian Resource Center will be used in the design of the

relearning garden. Traditional cultivation of plant gathering and tending along with various land

33

management practices will be utilized at the relearning garden for the cultural value and

environmental awareness of interested persons (Cultivating Native Wisdom Arboretum UCSC,

2011). The relearning garden will be a valuable resource for rediscovering the cultural and

spiritual values of local plants traditionally used by the Ohlone.

Medicinal knowledge among the Ohlone is a very sensitive subject. Although

information regarding the medicinal uses of plants is available, it should be viewed carefully in

respect for the tribes. Members of the tribe agree that they want to have the medicinal

knowledge of their ancestors more or less discreet at least until they are legally able to obtain

rights over the information. Above all members of the tribe do not want their medicinal

knowledge of plants to be commercially exploited.

Ohlone medicinal practices evolved from their assumptions about nature and the

supernatural world. Sometimes common diseases were thought to have come from the

supernatural world and occasionally were associated with a bad shaman. Shamans were

believed to have the power to shoot objects into the sick person’s body and could only be

removed by a shaman. The Ohlone like many other indigenous cultures engaged in a

relationship with their natural landscape and utilized the resources in that environment. By

educating ourselves about the cultural values and uses of plants, we can preserve the cultural

history and develop an appreciation of having a diverse ecosystem.

34

Glossary

Annual- Completing a cycle in one year or growing season, essentially non woody (Jepson 1993:14) Basal – Found at or near the base of a plant or plant part. Especially said of leaves clustered near the ground or of a placenta confined to the base of an ovary (Jepson 1993:14) Bract- Small, leaf- or scale like structure associated with an inflorescence or cone. Generally subtends to a branch, penuncle, pedicel, flower or cone scale. (Jepson 1993: 15) Decoction- A preparation made by boiling or simmering a plant part in water (Foster 2002: 390) Dicot- A member of the larger main subgroup of flowering plants: generally having two cotyledons, flower parts in 4s and 5, or spirals, pinnate or palmate leaf venation, stem veins in rings (Jepson 1993: 16) Glabrous- Smooth and shiny without hairs (Foster 2002: 394) Inflorescence- An entire cluster of flowers and associated structures (Jepson 1993:19) Monocot- The smaller main subgroup of flowering plants; generally having one cotyledon, flower parts in 3s, parallel leaf venation, stem veins scattered (Jepson 1993: 20) Perennial- Living more than two years or growing seasons (Jepson 1993: 22) Poultices- A moist, usually warm or hot mass of plant material applied to the skin, or a cloth next to the skin, to effect a medicinal action (Foster 2002: 392) Purgative- An agent that causes cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with griping (Foster 2002: 392)

35

Annotated Bibliography

"Amah Mutsun Relearning Garden | UCSC Arboretum." Cultivating Native Wisdom- for the future generations Welcome to the UCSC Arboretum. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. <http://arboretum.ucsc.edu/visit/garden/relearning-garden/>.

This website is a great source for learning information regarding the UC Santa Cruz arboretum. Anderson, K. "Gathering, Hunting, and Fishing." Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources. Berkeley: University of California, 2005. 41-61. This book provides a vast amount of information on Native American land management practices, and an examination of Native American knowledge and uses of California's natural resources. Bocek, B. R. "Ethnobotany of Costanoan Indians, California Based on Collections by John P. Harrington." Economic Botany. 2nd ed. Vol. 38. Bronx, NY: Institute of Economic Botany of the New York Botanical Garden, 1984. 240-55. This book provides a detailed overview of the Ohlone ethnobotany specifically the Rumsen and Mutsun language groups, based on a collection of noted from anthropologist John P. Harrington, a variety of native and introduced plants species uses for food, medicine, and raw materials. Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation. January 26, 2011. Berkeley, California: The CalPhotos Database [a non-profit organization]. website <http://www.calflora.org/> Calflora is a website dedicated to providing information about California wild plants for education, research and conservation. The website also provides beautiful photographs of thousands of plants. The Calflora database is a nonprofit organization in Berkeley, CA CalPhotos: A database of photos of plants, animals, habitats and other natural history subjects

[web application]. BSCIT, University of California, Berkeley. February 16. 2011. <http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/>. This website is an excellent source for various photographs on different plant species throughout California. Clarke, C. B. Edible and Useful Plants of California. Berkeley: University of California, 1977.

36

This book is contains references of 200 wild plants, guidance on how to gather the plants, how to prepare and cook the plants in a variety of different recipes. The plants are in categorized based on the plant community they are associated with. Elpel, T. J. "Medicinal Properties of Plants." Botany in a Day: the Patterns Method of Plant Identification : Thomas J. Elpel's Herbal Field Guide to Plant Families. Pony, MT: HOPS, 2004. 194-206. This book is an overview of field botany, it provides a breakdown of a variety of chemical constituents found in plants, it also provides illustration and patterns to help with learning plant identification. "File:Costanoan Map.png." Wikimedia Commons. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Costanoan_map.png>. This website provides a great map of the 8 language groups of the Ohlone in the central coast of California. Foster, S. and C. Hobbs. A Field Guide to Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002. This book contains detailed descriptions of more than 500 medicinal plant species found in western United States, the location and habitat of the plants, uses of the plants by different Native American tribes and chemical properties of some of the plants. The guide is organized based on flower color for fast identification. Haff, Tonya M., Martha T. Brown, and W. Breck. Tyler. The Natural History of the UC Santa Cruz Campus. Santa Cruz: Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, 2008. This book is an excellent overview of the natural history of the Santa Cruz region particularly on the University of Santa Cruz campus. This book include a brief overview of the human history beginning with the Ohlone ancestors and ending with the expansion of the UC campus. Jepson, Willis Linn, James C. Hickman, and Willis Linn Jepson. The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. Berkeley: University of California, 1993. This book is a botanical key of a number of higher plants throughout California. It provides detailed information about several plants dividing it into plant families, genes, species and sub species. It also provides black and white illustrations.

37

Kroeber, A. L. "The Costanoans." Handbook of the Indians of California. New York: Dover Publications, 1976. 462-73. This book provides an overview of Native American demographic, social division and status, linguistics, culture and religion of 34 tribes throughout California. Lightfoot, K. G., and O. Parrish. "Central Coast Province." California Indians and Their Environment: an Introduction. Berkeley: University of California, 2009. 211-50. This book provides detailed information about the Native Americans that occupied the central coast regime in California, including the Costanoan or Ohlone tribe. a detailed account of the vegetation types found along the central coast, and management practices, and uses of marine plants, herbaceous plants, trees and shrubs, animals and insects. Margolin, M. The Ohlone Way: Indian Life in the San Francisco-Monterey Bay Area. Berkeley: Heyday, 1978. This books describes the Ohlone culture prior to European colonization, including everything from their way of life to their medicinal and spiritual believes. The book is written in story format and provides great references. Millspaugh, C. F. American Medicinal Plants: an Illustrated and Descriptive Guide to Plants Indigenous to and Naturalized in the United States Which Are Used in Medicine. New York: Dover Publications, 1974. This book incorporates illustrations and detailed descriptions of 180 native and non-native medicinal plants found with the United States. Each description provides history and habitat,parts used and preparation and the chemical constituents. Smith, C. "Ohlone Medicine." Cabrillo College Home Page. 1999. Web. 01 Dec. 2010. <http://www.cabrillo.edu/~crsmith/OhloneMed.html#anchor5>. This website provides a detailed overview of the Ohlone medicinal practices and uses of plants. It is divided up into subsections from theories on disease to different illness and health disorders with what and how the plants were used for each circumstance. Timbrook, J. Chumash Ethnobotany: Plant Knowledge among the Chumash People of Southern California. Santa Barbara, CA: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2007. This book is an overview of the Chumash Native Americans who occupied the coastal area between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, and their relationship with nature and particular plants.the plants were described in detail of habitat and function in their culture, Food, medicine, spiritual, tools, dyes, clothing and other uses. The plant knowledge is based from collections of notes made from anthropologist John P. Harrington.

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Vogel, V. J. American Indian Medicine,. Norman: University of Oklahoma, 1970. 183-399. This book discusses applications of American Indian medicine, including everything from burns to abortion. It also provides a history of European colonization and the effects on American Indian population and early observations on Indian medicine from a western perspective . It also lists common and scientific names of medicinal plants.