An Overview of Native Alaskan Medicine

As the use of traditional and alternative forms of medicine steadily rises in U.S., the respect for Native American traditions and use of medicinal plants comes forward into modern day society. A rich and diverse culture going back 10,000 years and also on the rise in popularity and respect is that of the Native Alaskan people. Their holistic approach to healing, and their healing plants has been opened up to western medicine, and in Alaskan cities, new clinics combining the native approaches with western medicine have begun to sprout up.

Traditional Alaskan healing, as practiced by tribal doctors and modern health practitioners, instead of treating a specific illness or symptom, instead looks at the health of the whole being in terms of mind, body, and soul or spirit. Although Alaskan natives are diverse and spread over more than 20 groups and languages, we will be looking at them as whole in this general overview of popular healing techniques, most of which have come from western doctors who are teaching regional native healers some of the arts of western medicine in order to blend the two and overcome the greatest detriment to health in Alaska-isolation.

Native Alaskan beliefs, as put forward by Kimberly Corral, are important in understanding Alaskan tradition. Amongst these beliefs are: Respect, Seeing the connections in all things, Honoring your elders, Acceptance of life, Patience, Praying for guidance, Living carefully, Care of others, Sharing, and Knowing yourself.

Tribal doctors exist in almost every native community. These healers have practiced and passed down the traditions for thousands of years. The art of healing is considered a gift and given freely to anyone in need. What is more interesting is that the State of Alaska now officially recognizes these healers and provides accreditation of their skills. Many of these traditional healers are now employed by the State or other health organizations.

A large part of Alaskan healing tradition involves the use of touch and massage. Patients are examined thoroughly through massaging with the hands. Treatments for muscles or abdominal pains are often treated with massage therapy that are repeated over the course of several days or weeks. These massages are said to not only be physical in nature, but a passing of energy from the doctor to the patient.

Another form of treatment and healing is the sweat lodge. The sweat lodges are communal in nature, men and women being separated except in the case of couples. They are traditionally sod structures and heated by driftwood. More modern "sweats" are wooden structures with a wood-burning stove. Water is ladled onto the stove to produce thick steam for one-two hour sessions. Other traditions use a canvas dome and hot rocks. Spices and incense are often added to the rocks or the water.

One common form of spiritual well-being is the talking circle. This is known to almost all native tribes of North America. A circle is formed among participants and either a feather or sage smudge incense is passed from person to person to signify who has the floor. Each speaker may talk about whatever is on their mind, without limit of topic or time. This develops personal bonds and a means to deliver advice in a form without judgement.

Storytelling is another means of spiritual well-being and a way to provide advice through anecdotal and traditional narratives either one-on-one or with a group audience. Storytelling fosters community and a way to teach the experiences of the past.

Medicinal plants are used in many forms in the Native Alaskan cultures. The specific plants used vary depending on the region, but include roots, leaves, berries, flowers, and bark to create teas, powders, chew, salves, oils, and smoke to cure various illnesses and injury. Some of these plants include:

Tundra rose - For colds, pneumonia, gas

Lingonberries - Tea or juice for sore throat, bladder infection, digestion, and rash

Spruce Sap - Stop bleeding, prevent infection, burn relief, sore muscles, toothache

Beach Pea - nourish intestinal tract and urinary organs

Rose Hips - Prevent colds

Northern Labrador tea - Treatment of cold, flu, cough, constipation, and hangovers

Skunk Cabbage/Skunk Weed - Strengthen hair, prevent infection, treat headaches

Wild Raspberry - Prevents miscarriage, eases labor, increase milk supply

Stinkweed/Wormwood/Alaska Sage - sore muscles, arthritis, athlete's foot, upset stomach

Dwarf Dogwood - Upset stomach, reduce eye redness, burns

Juniper Berries - arthritis relief, cough/congestion, kidney problems

Devil's Club/Alaska Ginseng - prevent infection with ash, relief from tuberculosis, pain

Beach Wild Rye - itch relief

Red Currant - sore eye wash, respiratory infection

Willow - mouth sores, pain relief

These are only a few of the many wild plants and preparations used throughout Alaska. In-depth research and study can turn up hundreds more.

The holistic healing approach to Alaskan traditional medicine, passed down for over 10,000 years is the source of health yet today for many native people. Although an integrative approach is being applied as to western medicine, for the Alaskan, nothing is better than tradition.