PA.AKAL _________ The Tongva community has many medicinal
uses for Pa.akal. It also has uses in ceremonies. Pa.akal is found as two different species: E. californica (all
green), and E. farinosa (grayish). Both plants have medicinal
properties used to ease different forms of pain. To relieve chest pains, the Tongva apply
heated gum from gray pa.akal. The resin from gray pa.akal is collected,
hardened, and taken as a general painkiller. The leaves, flowers,
stems, and roots from green pa.akal are mashed and boiled into a thick
poultice to ease general pain. A poultice for wounds is made
from green pa.akal leaves. For more specific conditions such as
rheumatism, leaves, roots, and flowers from green pa.akal are mashed and
boiled into a decoction for bathing. To calm toothaches, the leaves,
flowers, and stems are mashed into a thick paste and applied to the teeth.
To refresh the mouth and breath, stems from green pa.akal are
chewed. Finally, the Tongva create ceremonial incense by drying gray pa.akal resin and combining it with the dried leaves and flowers of the plant. |
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