PAWOTS ___________ Pawots is one of the most important medicinal
plants for the Tongva. It is essential in women’s medicine.
A woman drinks a tea made from pawots beginning from her first
menstruation and for the rest of her life. In addition, the plant is also used to treat
various ailments. To relieve toothaches, the Tongva make a poultice
from the leaves and apply it directly onto the painful tooth. The leaves are
also chewed for stomachaches and made into a poultice for burns and
wounds. Pawots is also useful in the treatment of
respiratory ailments. The Tongva make a decoction for asthma and
coughs. They also use this to relieve rheumatic pains.
Finally, a tea made from the leaves is made to help reduce fever and pain. This plant is also important in Tongva rituals. For instance, it is a major plant in girls’ puberty ritual. In addition, men who are preparing for a hunt are smudged with a mixture of white sage and pawots. |
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