Onyota’a:ká: Guide to Edible Plants and Their Uses
This educational flash card set focuses on the Onyota’a:ká: language and helps users identify plants while learning about traditional foraging practices. Organized by their edible plant names, this set is perfect for students and nature enthusiasts who want to deepen their understanding of plants in their natural habitats while foraging.
Click on each item below to open a new tab and hear the edible in the Onyota’a:ká: language:
Burdock
Tea that can be made from the roots of the burdock is known as a blood purifier. The leaves may be wrapped around joints, like a painful knee or elbow, to help relive Rheumatoid Arthritus.
Cattails
The gel between leaves acts as an anesthetic for toothaches, while cattail fluff may be used as an insulation or as a fire starter. The stalks were ofttn woven into baskets and mats.
Chicory
Used to aid digestion, support liver function and reduce inflammation.
Dandelions
Supports liver health, boosts digestion, increases urination and reduces inflammation. The dandelion can also be made into a salve to treat dry skin..
Lamb's Quarter
The leaves may be made into a poultice and used to sooth insect bites, burns, and swelling. Can also be made into a tea that is good for digestion and high in iron/good for anemia.
Milkweed
The milky sap of Milkweed may be used to remove warts, reduce fever, and treat rheumatism.
Plantain
The leaves may be rubbed together to release oils, then placed on cuts or sores as a natural bandage to help speed up healing and prevent infection.
Guide to Edible Plants
Wild Leeks
Wild Leeks may be used as spring tonic rich in antioxidants, vitamins A, C, K and sulfur compounds that are used for cooking soups and dumplings.
Oxeye Daisy
Used for respiratory conditions (coughs, asthma, bronchitis), wound healing, and for calming inflammation.
Jerusalem Artichoke
This is used to improve gut health, control blood sugar, and help the immune system.
Wood Sorrel
A plant high in Vitamin C, historically used to treat scurvy, fever, mouth sores and sore throats.
Sheep Sorrel
It has antioxidant, diuretic, and possible anti-inflammatory properties. People often use it to help with scurvy, digestive problems, and skin irritations.
Red Clover
The Red Clover blossoms are good for treating ulcers and are also good for anti-tumor and anti-cancer effects.
White Pine
White Pine used for its high Vitamin C content, to help with breathing and for its ability to fight germs.
Guide to Edible Plants
Elderberry
Elderberries help manage cold and flu symptoms.
Common Evening Primrose
A useful plant that has been known as an herbal "cure-all" throughout history
Common Purslane
This helps heart health, lowers blood pressure, reduces muscle spasms and supports liver health.
Queen Anne's Lace
This is used as a strong diuretic to help treat kidney stones, bladder infections and gout. It also supports digestive health.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging Nettle is commonly used to treat diabetes, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, enlarged prostate and hay fever.
Staghorn Sumac
Traditionally used to treat conditions such as diarrhea, sore throats, and minor skin irritations. It is a strong astringent and antiseptic.
Educational Resources
A closer look at Haudenosaunee customs directly from Oneida Indian Nation Members.