western pearly everlasting

Smoke used to purify gift made to the spirits.

Plant used as a strong medicine.

Smoke used in houses to protect them from witches

Artifacts/Material use: Plant is used in various ways to make horses long-winded. Powdered flowers are put on each hoof and blown between the ears for long windedness, spirit and endurance. Powdered flowers used on the sole of each horse hoof to make it enduring and untiring

Leaves burned as incense and used to purify gifts offered to the sun or the spirits.

Powdered flowers chewed and rubbed on body to protect and strengthen warrior. Dried flowers carried or chewed and rubbed on the body as protection from danger before battle. Additional commentary: Pearly Everlasting’s leaves were used as purifying incense; gifts to spirits were first cleansed in this smoke. Often, men would carry the dried and powdered flowers in medicine bundles, as it would protect them, give them strength, and energy. For this reason, it was also chewed and rubbed on the body. It would be used on horses for the same reason, to give energy and strength, in this case being put on the bottom of each hoof, and blown between the horses’ ears. No woman could touch this plant or it would nullify its energy, perhaps, because of this plant’s spiritual endowment as opposed to its material power.88