silverleaf Indian breadroot; Wild Alfalfa

Decoction of plant taken for fever and salve of plant used for high fever

This is used to reduce fever. The leaves and stems are ground fine and boiled in water, and the tea is drunk. To cure a high fever, the leaves and stem ground to powder are also mixed with grease and rubbed all over the body Additional commentary: Dr. Rusby has said that the medicinal properties of this plant are not known to science, but it is a near relative of species having active and important properties, though not much used in medicine. Its use as a febrifuge is of great interest and very suggestive.577

Leaves and stems are ground fine and boiled in water. The tea is drunk to reduce fevers Additional commentary: Mary Fisher told Hart a story explaining why this plant is called ‘devil’s turnip.’ As the story goes, long ago, some young girls went out looking for turnips (P. esculenta) and each time they thought they found one, it turned out to be false. This kept happening and they kept going farther and farther away from camp, until, finally, a medicine man realized they were being led away by the devil who had taken form as this plant, and warned some people who went to rescue them. Despite its association with the devil, it does provide a treatment for a fever. When the fever is not too bad, one can drink a tea of the leaves and stems finely ground. When the fever is more severe, the powder is mixed with grease and rubbed on the body.579 Moerman classifies this plant as Pediomelum argophylla.580