HUUTAH ___________ Huutah is a useful medicinal plant for the
Tongva. For skin infections, they make a strong tea from the bark
and use the oils from the leaves and the twigs. The leaves and twigs
are
also ground into a powder and mixed with animal grease to be applied on
sores and snakebites. In addition, the leaves and the branches may
be boiled to produce a liquid to bathe infected, sore, or swollen parts of
the body. The Tongva also use huutah to relieve ulcers, chest ailments and cramps. A tea from huutah leaves alleviates these conditions. Huutah has also some important non-medicinal uses. The branches serve in the fabrication of arrows, fencing for the sacred enclosure called Yovaar, and the arbor called Orovavekech. It also makes an excellent firewood. |
|
