Four Sacred Medicines

There are four sacred medicines. Tobacco, Cedar, Sage and Sweetgrass. These are traditional medicines that have physical qualities for medicinal purposes, and a spiritual aspect used in traditional healing and ceremonies.

Tobacco was the first medicine given to the Anishinaabae people. The Creator gave the gift of tobacco to open the doorway to the West - the spirit world. This allows us to speak directly to the great spirit, and if needed, to allow the spirits to come and help.

Cedar is the medicine that helps protect us from the unknown or unseen, and the emotions and feelings of others. It is used as a shield or a cleansing medicine against lingering spirits that can disrupt daily life.

Sage protects us from ourselves by offering relief from internal struggles. Smudging or lighting sage brings calm, which allows us to make good decisions. Sage is burned to start a meeting or discussion, or to begin your day in a good way. This is the medicine for the women.

Sweetgrass represents sharing, caring, and love; Mother, father, child. The sweet aroma calms us with thoughts of family and loved ones. Our hair symbolizes sweetgrass. Unbraided hair is like sweetgrass moving in the breeze. When braiding our hair, we are to think only good, kind thoughts to have a day filled with respect for ourselves and others.

Reference from: www.legacy.winnipeg.ca