Plants for medicine
In recognition of Reconciliation Week, this week’s post looks at some common flora species within the Corridor and references the medicinal use of each plant, as custom by the traditional owners of this land.
Infusions of the leaves and bark were sipped to relieve pain (Lassak & McCarthy 2001) and the seeds from the fruit were roasted and eaten.
Gum was used as a mild anaesthetic and large pieces were used as fillings in dental cavities. The bark was often used by Noongar people as roofing for shelters (City of Joondalup, 2011).
Infusions of the flowers, made by steeping them in water, were sipped to relieve coughs and sore throats (City of Joondalup, 2011)
The young cones were eaten and Noongar women often gave birth under the Sheoak. Its soft needles were used for bedding in shelters (ANGB,2016a)
References:
ANBG (Australian National Botanical Gardens). (2002). –(2016a)’Aboriginal Plant Use Trail’. http://www.anbg.gov.au/gardens/visiting/exploring/aboriginal-trail/index.html
City of Joondalup (2011). Plants and People in Mooro Country: Nyungar Plant Use in Yellagonga Regional Park’.http://api.joondalup.wa.gov.au/files/Plants%20and%20People%20in%20Mooro%20Country.pdf
Lassak, E & McCarthy, T. (2001). Australian Medicinal Plants. Sydney: New Holland.