Lakota Plant Medicines: A Beginner’s Guide

For Lakota people, plants are more than ingredients and remedies— they are relatives.

They’ve stood with our people for generations— through difficulties, good times, long journeys and times of ceremony. The medicines we use at Wozani come from those relationships and teachings that our elders worked hard to keep alive.

Note: This page is for cultural sharing only and is not medical advice.

Sage (Pejí Hóta) – For Inviting Positivity 

Sage is used to help welcome positivity back in our lives and spaces.

At Wozani, we use real sage and sweetgrass essences in our smoke-free remedies as a way to carry the spirit of that medicine without always needing to use smoke — helpful for people with asthma, apartments, workplaces, or shared spaces. This remedy was born from our relative who loved to burn sage, but was in the hospital and couldn't do so. We created a way for her to keep close to the medicine. 

Lakota people have actually been using "essential oils" for centuries. Even sometimes in the inipi (sweat lodge), plants are hung and steamed inside to draw out their essence. 

Sweetgrass (Wačanga) – For Welcoming 

Sweetgrass is often braided and burned so the fragrant smoke can drift through a home, prayer space, or around a person.

It’s used to bring good energy and dispel negativity. Also to welcome our relatives who have passed.

Cedar (Hanté) – For Protection and Prayer

Cedar is used in many Lakota ceremonies and homes for grounding, protection, and prayer.

In our remedies, cedar helps carry the feeling of protection and strength.

Wild Bergamot (Wahpe Waštémna) – “Sweet-Smelling Leaf”

Wild bergamot’s scent is soft and delicate.

In our family, this medicine has been used to calm our colicky babies—its good for fevers, digestive issues, and is also carried of kept with important items like regalia for protection and its sweet scent. 

Mullein (Wahpe Hinšma) – Soft Leaves for Soothing

One of our family’s stories is about a relative whose hands were swollen and painful from arthritis. During a traditional healing ceremony, an elder instructed her to use mullein leaves around her hands for relief.

We carry that teaching into our infused oils and remedies today.

It is also an amazing medicine for the lungs and respiratory system—naturally expelling mucus and clearing congestion.

 

Yucca Root (Hupéstola) – Traditional Cleanser

Yucca root has been used for generations as a gentle, naturally lathering cleanser. It's good for hair thats thinning and irritated skin

You’ll find it in some of our skincare and body products as a way to honor those everyday medicines our people have used for practical care.

These are just a few of the plants used in our remedies. We will be sharing more about others in our blog if you want to follow along!

 

Honoring the Plants: Harvesting With Respect

In our Lakota teachings, working with plant medicines is a relationship. It’s simple, and it’s based on respect.

When we harvest, we slow down. We don’t just grab and go.
We take a moment to ask the plant for its help, and to offer something in return.

Some things our families taught us:

  • Only take what you need

  • Leave plenty behind so the plant can keep growing

  • Avoid harvesting in the same areas, or ones that that look unhealthy

  • Ask permission, and pay attention

It’s not complicated really— it’s just being mindful and treating the plants like living relatives that are helping you.

These are the same teachings we bring into Wozani when we gather, grow, or use traditional medicines in our remedies.

The Importance of Replanting

Some of the places our families once harvested these medicines have changed. Overgrazing, chemical sprays, and development mean some plants don’t grow the way they used to.

That’s why Wozani is committed to replanting traditional medicines back onto the land.

When you support Wozani, you’re also supporting plant relatives, land stewardship, and future generations.