Primrose, White Evening - Oenathera albicaulis

Ethnobotanical Uses

Medicine:

"Hopi Ceremonial Medicine Used to ward out the cold through prayer. --- Keres, Western Antirheumatic (External) Poultice of plant used for swellings. --- Navajo, Ramah Ceremonial Medicine Dried flowers used as ceremonial medicine --- Orthopedic Aid Decoction of root taken and used as a lotion for carrying heavy load. Panacea Decoction of root taken and used for muscle strain a 'life medicine' --- Throat Aid Compound poultice of plant applied for 'throat trouble.' --- (Moerman 361)

Food:

"Apache Fruit Fruits eaten for food. --- Apache, Chiriachua & Mescalero Sauce & Relish Seeds ground and made into a gravy. Soup Seeds boiled in soups. Special Food Fruit chewed as a delicacy without preparation. --- (Moerman 361)

Other Uses:

"Hopi, Ceremonial Items Flower used ceremonially as the 'white flower.' --- Decorations Flowers used by marriageable maids in their hair on holidays. --- Smoke Plant Plant used for tobacco. --- Zuni Ceremonial Items Chewed blossoms rubbed on the bodies of young girls so that they could dance well and ensure rain. The blossoms were given by the High Priest and the Sun Priest of the Corn Maidens. The girls chewed the blossoms, ejected the mass into their hands, and rubbed it on the neck, breast, arms, and hands ensuring that they would dance well so that it would rain and the corn would grow. --- (Moerman 361)