The Four Medicines

by G&B Contributor, Avery Ross, of Muscogee Creek Nation

The indigenous peoples of the Americas are a very spiritual. Their spiritual and cultural practices have been a part of the native way of life since the Mississipian Era over 10,000 years ago. One of the most sincere core values throughout all of the indigenous cultures is using the Creator’s gifts to connect us as people, and to connect us to the spirit world. There are four sacred medicines that were given to us to aid in spiritual, mental, physical, and familial wellbeing. These medicines are tobacco, cedar, sage, and sweetgrass. Each serves a different purpose, and is associated with one of the four cardinal directions.

Tobacco is the medicine of the East. It is considered the very first gift given to us by the Creator, and therefore is used as a gift when arriving at ceremonies, events, other people’s homes, and when harvesting crops. Traditional tobacco, (nicotiana rustica) which is used in ceremony, differs from commercial tobacco, (nicotiana tabacum) which is used to make cigars and cigarettes. Tobacco is also used to open the door to the spirit world in order to seek guidance from the Creator and our ancestors.

Cedar is the medicine of the South. It is used to protect us from outside forces or unknown forces, such as other people’s negative emotions and any grudges harbored against us. It is also considered a protective shield and cleansing medicine, which is what makes it so important and sacred. It is especially beneficial for empaths, who may be negatively impacted by others’ anxieties or woes.

Sage is the medicine of the West. It offers relief and assistance with internal struggles. It has a calming effect, grounding the spirit and the mind and inspiring good decision making. For this reason, it is burned at the start of meetings and discussions. This is a medicine for women, who are known to inspire communication and decision making.

Sweetgrass is the fourth sacred medicine. It is the medicine of the North, and one of the most important medicines in the world. It symbolizes community, family, and love. Family is the most important thing for more than just the indigenous people. Our families are the bonds that connect us with the core of our being, our spirits, and our ancestors. Our hair, seen as a direct extension of our spirit, symbolizes sweetgrass when it is unbraided. When a native person braids their hair; we are to think only good thoughts. We reflect on the importance of community and family, and how to treat others as we would have them treat us.