Insect repellent

Birch fungus is a general term for a type of bracket fungus that grows on birch trees, willow and red willow (alder) shrubs.

 

Birch fungus was cut up, boiled and used for stomach ailments. Ashes were rubbed gently on skin sores and pimples. 

 

The fungus was also cut up and crushed into small pieces, and then mixed with cigarettes or chewing tobacco to make it last longer. 

 

The wormwood plant is used to treat a congested chest and to clear a stuffy head or stuffy nose. The plant is very aromatic. For steaming purposes, the whole above ground wormwood plant is crushed and put into a pot of water to boil. Once the water starts to steam the pot is taken off the stove and set aside to cool. Ruth said,