Bitterroot ( Lewisia rediviva ) may not vocalise appetising , butthe blossoming perennialhas long been a raw material in the dieting and medicative practices of northerly Native American kindred . From its ability to render essential food to its ornamental imperial - pink blossoms , the many uses of bitterroot led Montana legislator to make it the state flower in 1895 .
Subsistence
Bitterroot was an important source of victuals for many Native Americans . Approximately 50 to 80 grams , or one to three ounces , of boil Lewisia rediviva provided enough energy to sustain an active individual for up to 24 hours , accord to Montana Plant Life . As the name suggests , the outer layer of the root has an off - putting acerbic flavor . When harvested in spring when the plant life is bloom , this forbidden scale can be easy removed . Native Americans unremarkably boil the vanquish root for the most palatable spirit , often alongside berries or heart and soul . When churn , the theme would swell to six times its original size of it and develop a jelly - like texture . The boil root was then eat as is , or dry out and mash into a powder used to either thicken soups or mix with creature blubber to make cake .
Medicinal
In addition to being consumed as a intellectual nourishment , Lewisia rediviva was also ingest by the aboriginal American community for its medicinal benefits . New mother often drank a tea - corresponding extract from the raw root in ordination to increase milk production when nursing infants . to boot , it was eaten to purify the descent , realize up skin experimental condition , treat the symptom of diabetes and to settle down an upset stomach . According to the Native American Center for Excellence at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle , the beginning has even been known as " Native American Tums " because , like the pop over - the - buffet antacid , it has the power to calm the stomach . "
Pain Relief
Bitterroot was once widely used to numb sure types of pain . American Indians relied on a bitterroot infusion to alleviate discomfort have by heart conditions like angina as well as pleurisy , a painful inflammation in the area around the lung . The root was applied to relieve the burning itch and kindling because of poison ivy . Even today , some American Indians still masticate the dry root to numb the pain of a mad pharynx , accord to ABC News Health . It ’s been speculated that the tender pharynx easement may come from the increase in saliva when the root is chewed .
Landscaping
Like many plants in the Portulacaceae kinfolk , Lewisia rediviva is cultivate for ornamental purposes . In fact , penis of the Lewisia genus are some of the most popular aboriginal plants grown in the westerly United States . Lewisia rediviva is prized by many home gardener for its delicate , silky pink flower petal and ability to grow in the rockiest of grunge . With growing interest in garden that conserve water , it is also renowned for its extreme permissiveness to drought . Thanks to the water - hold back power of its roots , Lewisia rediviva can thrive for age without irrigation ; however , one case of overwatering can kill a flora .
