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Names: Kinnikinik, Bearberry Gaelic Names: None Uses: Edible, Medicinal, Other Description and Climate: The Kinnikinik Tribe likes arctic, subarctic, and temperate zones, most often in exposed, sandy and rocky soil. They like living below Ponderosas; in fact they are one of the view plants that can survive around them!.

The Kinnikinik Tuatha are hardy. They are relied upon by bears for forage, and can serve the same purpose for us two-legged people. They are creeping, vine like plants, that help stabilize dry, rocky soil on mountain sides and hills. Since not many plants can survive in these harsh conditions their contribution to the environment becomes clear.

The small bright red berries are edible, although it is best to eat them as soon as they ripen (just after they flower and turn red) otherwise they are rather mealy and seedy. To minimize the dryness of the berries they can be cooked with fish oils, and fat, or added to stews and soups. Newly ripe berries can be sweetened with syrup or honey and served in cream for a delicious dessert. Fried in grease over a slow fire they actaully pop like popcorn. The berries can be scalded and mashed, soaked in water for about an hour and half, sweetened and fermented to make wine.

Tea made from the leaves of Bearberry have some very helpful medicinal qualities. The leaves can be used in a sitz like bath and washes to reduce infection and inflammation. The leaf tea can be used to help stimulate urination and cleanse the urinary tract. Studies suggest that Bearberry has an antiseptic effect to the urinary system. The leaf tea is also said to be good for menstrual cramps.

The leaves of Kinnikinik are an excellent tobacco substitute. Ben actually prefers the leaves of Kinnikinik to tobacco for a relaxing pipe smoke, "Bearberry leaves really are relaxing to smoke, and you dont get that nasty after smoke feeling."