Where it grows: Ááhsowa grows in wet meadows, on the sides of roads, and along railroad lines.

How to identify: Brown, bean-shaped seedpods about 1cm long are covered in numerous tiny, hooked prickles called burrs that remain on the plant for multiple seasons.

Harvesting: June and July are ideal for harvesting Ááhsowa roots. If you harvest this root late it will be very stringy.

Blackfoot: Ááhsowa

Ááhsowa roots are known for their medicinal uses and can also be chewed as a delicacy like candy.

Medicinal Uses:

• The roots contain healing agents and tea made from them works as a tonic, cleansing the blood and relieving toothaches, sore throats, fever, coughing, diarrhea, aching stomachs, and earaches. Liquid swallowed while chewing the root acts like a cough drop. Blackfoot people would use Ááhsowa to prepare their throats for singing.
• Leaves could be chewed and used as a poultice to soothe the backs of horses or soaked and applied to ears to relieve earaches.
• Ground roots were also applied to bruises to help them heal more quickly.