Care of the eyes.
SALVIA COLUMBRIAE
(Ind. Pa-sal)
This plant belongs to the food division but plays another important rôle, considering what it means to a person to be relieved of the excruciating pain caused by the introduction of a foreign substance into the eye, thus producing a temporary obstruction of the vision. Many Indians, after a hard day’s hunting or riding through severe sandstorms, had this experience, and consequently, they never neglected to give their eyes proper care.
When time to retire, the Indian would put at least a couple of seeds of the Salvia columbriae under the eyelids, and, with eyes shut tight to keep the seed from dropping out, he would fall asleep. As they swelled, they would move about with every movement of the eyeball and emit a gelatinous substance which gathered up every particle of sand or any other substance present, and, when removed, left the eye clear and free of any possible inflammation. This is a good example of the care the Indian gave his eyes and accounts for his good and strong vision.
An inhabitant of the arid lands, it grows prolifically in places where in earlier days the Indians made their homes, and very often the ancient dwellings which our people used will be found covered with large beds of Salvia columbriae, with their beautiful blossoms of purple and lavender.
These colors were to the Indians a mournful reminder of their departed ones, in their lifelong struggle and search for food, so mightily important to sustain life. Regarding the use of the Columbriae for this purpose, the method used was very simple.
It was cut and bundled by the male members of the family, brought in and heaped up on a large cleared space of ground, formed into a circle and then trodden down as hard as a cement floor. This was done with water and the bare feet and threshing with long sticks. By thus beating the heap of Columbriae, they released the seeds which were then winnowed by being blown before a wind current made with the aid of two baskets. After this, they were carried to the grinding stones to be ground into a fine meal which made excellent porridge—a very popular dish among Indians.