Traditional Medicine

Fish

Rotten Arctic char is eaten raw or boiled to cure constipation. To make it rotten, the char is buried in a rock pile, preferably all summer. Boiled sculpin (qanayuk) is eaten for chronic vomiting or loss of appetite due to illness. Slices of raw fish flesh can be used to raise a boil.

The belly skin from Arctic char is used on cuts. The inner layer is placed directly on the skin and this helps heal and protect. Cod liver oil, taken by the spoonful, is very good for colds and general sickness (though lots of livers are needed to boil up a batch).