Kori Deibert, Faculty

November is National American Indian Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich histories, diverse cultures, and significant contributions of our nation’s first people. The Lenape were Philadelphia’s original inhabitants. They were hunters, fishers, and cultivated the area along the banks of what is now the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. They believed in a holistic healing approach, that connection with the spirits is what made healing so powerful. Most descendants of the Lenape now live in Oklahoma and still follow their ancient healing traditions. Several common plants with medicinal properties used by the Lenape that are found in the Northeast include birch, cattail, dandelion, sassafras, sumac, and wild grape.

• Birch bark is used to make tea for treating coughs and colds.
• Cattail pollen can be applied to wounds to stop bleeding. If ingested, it can help with menstrual pain. Mashing the cattail roots can be applied to treat blisters, boils, cysts, stings, and infections.
• Dandelion is rich in vitamins and minerals that can be made into tea to treat the liver, cleanse the blood, and clear skin conditions. The plant also acts as a gentle laxative to help with digestion and elimination.
• Sassafras root can help reduce blood pressure by acting as a blood thinner.
• The white part of the sumac root can help treat a toothache or canker sore.
• Wild grapes have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties for the heart. They are also a great source of dietary fiber, providing a laxative effect. The juice is rich in Vitamin C, E, iron, and niacin.

Kori Deibert, Faculty

During the Oct. 26^th Wellness Wednesday, Wellness Initiatives Coordinator, Kori Deibert, and Director of Investigations and Compliance from Public Safety, Chris Berry, partnered to offer students safe drinking tips for the upcoming Halloween weekend. Students were asked a question related to alcohol and were also asked to pour what they thought was a standard drink of beer into a solo cup. The lines on a solo cup are  indicative measurements of standard drink sizes for most liquors, wines, and beers. One standard drink is equivalent to 1 oz. – 1.5 oz. of hard liquor (depending on the proof), 5 oz. of wine, and 12 oz. of beer. Understanding that the size of the container is not an accurate way to measure a standard drink because there is so much variety in container sizes. A 16 oz beer can might appear to be a “single serving size” but  contains 1.5 standard drinks.

As we head into the season of holidays and celebrations, remember these safe drinking tips:

·        Avoid large-batch punches that may have a deceptively high alcohol content

·        Never leave your drink unattended

·        Be aware of sudden changes in the way your body feels

·        Eat before and while drinking

·        Alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks, such as water

·        Always use the buddy system. Make sure you leave with the same group you arrived with and never travel alone.