In addition to community rituals, healing is sought through purification of the body. A sweat lodge is something like a sauna. Water poured over heated rocks creates large clouds of steam. Those taking part sweat heavily. This process is thought to cleanse the body and purify it.
Herbal remedies remain in common use in native American healing.
One native remedy, tea brewed from the bark of the willow tree, was found to contain salicin, today used in the form of aspirin. Native Americans had long used willow bark tea to treat joint pain. The extensive knowledge developed over many years in the use of herbs has value in treating a variety of ills and reducing pain. There is little scientific evidence that the fundamental concepts behind native American healing can cure illness. However, the communal support provided by this religious-cultural approach to health care can have worthwhile benefits.