Also known as pitch of pinon pine. A Native American healing and religous ritual, used for purification, spiritual renewal, healing, and education. The lodge itself consists of a structure that generates hot moist air. A sweat lodge may be a small structure made from a frame of saplings, covered with skins, canvas or blanket. A depression is dug in the center into which hot rocks are positioned.
Water is thrown on the rocks to create steam.
A small flap opening is used to regulate the temperature. The sweat lodge ritual consists of songs, prayers, and other actions conducted in a tightly enclosed, extremely hot environment. Also known as hypericum perforatum . St. John's wort is also used for pre-menstrual syndrome. It also encourages the regeneration of new liver cells.