Leaves

Ayu grows very abundantly on the open tundra in and around Golovin. The small shrub covers the tundra with thick matted stems with only needle like leaves. The leaves are a dark green on top with a cinnamon-brown colored, woolly underside. The white flowers form an umbel shaped head at the top of the stems.

The leaves are mixed with black tea to make a strong, aromatic brew that most of the Elders in Golovin enjoy. Maggie Olson uses fresh leaves in the summer, but collects enough to let the stems dry for use in the winter. When the stems are dry, the leaves fall off, and she stores them in a jar.

Debbie Amorak said that she used to collect ayu for her mother, Agnes Amorak, but she stopped bringing it to her when her mother was experiencing leg cramps at night. Eric Hulten, in "Flora of Alaska", warns against using this plant because it contains ledol, a poisonous substance that causes cramps and paralysis. I, personally, stopped drinking the tea when my grandma offered it to me for fear that I would get cramps. However, Grandma told me a cure for cramps that she had read about in an article about Chinese medicine. When you first get a cramp you are supposed to grab your upper lip with your fore finger and your thumb. She demonstrated, then laughed hysterically. I know that the Iñupiaq Eskimos have been drinking ayu for a very long time, so it must not be very dangerous. In large volumes the plant would probably have an effect on it's users, but moderate consumption should not cause harm.