Spuce Gum – OWLG-#405

It’ll pull the fillings out of your teeth and, but within reason, aid in healing wounds. It tastes wonderful but is hard to find these days. What is it? Spruce gum. In the old days, you might have seen it in your local apothecary shop. But you’ll search in vain for it in a CVS or Walgreens.

Spruce gum was introduced to the European settlers by the Native Americans. As I hinted, it’s blessing and a curse. It tastes terrific, but will suck fillings right out of your teeth, and send you to the dentist. The dentist will peer in your mouth and ask. “What the heck have you been putting into your mouth?” Then, after charging you an extravagant amount for new fillings, you’ll be sent on your way with an admonition not to do it again.

You’ll grumble something about it being a Bastard’s Moon before you’ll be so stupid again. But the next time you visit northern Maine, you’ll stop into one of those little camp stores, and there on the counter will be a little box of it. On the counter might be a small handwritten sign. It’ll say something like, “Chew at your own risk. You’ve been warned!”

After you lose a filling your spouse will demand that you hand over the remains of the pack before you totally break the budget for medical and dental expenses.

I must admit that when I go to northern Maine, I, too, will be tempted. When I see that box on the counter, my hand will tremble, my resolve tested.

It’s a terrible sight to see a spruce gum addict with sweet balsam-scented breath, stumbling around without a tooth in their head. Beware! Oh take care.