9. **The Sacred Healing Waters**

Many hot springs and thermal features have been credited with curative qualities throughout Yellowstone’s history, which has spawned many stories about its miraculous ability. Various tribes have holy sites inside the park where they thought the mineral-rich streams may heal certain diseases. These stories of blind people seeing again, crippled people walking again, and chronic diseases vanishes following ceremonial immersion in particular springs speak to us. Prays, offerings, and exact time based on natural cycles abound in the legends as specific methods for reaching and using these healing waters. Although modern science has verified the presence of several useful minerals in these waters, their usage is currently strictly forbidden due of preservation efforts and safety issues.