Native Americans used a variety of herbal medicines for treating a plethora of illnesses. An article published in AskaPrepper.com listed 23 of the most commonly-used plants in the arsenal of Native American medicine.
Read more : Native American Medicinal Plants
- Blackberry – These antioxidant-rich berries were commonly used by the Cherokee people to treat an upset stomach. Blackberry tea is used to relieve swollen tissue and joints, and treat diarrhea. Blackberry root mixed with honey or maple syrup is a potent, all-natural cough syrup.
- Mint – The Cherokee brewed mint tea to relieve digestion problems.
- Yarrow – Ancient Greeks used yarrow to stem excess bleeding. The pioneers and Aborigines also used the plant as a poultice applied directly on open wounds to promote blood clotting.
- Rosemary – This plant is considered sacred among Native American tribes. They used the plant as an analgesic to ease sore joints, muscle pain and spasms. Rosemary is also used to improve memory and boost the circulatory, immune, and nervous system.
- Sumac – While the plant has many uses, Native American healers primarily used it for treating eye problems. It is also used as a gargle for sore throat.
- Black gum bark – The Cherokee people used to brew mild tea from twigs and black gum bark to ease chest pain.
- Cattail – Known as the “supermarket of the swamp,” cattails are an excellent food source among the Native Americans. The plant’s easily digestible parts make it an ideal recovery food.
- Red clover – Native American healers used red clover to treat inflammation and respiratory conditions.
- Wild rose – Wild rose is used for the treatment of the common cold. The Native Americans also used this plant as a mild diuretic, while a petal infusion is used to cure sore throat.
- Greenbriar – This plant is also known as “pull out a sticker.” Brewed greenbriar root is an excellent blood purifier for relieving joint pain.
- Buck Brush – Also known as “hummingbird blossom,” Native Americans used this plant to treat a plethora of diseases such as mouth and throat conditions, inflammation, cysts and fibriod tumors.
- Wild ginger – This plant is commonly used to treat earache and ear infection.
- Saw palmetto – Native American healers used this plant to relieve abdominal pain, and to promote appetite and digestion.
- Sage – Just like rosemary, sage is considered a sacred plant among Native Americans. They used this plant to treat abdominal cramps, spasms, colds, and flu.
- Prickly pear cactus – Poultice made from mature cactus pads relieves wounds, burns and boils.
- Slippery elm – Brewed tree bark health soothes toothache and treats skin conditions, respiratory infections, and sore throats.
- Lavender – Native Americans used lavender to address insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
- Mullein – Concoctions made from mullein roots relieve swelling joints, hands, and feet.
- Honeysuckle – This plant is used to treat asthma, arthritis, mumps, and hepatitis.
- Uva Ursi – Native Americans used this plant to treat bladder and urinary tract infection.
- Licorice root – Native American healers used this plant to ease stomach problems, food poisoning, and bronchitis.
- Devil’s claw – Tea made from devil’s claw may reduce the effects of diabetes. The plant is also used to treat skin conditions, arthritis, and digestion issues.
- Ashwagandha – The plant is used to treat a variety of ailments including bone weakness, muscle weakness, and tension as well as loose teeth, memory loss, and rheumatism.
Read more : Medicinal Plants of North America
Native American medicine has long been touted for its effective use of plants in healing a variety of diseases. Native American medicine is believed to be as old as 40,000 years and is practically a combination of health practices of more than 500 distinct nations residing in the Americas prior to European exploration at the end of the 15th century. The practice is widely recognized for its philosophy: That man is a part of nature and that health is about achieving balance.
Each of the herbs below has many other properties, in addition to the ones listed here.
You may be surprised by the length of this list! (Note: Herbs used as Medicine need to be fresh or within 2 years from Date of Bottling).
Allspice – powerful antioxidant; can ease hypertension
Star Anise – Aids in digestion and helps stop coughing, anti-viral
Bay leaf – extremely powerful anti-oxidant (more potent than vitamin C), highly anti-bacterial
Basil – Helps clear head congestion during a cold, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral
Cardamom – Helps digestion of dairy products and soothes the stomach digestion.
Cinnamon – anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, diabetes. It can help heal the gut and strengthen your body against sickness. It helps to warm the body during flu season. It also helps in clearing mucus congestion resulting from flu and colds.
Cayenne – anti-bacterial, antiseptic, circulatory stimulant, immune stimulant
Cloves – anti-viral, anti-bacterial; combats cold sores
Caraway seed – anti-bacterial
Coriander seed – antioxidant
Cumin – antioxidant, high in vit A & C, anti-bacterial, digestion
Dill – helps to clear congestion in respiratory system
Fennel – Digestion, anti-bacterial, Controls bad breath and, when chewed after spicy meals, masks the odor of garlic and onions.
Garlic – anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, anti-parasitic, anti-viral
Ginger Root – anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory
Lemon balm – anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anti-viral (especially helpful flu/cold, cold sores, herpes simplex & shingles)
Marjoram – powerful antioxidant
Mints – Stops intestinal gas, calms indigestion, controls nausea, and sweetens the breath.
– Can be very helpful with lung conditions, aids congestion.
Nutmeg – anti-bacterial (known as a blood purifier), anti-viral effective against diarrhea causing ‘rotavirus’, anti-anxiety
Oregano – King of infection fighting herbs, has powerful infection-fighting properties.
Parsley – Promotes urinary flow and provides antioxidants.
Black Pepper – Queen of infection fighting herbs – anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, anti-viral. Traditional Chinese medicine has been using this herb to reduce phlegm from colds.
Rosemary – powerful antioxidant, anti-bacterial (Avoid if High Blood Pressure)
Sage – anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory
Tarragon – antioxidant
Thyme – Similar to oregano properties, A natural antibiotic, soothes chest congestion and can help to soothe cough.
Turmeric – Highly anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, anti-viral, combats ‘bad’ bacteria in gut which can cause gas
and bloating, eases digestion. Bonus of being HIGHLY anti-cancer herb.
Sipping on hot herbal teas is another way to relieve congestion, cough and throat irritation.