The following exerts under this heading, Native American Herbal Remedies, will be from: The Cherokee Messenger Copyright © 1996 The Cherokee Cultural Society of Houston
Asthma
Skunk Cabbage. Used by the Winnebago and Dakota tribes to stimulate the removal of phlegm in asthma. The rootstock was official in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1882 when it was used in respiratory and nervous disorders and in rheumatism and dropsy.
Mullein. Introduced by Europeans. The Menominees smoked the pulverized, dried root for respiratory complaints while the Forest Potawatomis, the Mohegans, and the Penobscots smoked the dried leaves to relieve asthma. The Catawba Indians used a sweetened syrup from the boiled root, which they gave to their children for coughs.
Backache
Arnica. The Catawba Indians used a tea of arnica roots for treating back pains. The Dispensary of the United States (22nd edition) states this drug can be dangerous if taken internally and that it has caused severe and even fatal poisoning. Also used as a wash to treat sprains and bruises.
Gentian. The Catawba Indians steeped the roots in hot water and applied the hot fluid on aching backs.
Horsemint. The Catawba tribe crushed and steeped fresh horsemint leaves in cold water and drank the infusion to allay back pain. Other tribes used horsemint for fever, inflammation, and chills.
Sources: Millspaugh, Charles F. American Medicinal Plants. NY:Dover Publications, 1974.
Mooney, James. Myths of the Cherokee and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees. Nashville TN: Charles and Randy Elders, Publishers, 1982.
Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine Earth Food. NY: Fawcett Columbine, 1980.
CheyFire
2 comments:
These are so interesting. Where would one find thing herbs though. I would love to try the ones for backaches! Love this journal!
Most herbs can be purchased through health food stores, or if there are none in your area, you can look up herbal medicines to buy online. I get mine that way.
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