Native American Herbs


   A long time ago in North America were Native Americans. A community of people just like today except they didn't have restaurants, modern medicine, and shopping malls. They made their own homes, food, medicine, and clothing, but from animals and herbs they found around them. Below are some of the herbs used  thousands of years ago as medicine; however, some people still use these today.



Asthma

Skunk Cabbage was used by the Dakota and Winnebago tribes to stimulate the removal of asthma.The rootstock was official from 1820 to 1882 in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia when it was used for nervous and respiratory disorders.
Backache

Arnica roots were used in a tea to treat back pain by the Catawba tribe. The 22nd edtion of the Dispensary of the United States
stated this drug can be lethally poisonous if taken internally.Also used to treat and wash bruises and sprains.
The Catwaba steeped and crushed horsemint  leaves in cold water and drank it.

Bronchitis


The leaves of the Cerosete Bush were used in a tea used for bronchial and other respiratory problems. The Nanchez tribe drank a tea made of boiled roots to cure pneumonia and it was later usedto help the explusion of phlem, Wormwood.
The Kiowa Indians boiled the blossoms of the yellow-spined thistle and used the liquid to treat burns and skin sores.

Child Birth


The Cherokee boiled Partrigeberry leaves to make a tea to speed childbirth. Frequent doses were taken prior to the expected
date of birth. To promote the speed of birth,an infusion of warm water and the root was drunk several weeks priorto the expected date of birth.



Stop Post-Partum Hemorage


Hopi women were given an infusion of the whole buckwheat plant to stop bleeding.Arikara  women were given a drink made from the berries of the Black Western Chokecherry to stop bleeding.
The Omahas boiled the fruits from the smooth upland sumac and used the liquid as an external wash to stop bleeding

Name: Scientific Name: Cure:
BLACK SNAKEROOT Sanicula Marilandica (Carrot Family) Cure for sore throat and fever
AMERICAN MISTLETOE Phoradendron Glavescens Is used in folk medicine as antihypertensive and sedative. Toxic, unsafe
AMERICAN ELDER S. Canadensis (Honeysuckle Family)  Syrup from berry juice was a remedy for coughs. 
AMERICAN CHESTNUT Castanea Dentate Leaves make tea that soothes irritated mucous membranes and relieves cough due to irritation. Leaves, twigs, bark, and flowering catkins are astringents and can be used to control bleeding and to aid healing
BALSAM FIR Abies Balsamea Aromatic resin served as salve for cuts, sores, & burns. Is used internally for colds, coughs, and asthma. Inner bark is brewed into a tea as a remedy for chest pains. Twigs, steeped in water acted as a laxative. Natives held bits of the root in the mouth for mouth sores. Needles were placed by the handfuls were placed on hot coals in sweat baths and would be inhaled to clear up congestion of colds and coughs.
CALIFORNIA POPPY Eschscholzia California Indians used this plant as a painkiller, especially toothaches. It was also used for insomnia and headache. The plant was cooked in olive oil to make hair tonic for thick and shiny hair (Spanish heritage -hair tonic).
CONEFLOWER Echinacea Angustifolia (Composite Family): Indians held this plant in high regard. It was used for snakebite, other poisonous bites, stings, and toothache. Inhaling plant smoke recommended as headache remedy.
DOGWOOD Cornus Florida (Dogwood Family):  They simmered the bark in water and used the extract to relieve sore and aching muscles. Tea was also used to promote sweating and break a fever.
BIG SAGEBRUSH Artemisia Tridentata Natives chewed the leaves to ease stomach gas. Tea was brewed from the leaves for stomach disorders as well as colds and sore eyes.
BIRTHROOT Trillium Erectum Natives applied poultices and lotions from the bruised leaves to insect bites and skin irritations.
BLACK BIRCH Betula Lenta Bark has astringent properties used in treating wounds. Oil is applied externally to alleviate pain of sore muscles
BLACK COHOSH Cimicifuga Racemose Brew made from the rhizome was used by Indians as remedy for menstral cramps and pains of childbirth. A poultice made from rhizome was used as snakebite remedy.
BLUE COHOSH Caulopphyllum Thalictroides (Barberry Family) Natives ground rhizome with roots into powder and used as a remedy for rheumatism, colic, bronchitis, and menstral cramps.
BLUE FLAG Iris Versicolor (Iris Family) Natives used it as a poultice for treating sores and bruises.
BONESET Eupatorium Perfoliatum (Composite Family) Natives used it to treat fevers associated with colds, influenza, malaria, and similar recurrent illnesses
BUCKBEAN  Menyanthes Trifoliata (Buckbean Family) Natives used the boiled roots and stems to make decoction for spitting blood and other internal problems. It was also used to treat skin diseases, jaundice and intestinal worms.
GARLIC Allium Canadense This plant was relied on to treat snakebite, intestinal worms, and a variety of medical problems.
HACKMATACK P. Balsamifera (related to Black Poplar) Indians used resins for aches, pains, sprains, burns, heart trouble, and tumors.
INDIAN TOBACCO Lobelia Inflata (Lobelia Family) Indians used the leaves for smoking to relieve asthma and other lung ailments. The FDA says it is poisonous.
OSWEGO TEA Monarda Didyma (Mint Family) It was reputed to be a treatment for colds and sore throats.
SENECA SNAKEROOT Polygala Senega (Milkweed Family) They brewed teas from the roots to control fevers and ease heart troub