7/21/2016 31 Long­Forgotten Native American Medicinal Cures – REALfarmacy.

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31 Long-Forgotten Native American Medicinal

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native-cures/)

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by STEVE NUBIE (http://www.oҠthegridnews.com/)

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7/21/2016 31 Long­Forgotten Native American Medicinal Cures – REALfarmacy.com

(http://www.realfarmacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/native-american-cures.jpg)When it comes
to herbal remedies, many of us are familiar with the benefits of Echinacea or purple cone flower as an
antibiotic, willow bark as a pain killer and aloe as a topical anesthetic and treatment for skin conditions.
But that’s common knowledge compared to the insights and treatments that Native American medicine
men discovered and used.

Native American medicine men developed a wheel

(http://www.nd.gov/dhs/services/mentalhealth/prevention/pdf/medicine-wheel-all.pdf) very similar to
the yin/yang of Asian medicine. The use of herbal remedies and other alternative forms of treatment
was the cutting-edge medicine of their day. This was a holistic approach to medical treatment that
relied heavily on plants and their unique benefits.

What follows is list of indigenous plants, trees, fruits and flowers unique to North America that have
surprising benefits as defined by Native American (http://www.bodymindsoulspirit.com/10-pieces-of-
wisdom-from-native-american-elders/) tribes. If and when times are tough, it might be good to keep
some of these ancient cures in mind. They also are good for everyday needs when you consider how
effective some of them can be.

Licorice tea for a sore throat is a good example. It’s also interesting that many of these natural cures are
still in use today, including beeswax and bee pollen, chamomile and others. It’s a good demonstration
of the benefit of wisdom developed over centuries.

It’s hard to know how Native Americans

(http://www.healthandhealingny.org/tradition_healing/native.html) determined which plants might
have medicinal properties, although trial and error was probably one approach. It’s also thought that
they observed sick animals eating certain plants and determined that those plants must have a certain
property worth exploring.  Since that time, scientific studies
(http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/72/2/339.long) have verified the medicinal value of many plants. In
fact, common aspirin is derived from salicin, a chemical in the inner bark of willow trees that was used
in ancient times for fever and pain.

These medicines were usually administered via teas or pastes that were either ingested or applied
externally. Sometimes the plants were eaten as food or added to food or water. On occasion, a salve or
poultice was applied to open wounds. I would strongly recommend that you avoid the latter, given the
risk of infection from wild sources.

I’ve omitted many of the natural remedies. There was a use for mistletoe that I came across, but
mistletoe is essentially poisonous and if not used properly the results could be counter-productive, if
not deadly.

I’ve also found a great deal of redundancy. It seems like everything is good for a cough or diarrhea.
Rather than endlessly list plants that cure the same conditions over and over, I’ve tried to isolate this
grouping to the most prevalent plants that you may find and recognize. As always, if you are pregnant,
check with your doctor and do plenty of research before using any of these.

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Here’s the list:

1. Alfalfa: Relieves digestion and is used to aid blood clotting. Contemporary uses included treatment
of arthritis, bladder and kidney conditions and bone strength. Enhances the immune system.

2. Aloe: A cactus-like plant. The thick leaves can be squeezed to extrude a thick sap that can be used to
treat burns, insect bites and wounds.

3. Aspen: The inner bark or xylem is used in a tea to treat fever, coughs and pain. It contains salicin,
which also is found in willow trees and is the foundation ingredient for aspirin.

4. Bee pollen: When mixed with food it can boost energy, aid digestion and enhance the immune
system. If you’re allergic to bee stings you will most likely be allergic to bee pollen.

5. Beeswax: Used as a salve for burns and insect bites, including bee stings. Intended to only be used
externally.

6. Blackberry: The root, bark and leaves when crushed and infused in a tea are used to treat diarrhea,
reduce inflammation and stimulate the metabolism. As a gargle it treats sore throats, mouth ulcers and
inflammation of the gums.

7. Black Raspberry: The roots of this plant are crushed and used as a tea or boiled and chewed to
relieve coughs, diarrhea and general intestinal distress.

8. Buckwheat: The seeds are used in soups and as porridge to lower blood pressure, help with blood
clotting and relieve diarrhea.

9. Cayenne: The pods are used as a pain reliever when taken with food or drunk in a tea. Also used to
threat arthritis and digestive distress. It is sometimes applied to wounds as a powder to increase blood
flow and act as an antiseptic and anesthetic to numb the pain.

10. Chamomile: The leaves and flowers are used as a tea to treat intestinal problems and nausea.

11. Chokecherry: Considered by Native American tribes as an all-purpose medicinal treatment, the

berries were pitted, dried and crushed into a tea or a poultice to treat a variety of ailments. These
include coughs, colds, flu, nausea, inflammation and diarrhea. As a salve or poultice it is used to treat
burns and wounds. The pit of the chokecherry – much like apple seeds – are poisonous in high
concentrations. Be sure to pit the cherries if you’re considering this for any use.

12. Echinacea: Also known as purple coneflower, this is a classic Native American medicine that is used
to strengthen the immune system, fight infections and fever. It also is used as an antiseptic and general
treatment for colds, coughs and flu.

13. Eucalyptus: The oil from the leaves and roots is a common treatment when infused in a tea to treat
coughs, sore-throat, flu and fever. It’s used to this day as an ingredient in cough drops.

14. Fennel: A plant with a licorice flavor, this is used in a tea or chewed to relieve coughs, sore-throat,
aid digestion, offer relief to diarrhea and was a general treatment for colds. It also is used as a poultice
for eye relief and headaches.

15. Feverfew: Used to this day as a natural relief for fever and headaches – including severe headaches
like migraines – it also can be used for digestive problems, asthma and muscle and joint pains.

16. Feverwort: Another fever remedy that also is used for general pain, itching and joint stiffness. It can
be ingested as a tea or chewed, or crushed to a paste as a salve or poultice.

17. Ginger root: Another super plant in Native American medicine, the root was crushed and
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17. Ginger root: Another super plant in Native American medicine, the root was crushed and
consumed with food, as a tea or a salve or poultice. Known to this day for its ability to aid digestive
health, it also is anti-inflammatory, aids circulation and can relieve colds, coughs and flu, in addition to
bronchitis and joint pain.

18. Ginseng: This is another contemporary herb that has a history that goes back across cultures for
millennia. The roots were used by Native Americans as a food additive, a tea and a poultice to treat
fatigue, boost energy, enhance the immune system and help with overall liver and lung function. The
leaves and stems also were used, but the root has the most concentration of active ingredients.

19. Goldenrod: Commonly thought of today as a source of allergies and sneezing, it was actually
considered another all-in-one medicine by Native Americans. As a tea, an addition to food and a topical
salve, it is used to treat conditions from bronchitis and chest congestion to colds, flu, inflammation,
sore throats and as an antiseptic for cuts and abrasions.

20. Honeysuckle: The berries, stems, flowers and leaves are used to topically treat bee stings and skin
infections. As a tea, it is used to treat colds, headaches and sore throat. It also has anti-inflammatory
properties.

21. Hops: As a tea it is used to treat digestive problems and often mixed with other herbs or plants,
such as aloe, to soothe muscles. It also is used to soothe toothaches and sore throat.

22. Licorice: Roots and leaves can be used for coughs, colds, sore throats. The root also can be chewed
to relieve toothaches.

23. Mullein: As an infusion in tea or added to a salad or other food, this is a plant that has been used
by Native Americans to treat inflammation, coughs and congestion and general lung afflictions. It is
quite common and you probably have it growing in your backyard or somewhere close.

24. Passion 䐷碘ower: The leaves and roots are used to make a tea to treat anxiety and muscle pain. A
poultice for injuries to the skin such as burns, insect bites and boils also can be made from passion
flower.

25. Red clover: It grows everywhere and the flowers, leaves and roots are usually infused in a tea or are
used to top food. It is used to manage inflammation, improve circulation and treat respiratory
conditions.

26. Rose hip: This is the red to orange berry that is the fruit of wild roses. It is already known to be a
massive source of vitamin C and when eaten whole, crushed into a tea or added to food it is used to
treat colds and coughs, intestinal distress, as an antiseptic and to treat inflammation.

27. Rosemary: A member of the pine family and used in food and as a tea to treat muscle pain,
improve circulation and as a general cleanser for the metabolism.

28. Sage: A far-reaching shrub across much of North America, it is a natural insect repellent and can be
used for the standard list of digestive disorders, colds and sore throat.

29. Spearmint: Used consistently by Native American tribes for treatment of coughs, colds, respiratory
distress and as a cure for diarrhea and a stimulant for blood circulation.

30. Valerian: The root as an infusion in a tea relieves muscle aches, pain and is said to have a calming
effect.

31. White Pine: Ubiquitous and the needles and the inner bark can be infused in a tea. Used as a
standard treatment for respiratory distress and chest congestion.

If you’re an expert on Native American cures I’m sure you can add many to this list. There are some
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If you’re an expert on Native American cures I’m sure you can add many to this list. There are some
excellent books on nature’s cures and the specific medicinal properties that Native American tribes
discovered. Natural remedies are worth considering both from an historical and potentially practical
point-of-view. Just make sure you identify them properly and check with your physician before using.

Source:  offthegridnews.com (http://www.offthegridnews.com/alternative-health/31-long-forgotten-

native-american-medical-cures/)

What would you add to the list? Do you believe Native Americans knew more about medicine than
they are given credit? Share your thoughts in the section below:

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Wendy Joint

I would certainly add slippery elm, ground from the bark of a certain native American elm.

Very good for digestive problems. My grandmother used to swear by it in the 1950's and

you can still get it in UK. Better than a lot of medecines currently prescribed by GPs.

Like · Reply · 25 · Nov 15, 2015 12:42pm

Diane Maluorno · Aurora College

Mountain Laurel (Bay Leaf) makeing a tea like broth soaking cloths in the solution and

bath in area of exema, shingles, psoriasis and whole baths for larger area- about 6-8

leaves per 2 quarts water. grows wild in BC and Washinton state. Can be bought in stores

also

Like · Reply · 24 · Nov 15, 2015 12:48pm

Susie Noonan · Sonoma, California

Thank you.

Like · Reply · Nov 28, 2015 2:08pm

Sabina Missana

Great for colicky babies or when they have the flu or any type of upset stomach.

Boil a couple leaves and make a tea, or "special" water as we call it.

Like · Reply · 4 · Feb 18, 2016 1:37am

Carol Wiggers

Mountain Laurel is POISEN....not the same plant as Bay.....NEVER give Mt.

Laurel to babies or anyone else.

Like · Reply · 2 · May 6, 2016 9:34am

Show 1 more reply in this thread

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Becky Moon-Goettl · Licensed Massage Therapist at Elemental Massage

Would be nice to have some books named for those of us that want to further dive into

this. I have a lot of books that looked good when I saw them on Amazon, only to get them

and they were not so useful...

Like · Reply · 6 · Nov 15, 2015 1:02pm

David Hogan · Works at E-Commerce Work From Home

Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss or his family

Like · Reply · 26 · Nov 15, 2015 6:37pm

Lynnette Hallbick · Eligibility Technician at Maac

I love The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra. It's got western and eastern Herbs

and you can look stuff up by herb or by ailment.

Like · Reply · 14 · Nov 15, 2015 11:31pm

David Hogan · Works at E-Commerce Work From Home

There are several revisions but this one is over 30 years old.

http://www.amazon.com/Back-Eden-Classic.../dp/0912800127

Like · Reply · 6 · Dec 30, 2015 10:21am · Edited

Show 2 more replies in this thread

Zak Rudy · Musical Medicine Man at Cool Blue Dude Coffee Roasting

Just a point of fact: the correct terminology these days is "First Nation" people. You'll see

that used in all cultural based publications. The lessons of these great people are far too

often overlooked in todays society.

Like · Reply · 20 · Nov 15, 2015 1:12pm

Brad Gibbs · Oakland University

That's First Nation, that we know of, People.

Like · Reply · 3 · Nov 15, 2015 2:46pm

JoAnne Ward Albritton · Freelance Photographer at Freelance photographer

Actually we prefer the term American Indian.

Like · Reply · 29 · Nov 15, 2015 8:05pm

Zak Rudy · Musical Medicine Man at Cool Blue Dude Coffee Roasting

JoAnne Ward Albritton Well, I'm not speaking for all but my knowledge comes

from the Pomos here on the CA coast, and others around. All abhor having

anything to do with "America" in the title, understandably imho. I have not seen

that term used in online pubs either.

Like · Reply · 4 · Nov 15, 2015 8:08pm

Show 3 more replies in this thread

April Moritz

Ginger root is also good for nausea. I've used it many times, especially during pregnancy!

Like · Reply · 11 · Nov 15, 2015 1:17pm

Marishka Noyb

I give my grandkids Real Ginger ale soda

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I give my grandkids Real Ginger ale soda

Like · Reply · 8 · Dec 29, 2015 7:21pm

Connie Wardle Schuyler Shomaker · Retired

yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa at Wal-Mart Pharmacy

Marishka Noyb where can you get giger ale soda??

Like · Reply · 1 · Feb 20, 2016 7:44am

John K Snake

Also root beer from sassafras trees

My grampa made root beer but it was too strong for me as s boy and I got sick on

it. I'm making some this fall and it will be mild and strong so children and adults

can enjoy the drink

Better than A +W.

Like · Reply · 6 · Feb 21, 2016 5:26pm

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