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Native Herbs and Meds
Sunday, September 26, 2010 11:27 AM

The                     old ones tell us that at one time, the animals, fish, insects                     and plants could all talk. Together with the people, they                     were at peace and had a great friendship. As time went on,                     the numbers of people grew so much that their settlements                     spread over the whole earth, and the animals found themselves                     cramped for space. To make things worse, the people invented                     bows, knives, blowguns, spears, and hooks, and they began                     to hunt and kill the larger animals, birds and fish only                     for their hides. The smaller creatures, like the frogs and                     worms, were stepped upon and crushed without thought, out                     of carelessness, and sometimes even contempt. The animals                     decided to meet in a council to agree on measures for their                     safety.

The                   bears were the first ones to meet in a council, at Mulberry                   Place, or Kuwahi mountain. The old White Bear Chief led the                   council. After each one had his turn of complaining about the                   way people killed their friends, ate their flesh, and used                   their skins for his own purposes, they decided to begin a war                   at once against man. One of the bears asked what kind of weapons                   the people used to destroy them. "Bows and arrows!" exclaimed                   all the Bears together. "What are they made of?" was                   the next question. "The bow is made of wood, and the string                   is made of our entrails," replied one of the Bears. They                   then decided they would make a bow and see if they could use                   the same type of weapon the people were using. One of the Bears                   got a nice piece of locust wood, and another bear sacrificed                   himself for the good and betterment of his brothers of sisters.                   He offered to let his entrails be used for the string of the                   bow. When everything was ready, a Bear found that in letting                   the arrow fly after drawing the string, his long claws got                   in the way and his shot was ruined. He was very frustrated,                   but someone suggested they clip his claws. After this, it was                   found that the arrow went straight to the mark. But, the Chief                   White Bear objected, saying they must not trim their claws                   as they needed them to climb trees. "One of us already                   gave his life, and if we cut off our claws, then we must all                   starve together. I think we should trust and use the teeth                   and claws the Creator gave us, and it is plain that the people's                   weapons were not made for us."

They                   could not think of a better plan, so the chief White Bear dismissed                   council and the Bears dispersed throughout the woods without                   having come up with a way to protect themselves. Had they come                   up with such a way, we would not be at war with the Bears,                   but the way it is today, the hunter does not even ask the Bear's                   pardon when he kills one.

The                   Deer held the next council, under their Chief Little Deer.                   They decided they would send arthritis to every hunter who                   kills one of them, unless he made sure to ask their pardon                   for the offense. They sent out a notice of their decision to                   the nearest settlement of Cherokees and told them how they                   could avoid this. Now, whenever a hunter shoots a Deer, Little                   Deer, who is swift as the wind and cannot be harmed, goes quickly                   to the spot and asks the spirit of the Deer if it has heard                   the prayer of the hunter, asking for pardon. If the spirit                   replies yes, everything is in balance. If the reply is no,                   Little Deer follows the trail of the hunter, and when resting                   in his home, Little Deer enters invisibly and strikes the hunter                   with arthritis. No hunter who regards his own health ever fails                   to ask pardon of the Deer for killing it.

Next,                   the Fish and Reptiles held their own council. They decided                   to make their victims dream of snakes climbing about them,                   and blowing stinky breath in their faces. They also dream of                   decaying fish, so that they would lose their appetites and                   die of hunger.

Finally,                   the Birds, Insects and smaller animals came together for their                   own council. The Grubworm was the Chief of the council. They                   decided that each should give his opinion, and then they would                   vote as to whether or not the people were guilty. Seven votes                   would be enough for a guilty verdict. One after another, they                   complained about man's cruelty and disrespect. The Frog spoke                   first, saying, "We must do something to slow down how                   fast they are multiplying! Otherwise, we will disappear from                   the face of the earth through extinction!" The Frog continued, "They                   have kicked me about because they say I am ugly and now my                   back is covered with sores." He showed them the spots                   on his back. Next, the Bird condemned people because, "They                   burn off my feet in the barbecue!" Others followed with                   their own complaints. The Groundsquirrel was the only one to                   say something in the people's defense, because he was so small                   he did not endure the hunting and disrespect. The others became                   so angry at him, the swooped on him and tore him with their                   claws. The stripes are on his back until this day.

They                   began to name so many new diseases, one after another. The                   Grubworm was more and more pleased as all these new names were                   being called off.

Then                   the Plants, who were friendly to man, heard about all these                   things the animals were doing to the people. Each tree, shrub,                   and herb, agreed to furnish a cure for some of the diseases.                   Each said, "I will appear and help the people when they                   call upon me." This is how the medicines came to be. Every                   plant has a use, if only we would learn it and remember it.                   They have furnished the remedy to counteract the diseases brought                   on by the revengeful animals. Even weeds were made for some                   good purpose. You must ask, and learn for yourself. When a                   doctor does not know which medicine to use, the spirit of the                   plant will tell the sick person.

The                 Cherokee have been gifted by the Creator with an understanding                 of the gathering, use and preservation of medicinal herbs.  The                 Cherokee believe that these plants were put on this earth to                 provide not only healing methods, but preventative measures,                 as well.              

Many                 plants have disappeared throughout the years, or have become                 extremely scarce.  Because                 of this, we recommend extreme care in gathering wild herbs and                 other plants.  The                 old ones taught that when you gather, only pick or dig every                 third plant you find. This will ensure that enough specimens                 remain to continue propagation. Many traditionalists carry on                 the practice of asking the plant’s permission to be gathered,                 and leave a small gift of thanks.  This                 can be a small bead or other such item.  It                 is also recommended by Cherokee traditionalists that should you                 find a wild crop of useful herbs, do not share it’s location                 unless it is to a person very close to you.  This                 will ensure that large numbers of people do not clean out an                 entire wild crop in a short time.

Additional                 information regarding the gathering, usage and application of                 medicinal herbs can be found by talking to the elders of a Cherokee                 family.  Many of                 these people will still recall some of the home remedies that                 their families used, as well as provide information on herbs                 which they themselves use.

Remember,                   these plants are very valuable as medicines because of the                   great chemical powers they contain.                   At the same time, these chemicals can be potentially dangerous                   if used in the wrong way. Cherokee herbalist’s have great experience,                   and have gone through extensive training and observation. Novice                   herbal practitioners are advised to seek out and develop a                   close relationship with Cherokee herbalist’s or their elders                   to learn                 how to use these medicines properly.

 

 

                                                                             Native Herbs

 




Spignet
    Backache
    Make tea or powder of the roots


Rabbit Tobacco
    Colds
    Make tea of leaves and stalks


Red Alder
    High Blood
    Made tea of bark


Wild Cherry
    Measles and colds
    Made tea of bark


Beech Bark
    Vomiting
    Make tea


Peach Leaves
    Boils and risings
    Make poultice from leaves and meal


Boneset
    Pneumonia
    Make tea of leaves and stalks


Small Ragweed
    Poison oak or ivy
    Heat leaves and rub on


Goldenrod
    Consumption
    Make tea of leaves and stalks


Ratbane
    Typhoid fever
    Make tea of               leaves and stalks


Elder
    Heartburn
    Make tea of bark


Ginseng
    Colic
    Make tea of the roots


12 O'Clock Weed
    Kills flies
    Crush leaves in sweet milk


Queen of the Meadow
    Nausea at certain times
    Make tea of leaves and roots


Christmas Fern
    Fever
    Make tea of leaves or stems


Ground Ivy
    Hives
    Make tea of leaves or stems


Yellow Root
    Sore mouth, sore throat or stomach trouble
    Make tea of the roots


Heat Leaves
    Cold
    Beat the whole plant and make tea


Bull Nettle
    Stop teething babies from slobbering
   

Make beads of roots                                                                     


Blackberry

One of the herbs known the longest                       time for soothing stomach problems is the blackberry. Using                       a strong tea from the roots is helpful is reducing and                       soothing swollen tissues and joints. An infusion from the                       leaves is also used as a tonic for stimulating the entire                       system. A decoction from the roots, sweetened with sugar                       or honey, makes a syrup used for an expectorant. It is                       also healing for sore throats and gums. The leaves can                       also be chewed fresh to soothe bleeding gums. The Cherokee                       historically use the tea for curing diarrhea.

 

 

Gum (Black Gum)

 

Cherokee healers use                       a mild tea made from small pieces of the bark and twigs                       to relieve chest pains.

 

Hummingbird Blossoms (Buck Brush)

 

This herb is used by Cherokee healers                       by making a weak decoction of the roots for a diuretic                       that stimulates kidney function.

 

Cat Tail (Cattail Reed)

 

This             plant is not a healing agent, but             is used for preventative medicine. It is an easily digestible food             helpful for recovering             from illness,                         as it is bland. Most all parts of the plant, except for                         the mature leaves and the seed head, are edible. Due             to wide-spread growing areas, it is a reliable food source                         all across America. The root has a very high starch content,                         and can be gathered at any time. Preparation is very             similar to potatoes, and can be mashed, boiled, or even mixed with                         other foods. The male plant provides a pollen that is             a                         wonderful source for protein. You can add it as a supplement                         to other kinds of  flour                 when making breads.

 

Pull Out a Sticker (Greenbriar)



 

   A                         decoction of the small roots of this plant is useful                         as a blood purifier. It is also a mild diuretic. Some                         healers make a salve from the leaves and bark, mixed                         with hog lard, and apply to minor sores, scalds and burns.                         Some Cherokee healers also use the root tea for arthritis.
 

Mint

                   Mint                     teas are a stimulant for the stomach, as it aids in digestion.                     The crushed and bruised leaves can be used as a cold compress,                     made into a salve, or added to the bath water which relieves                     itching skin. Cherokee healers also use an infusion of the                     leaves and stems to lower high blood pressure.   

 

 Tobacco-like                     Plant (Mullein)

 

 This                     is one of the oldest herbs, and some healers recommend inhaling                     the smoke from smoldering mullein roots and leaves to soothe                     asthma attacks and chest congestion. The roots can be made                     into a warm decoction for soaking swollen feet or reducing                     swelling in joints. It also reduces swelling from inflammation                     and soothes painful, irritated tissue. It is particularly                     useful to the mucous membranes. A tea can be made from the                     flowers for a mild sedative. 

 

  Qua                       lo ga (Sumac)   All                     parts of the common sumac have a medicinal use. Mild decoctions                     from the bark can be used as a gargle for sore throats, and                     may be taken for a remedy for diarrhea. A tea from the leaves                     and berries also reduces fevers. Fresh bruised leaves and                     ripe berries are made into a poultice which soothes poison                     ivy. A drink from the ripened or dried berries makes a pleasant                     beverage which is a good source of vitamin C.
                                                           

Squirrel                   Tail, or Saloli gatoga (Yarrow)

 

Yarrow                   has many uses. The best known use is to stop excess bleeding.                   Freshly crushed leaves can be applied to open wounds or cuts,                   and the properties of the herb will cause the blood to clot.                   A fresh juice of yarrow, diluted with spring or distilled water,                   can held internal bleeding such as stomach and intestinal disorders.                   The leaves, prepared as a tea, is believed to stimulate intestinal                   functions and aid in digestion. It also helps the flow of the                   kidneys, as well as the gallbladder. A decoction made of the                   leaves and stems acts as an astringent, and is a wonderful                   wash for all kinds of skin problems such as acne, chapped hands,                   and other irritations.

Looks                     Like Coffee, or Kawi Iyusdi (Yellow Dock)

 

This                     plant is not only a medicinal herb, but also a food. It is                     much like spinach, but believe it or not, contains MORE vitamins                     and minerals. Because of the long taproot, it gathers nutrients                     from deep underground. The leaves are a source of iron, and                     also have laxative properties. Juices from the stems, prepared                     in a decoction, can be made into an ointment with beeswax                     and olive oil, and used for itching, minor sores, diaper                     rash, and other irritations. Cherokee herbalists prescribe                     a warm wash made from the decoction of crushed roots for                     a disinfectant. Juice from the root, not prepared in any                     certain way, is said to be a cure for ringworm. 

 

Big                   Stretch, or Nuyigala dinadanesgi utana (Wild Ginger)

 

The                     Cherokee commonly recommend a mild tea of this herb, made                     from the rootstock which is a mild stimulant for the digestive                     system. It can also help colic, intestinal gas, or the common                     upset stomach. A strong, hot infusion of the roots can act                     as an expectorant in eliminating mucus from the lungs. Fresh                     wild ginger may be substituted for the regular store-bought                     ginger roots as a spice for cooking.

 

What                   Rabbits Eat, or Jisdu unigisdi (Wild Rose)

 

The                   ripe fruit of the Wild Rose is a rich source of Vitamin C,                   and is a reliable preventative and cure for the common cold.                   The tea from the hips is a mild diuretic, and stimulates the                   bladder and kidneys. When the infusion of the petals is used,                   it is an ancient remedy for sore throats. Cherokee healers                   recommend a decoction of the roots for diarrhea.

 

Willow                   Bark

 

The                   bark of the branches is stripped and dried.  A                   tea is made from the bark that is useful for aches, pains and                   headaches.  This                   is the original aspirin !

 

 


Yigaquu                   osaniyu adanvto adadoligi nigohilvi nasquv                   utloyasdi nihi

May the                   Great Spirit's Blessings Always Be With You