Native American Healing Herbs
Understanding the Properties of Herbs Used by the American Indians
Feb 23, 2009
Native American Indian tribes have a great understanding of how complex herbs can be used in healing remedies; however, understanding herbs is not easy as although herbs have the capacity to heal, many medicinal herbs also have the potential to poison or are extremely toxic. Native American healers are practiced in the art of phytotherapy (treatment of illnesses with plant/plant-derived material) and pharmacognosy (drugs and medicines derived from natural resources and plants).
Plants can be used in many ways to heal. In aromatherapy, it is the essential oils of plants which are used; in herbalogy, it is the plant material itself which is used for medicinal purposes. However plants are used, an understanding of botany is essential; being able to distinguish between a poisonous or toxic herb and a non-poisonous or non-toxic herb, and knowing how much to use, may be the difference between life and death.
Native American Adaptogens : Ginseng
Some herbs are capable of helping the body combat the effects of every day stress on mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health; these herbs are called adaptogens. Native American adaptogens include American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius); ginseng can be found in many health care, food and beverage products and in herbal and health remedies.
Analgesic Native American Herbs
Analgesic herbs are those which are capable of helping relieve pain; analgesic herbs can also aid in digestion (in herbal teas), help with childbirth contractions and regulate periods. American Indian healers use the following native herbs as analgesics:
- Blue flag (Iris versicolor)
- Black birch (Betula lenta)
- American white hellebore (Vertatrum viride)
- Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra)
- Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens).
Antiseptic and Antibiotic Native American Herbs
An antiseptic or antibiotic herb will kill or prevent the growth of bacteria and other hazardous organisms; there are a great number of herbs and plants which carry this property. Native American Indian herbs which are antiseptic or antibiotic include:
- Hops (Humulus lupulus)
- Horsemint (Mondara punctata)
- Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia)
- Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis).
Astringent Native American Herbs
Astringent herbs are capable of cleansing the skin and making it tighter or looser; native American Indian astringent herbs include:
- Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
- Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
- Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
- Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus)
- Shinleaf (Pyrola elliptica)
- Goldthread (Coptis groenlandica)
- Canada anemone (Anemone canadensis)
- Striped pipsissewa (Chimaphila maculata)
- Tall cinquefoil (Potentilla arguta).
Nervine Native American Herbs
Herbs which are described as nervines are capable of calming or strengthening the nerves; native American healing herbs which are nervine include:
- Wild clematis (Clematis virginiana)
- Wild cucumber (Echinocystis lobata)
- Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium)
- Indian pipes (Monotropa uniflora)
- Black haw (Viburnum prunifolium)
- Moccasin flower (pink lady's slipper) (Cypripedium acaule).
Poisonous or Toxic Native American Healing Herbs
Many of the herbs mentioned above are also, in fact, poisonous or toxic; these are the harmful side effects of some healing herbs. Some harmful side effects of toxic herbs are carcinogenic, allergenic and phototoxicity. Native American Indians have successfully used these herbs in healing as they now fully understand the botany and chemical make-up and medicinal properties of the herbs.
Similar to the side effects of modern day prescription medicines, the potentially hazardous side effects can be managed with knowledge and understanding. However, it is advisable not to use any of these herbs in healing unless the power and properties of the herbs are fully understood. Those native American healing herbs which are toxic or poisonous include (although this list is not exhaustive):
- Striped pipsissewa (Chimaphila maculata) – toxic in some situations
- Hops (Humulus lupulus) – toxic in some situations
- Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
- American white hellebore (Vertatrum viride)
- Blue flag (Iris versicolor).
Related Reading by the Same Author:
References:
Kavasch, E.Barrie, Baar, Karen 1999 American Indian Healing Arts USA: Bantam
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