5 Herbs Discovered and Used by Native Americans

Usually discussions regarding herbs center around those culinary and medicinal herbs first used by the ancient Greeks and Romans and later introduced to Western Europe, which, in turn, introduced them to the New World. Any discussion involving herbs, however, should also include the Native American Indians of North America, who passed on their herbal knowledge to the colonists. Following are 5 of those herbs.

Bee Balm (Monarda didyma). Bee balm was discovered in the area of New York known as Oswego by the tribe of the same name. Tribe members would drink a tea made of the herb for pleasure and to treat such ailments as coughs, sore throats, and nausea. An interesting historical note: Bee balm tea was drunk by the colonists in place of black tea during the Boston Tea Party.

Birch (Betula spp.). Native Americans used the leaves of the black birch to make a tea to treat headaches and rheumatism. Other tribes used both the leaves and the bark to treat ailments such as fevers, flatulence, and kidney stones. Poultices were also made from the bark and applied to wounds, bruises, and burns.

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis). Native Americans discovered that they could use the red-orange sap that flowed from the stem and root of this herb to dye their skin and their clothes. Some tribes made a tea from the roots to treat sore throats, fevers, and rheumatism, while other tribes applied the sap directly to the skin to cure skin cancers.

Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum). This is an interesting herb for several reasons. For example, despite its name, boneset was not used to set broken bones. Instead it was used by Native Americans to treat coughs and fevers. (In all fairness, a flu that caused that all-over achy feeling was called a breakbone fever.) Boneset was used quite a lot by Native Americans and then the colonists. It traveled to Europe, where it was used as a cold remedy until the 19th century. Finally it was realized that boneset actually does not work at all. In fact, some studies have shown that it can cause severe liver and kidney damage. Today, boneset is just considered a weed.

Cascara Sagrada (Ramnus purshiana). If you live in the northwestern part of the United States, you might know this native deciduous shrub/small tree as "wahoo" or "shittum." Native Americans used the bark to treat numerous ailments especially constipation and upset stomachs. To this day, cacara sagrada -- dubbed "sacred bark" by Spanish and Mexican explorers in the 17th century -- is marketed in various forms as a quick, mild, and effective treatment for constipation.

Remember: Before using any herb, first check with your primary healthcare professional and/or a certified herbalist.

Reference:
Kowalchik, Claire and William H. Hylton, eds. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, Inc., 1998.