31 Long-Forgotten Native American Medicinal Cures

by STEVE NUBIE

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 thats common
knowledge compared to the insights and treatments that Native American medicine
men discovered and used.
Native American medicine men developed a wheel 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 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. Its also interesting that many of these
natural cures are still in use today, including beeswax and bee pollen, chamomile and
others. Its a good demonstration of the benefit of wisdom developed over centuries.
Its hard to know how Native Americans determined which plants might have
medicinal properties, although trial and error was probably one approach. Its 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 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.
Ive 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.
Ive 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, Ive 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.
Heres 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 youre 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 youre 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. Its 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 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 flower: 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.