Native American and Other Ancient Remedies

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Cherokee herbal Remedies

S

Sciatica:

Scarlet Fever:

Scurvy:

Sedative/Tranquilizer:

  • Ashwagandha – The whole plant is used in numerous remedies. Caution is advised in the use of this plant since it is toxic.
  • Bloodroot – Primarily used as a medicine for respiratory and digestive problems, it also used externally. Today, we know it is toxic and the FDA has classified it as unsafe.
  • Hops
  • Horehound – Whole plant used internally and externally. People with gastritis or peptic ulcer disorders should use it cautiously.
  • Kava – Used there for thousands of years as a folk remedy and as a social and ceremonial beverage.
  • Mint – Dried leaves used in teas and food, found helpful in several remedies.
  • Rabbit Tobacco – Was thought to have had spiritual or mystic powers by many Indians.
  • Skullcap – A powerful medicinal herb, it was cultivated Native Americans for use in several remedies. Pregnant women should not take Skullcap.
  • Stoneseed – Seeds used for several medical ailments.
  • Valerian Root – Has been used as a medicinal herb since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome.
  • Wild Black Cherry – The dried inner bark was traditionally used in tea or syrups for several health problems.
  • Wild Lettuce – Indigenous to North American, it was used for sedative purposes, especially in nervous complaints.
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Sexual Health:

  • Bee Pollen – One of the oldest health foods used by man, it is mixed with food or drinks, or as a pill supplement today.
  • Maca – Used for centuries, Maca is consumed as food and used for medicinal purposes.
  • Saw Palmetto – Long prized as a food product, it was also used by Native Americans to make baskets and fans, as well as in medicinal remedies.
  • Schisandra – A genus of shrub that has many medicinal uses.
  • Wild Carrot – Used as both food and for health conditions.

Shingles:

  • Dong Quai – Used for over a thousand years to treat several conditions.

Sinus Problems:

  • American Ginseng – Used in teas and tonics, and sometimes smoked by Native Americans.
  • Dong Quai – Used for over a thousand years to treat several conditions.
  • Elder – Ripe elderberries used as both food and in medicinal remedies.
  • Eucalyptus – Teas and ointments used for various purposes.
  • Fendler’s Bladderpod – Used crushed leaves for internal and external use.
  • Goldenseal – Used internally and externally for medicinal issues. It should not be taken by pregnant women.
  • Osha – Having a wide variety of medicinal properties, Osha was highly valued by Native Americans.
  • Rabbit Tobacco – Was thought to have had spiritual or mystic powers by many Indians.

Skin Disorders, Conditions, and Health:

  • Boswellia – Fragrant resin utilized in various ailments. It should not be used by pregnant, breastfeeding women and children.
  • Buckwheat – The fruit seed was used as both food and in herbal remedies.
  • Burdock – Roots and leaves utilized internally and externally. Avoid if pregnant or nursing.
  • Dandelion – Used in both foods and internal and external medicinal remedies.
  • Devil’s Claw – Used in teas and tonics internally and in poultices externally. It should not be used by woman who are or may be pregnant.
  • Dogwood – Bark, berries, and twigs used in decoctions internally and externally.
  • Elder – Ripe elderberries used as both food and in medicinal remedies.
  • Eucalyptus – Teas and ointments used for various purposes.
  • Feverfew – Used for various internal medical problems. It should not be used by women who are pregnant.
  • Geranium – Scented geranium used in teas for various conditions.
  • Goldenseal – Used internally and externally for medicinal issues. It should not be taken by pregnant women.
  • Hibiscus – Various species used in  traditional herbal medicines dating back to Roman times.
  • Honeysuckle – Used in traditional herbal remedies for thousands of years.
  • Horehound – Whole plant used internally and externally. People with gastritis or peptic ulcer disorders should use it cautiously.
  • Lecithin – Found in several plants, it benefits various body systems.
  • Marshmallow Root – Dating back thousands of years, this root has been used as food and medicine.
  • Mayapple – Having been long surrounded by folklore, this plant was used for various medical purposes. Because of its toxicity, this herb should only be used by professional Herbalists.
  • Mint – Dried leaves used in teas and food, found helpful in several remedies.
  • Peppermint – in addition to flavoring, long used in traditional medicine for its calming and numbing effects. It should not be used or given to infants or small children.
  • Pinon – Used so extensively by Native Americans it was referred to by some tribes as the “tree of life.”
  • Poke – Though parts of this plant are highly toxic to livestock and humans, it has long been used as food and medicine by Native Americans.
  • Rabbit Tobacco – Was thought to have had spiritual or mystic powers by many Indians.
  • Red Clover – Traditionally used for several conditions.
  • Rooibos – Used in teas to help with various conditions.
  • Saltbush – Many species used for various conditions.
  • Sarsaparilla – Used for centuries in a wide variety of medicinal remedies.
  • Schisandra – A genus of shrub that has many medicinal uses.
  • Senna – A large genus of flowering plants found to be helpful in many remedies.
  • Slippery Elm – The tree had many traditional uses by Native Americans.
  • Sumac – Viewed by some tribes as a sacred plant, Sumac was used for food and medicine.
  • Sweetflag – Has a long history of medicinal use in many herbal traditions.
  • Tribulus –  This herb has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
  • Tobacco – Long been important in Native American culture for social, religious, ceremonial purposes as well as in medicinal remedies.
  • Wheat Grass – The result of centuries of the cultivation, it is used for numerous medical conditions.
  • Witch Hazel – Widely used for medicinal purposes by American Indians.
  • Yarrow – Used for thousands of years, especially to stop bleeding.
  • Yellow Dock – Native Americans as a traditional medicine and food.
  • Yellow Root – Though toxic in large doses, Native Americans made a tea of it to treat several medical problems.
  • Yellow Spined Thistle – Long been used by Native Americans in medicinal remedies.

Smallpox:

Snake Bites:

  • Broom Snakeweed – Roots and leaves used in steam therapies, teas, and poultices.
  • Fendler’s Bladderpod – Used crushed leaves for internal and external use.
  • Gymnema Sylvestre – Has been used as natural treatment for diabetes for nearly 2,000 years.
  • Mayapple – Having been long surrounded by folklore, this plant was used for various medical purposes. Because of its toxicity, this herb should only be used by professional Herbalists.
  • Osha – Having a wide variety of medicinal properties, Osha was highly valued by Native Americans.
  • Tobacco – Long been important in Native American culture for social, religious, ceremonial purposes as well as in medicinal remedies.

Sores:

  • American Licorice – Chewed or used in teas for internal issues, in a poultice externally.
  • Ashwagandha – The whole plant is used in numerous remedies. Caution is advised in the use of this plant since it is toxic.
  • Black Raspberry – Roots and leaves are boiled into tea or chewed, and washes used externally.
  • Broom Snakeweed – Roots and leaves used in steam therapies, teas, and poultices.
  • Buck Brush – Applies to several North American shrubs used in herbal medicine.
  • Burdock – Roots and leaves utilized internally and externally. Avoid if pregnant or nursing.
  • Cardinal Flower – Roots, leaf tea and poultices were used internally and externally.
  • Chokecherry – Used as a source of food and medicine, it was considered one of the most important herbs in Native American medicine.
  • Devil’s Claw – Used in teas and tonics internally and in poultices externally. It should not be used by woman who are or may be pregnant.
  • Echinacea – Roots were chewed, dried in tea, or pulverized for external use.
  • Greenbriar – Teas and salves used internally and externally.
  • Honeysuckle – Used in traditional herbal remedies for thousands of years.
  • Horehound – Whole plant used internally and externally. People with gastritis or peptic ulcer disorders should use it cautiously.
  • Horsemint – Leaves and flowering stems used in teas, tonics, and salves for various medical issues. Pregnant women should not use it.
  • Native Hemlock – Used by Native Americans as a dye, for tanning hides, making baskets and wooden items, as well as medicinal remedies.
  • Oak – Acorns and bark used for various medical ailments.
  • Pinon – Used so extensively by Native Americans it was referred to by some tribes as the “tree of life.”
  • Plantain – Considered to be one of the nine sacred herbs by the ancient Saxon people and has a long history of use as an alternative medicine dating back to ancient times.
  • Saltbush – Many species used for various conditions.
  • Sumac – Viewed by some tribes as a sacred plant, Sumac was used for food and medicine.
  • Western Skunk Cabbage – This plant with a “skunky” has long been used by Native Americans as a topical medicine.
  • White Pine –  The inner bark, young shoots, twigs, pitch, and leaves have long been used by Native Americans in medical remedies.
  • Witch Hazel – Widely used for medicinal purposes by American Indians.
  • Yellow Dock – Native Americans as a traditional medicine and food.
  • Yellow Root – Though toxic in large doses, Native Americans made a tea of it to treat several medical problems.
  • Yellow Spined Thistle – Long been used by Native Americans in medicinal remedies.

Sore Eyes – See Eye Problems

Sore Throat and Throat Ulcers: – See Throat Conditions

Spider Bites:

  • Fendler’s Bladderpod – Used crushed leaves for internal and external use.
  • Osha – Having a wide variety of medicinal properties, Osha was highly valued by Native Americans.
  • Saltbush – Many species used for various conditions.
  • Slippery Elm – The tree had many traditional uses by Native Americans.

Spleen Issues and Enlargement:

  • Buck Brush – Applies to several North American shrubs used in herbal medicine.
  • Senna – A large genus of flowering plants found to be helpful in many remedies.
  • Uva Ursi – Used medicinally since the second century. Pregnant women should not use it.

Splinters:

  • White Pine –  The inner bark, young shoots, twigs, pitch, and leaves have long been used by Native Americans in medical remedies.

Sprains:

  • Arnica – Used externally only for aches, pains, and wounds. Poison if taken internally.
  • Cattail – Utilized as food, as well as in external and internal medical remedies.
  • Oak – Acorns and bark used for various medical ailments.
  • Poke – Though parts of this plant are highly toxic to livestock and humans, it has long been used as food and medicine by Native Americans.
  • St John’s Wort – Most commonly known as an anti-depressant, it also has other medical uses.
Wind Dancer Tea

Wind Dancer Tea – For Energy and Stamina. From Nuwati Herbals, available at Legends’ General Store

Stamina:

  • Maca – Used for centuries, Maca is consumed as food and used for medicinal purposes.
  • Oat Straw – food source and medical remedy since prehistoric times.

Stimulant:

  • Green Tea – Made solely with the leaves of Camellia Sinensis, it is known for its many helpful properties.
  • Horsemint – Leaves and flowering stems used in teas, tonics, and salves for various medical issues. Pregnant women should not use it.
  • Wild Ginger – Native Americans used the roots as a seasoning and medicinal herb.
  • Yerba Mate – A species of Holly that has a long history as a medicinal herb.

Stomach Problems:

  • Allspice – Dried unripe berries have long been used teas.
  • American Licorice – Chewed or used in teas for internal issues, in a poultice externally.
  • Blackberry – Root is used in teas, and leaves are used as a gargle.
  • Black Cherry
  • Black Raspberry – Roots and leaves are boiled into tea or chewed, and washes used externally.
  • Boswellia – Fragrant resin utilized in various ailments. It should not be used by pregnant, breastfeeding women and children.
  • Dandelion – Used in both foods and internal and external medicinal remedies.
  • Devil’s Claw – Used in teas and tonics internally and in poultices externally. It should not be used by woman who are or may be pregnant.
  • Fennel – Seeds, leaves, and roots used in cooking and medicinal remedies.
  • Fenugreek – Used internally and externally for various medicinal purposes.
  • Feverfew – Used for various internal medical problems. It should not be used by women who are pregnant.
  • Ginger Root – Utilized as both a spice and medicine throughout the world.
  • Grapefruit – Seeds, pulp, and inner rind used for internal conditions.
  • Greenbriar – Teas and salves used internally and externally.
  • Hibiscus – Various species used in  traditional herbal medicines dating back to Roman times.
  • Milkweed – Though it can be toxic if not prepared properly, Milkweed was used as food and medicine, as well as in making cords, ropes, and coarse cloth. Warning: Milkweed may be toxic when taken internally, without sufficient preparation
  • Pennyroyal – Long used to treat medical problems and to eradicate pests. Pennyroyal should not be used in any way by pregnant women. Over ingestion of this herb has caused death.
  • Peppermint – in addition to flavoring, long used in traditional medicine for its calming and numbing effects. It should not be used or given to infants or small children.
  • Rabbit Tobacco – Was thought to have had spiritual or mystic powers by many Indians.
  • Sage – Used for thousands of years in cooking and like other culinary herbs, it has long been thought to be a digestive aid aid and appetite stimulant.
  • Saltbush – Many species used for various conditions.
  • Slippery Elm – The tree had many traditional uses by Native Americans.
  • Sumac – Viewed by some tribes as a sacred plant, Sumac was used for food and medicine.
  • Wild Yam Root
  • Willow – The leaves and bark of the willow tree have been used since times of ancient Egypt and Greece.
  • Yarrow – Used for thousands of years, especially to stop bleeding.
  • Yellow Dock – Native Americans as a traditional medicine and food.
  • Yellow Root – Though toxic in large doses, Native Americans made a tea of it to treat several medical problems.
Nuwati Walk in Balance Tea

Nuwati Herbals Walk In Balance Tea – Calms Nerves and upset stomach. Available at Legends General Store.

Stomach Ulcers:

  • Licorice Root – Used as flavoring in food and for herbal remedies.
  • Poke – Though parts of this plant are highly toxic to livestock and humans, it has long been used as food and medicine by Native Americans.
  • Rooibos – Used in teas to help with various conditions.
  • Yellow Root – Though toxic in large doses, Native Americans made a tea of it to treat several medical problems.

Strength:

  • Evening Primrose – Used for both food and in medicinal remedies, decoctions were used for internal and external ailments.
  • Maca – Used for centuries, Maca is consumed as food and used for medicinal purposes.
  • Rhodiola – Best known in improving physical and mental performance.
  • Schisandra – A genus of shrub that has many medicinal uses.

Stress/Tension:

  • Ginsing – Numerous specifies throughout the world have been used for thousands of years in medicinal remedies.
  • Hops – Though most commonly known for its use in beer, it also has medicinal properties.
  • Jiaogulan – Known for its many health-giving qualities and anti-aging effects.
  • Lavender – Dating back to Roman times, Lavender has been used in teas, balms, food, and medicinal remedies.
  • Lemon Balm – A calming herb that has been used since the Middle Ages.
  • Rhodiola – Best known in improving physical and mental performance.
  • Skullcap – A powerful medicinal herb, it was cultivated Native Americans for use in several remedies. Pregnant women should not take Skullcap.
  • Valerian Root – Has been used as a medicinal herb since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome.
  • Wild Rose – There are hundreds of species that have been used medicinally for thousands of years.
  • Wild Lettuce – Indigenous to North American, it was used for sedative purposes, especially in nervous complaints.
  • Yerba Mate – A species of Holly that has a long history as a medicinal herb.

Stroke:

  • Persimmon – Long used as food and in traditional medicine.

Sunburn (To Prevent):

  • Native Hemlock – Used by Native Americans as a dye, for tanning hides, making baskets and wooden items, as well as medicinal remedies.

Sunburn (To Treat):

  • Plantain – Considered to be one of the nine sacred herbs by the ancient Saxon people and has a long history of use as an alternative medicine dating back to ancient times.
  • Witch Hazel – Widely used for medicinal purposes by American Indians.

Sweating (To Promote): See Diaphoretic

Sweating (Excessive):

Swelling:  See Inflammation

Syphilis:

  • Boswellia – Fragrant resin utilized in various ailments. It should not be used by pregnant, breastfeeding women and children.
  • Cardinal Flower – Roots, leaf tea and poultices were used internally and externally.
  • Geranium – Scented geranium used in teas for various conditions.
  • Pinon – Used so extensively by Native Americans it was referred to by some tribes as the “tree of life.”
  • Poke – Though parts of this plant are highly toxic to livestock and humans, it has long been used as food and medicine by Native Americans.
  • Sarsaparilla – Used for centuries in a wide variety of medicinal remedies.
  • Yellow Spined Thistle – Long been used by Native Americans in medicinal remedies.

Disclaimer:  These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and we make no medical claims, nor intend to diagnose, treat, or heal medical conditions. Women who are pregnant or nursing, or persons with known medical conditions should consult their physician before taking any herbal products.

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