The Cherokee is a Native American tribe believed that the
Creator has given them a gift of understanding and preserving medicinal herbs.They
also understood the fact that plants can become scarce over time. As such, they
practiced a unique way of gathering, where they picked every third plant they
came across. This ensured that sufficient plants were left to continue to
propagate.
For this article, the purpose is to examine 12 most
significant medicinal plants that were used by this tribe. However, you need be
careful when using these plants, as they are very powerful.
1. Big Stretch (Wild Ginger)
Mild tea from the wild ginger root was used to stimulate
digestion, as well as to treat upset stomach, intestinal gas, and colic.
Likewise, the strong tea from this herb can be effective in eliminating
secretion for the lungs.
The Meskwaki, another Native American tribe, used crushed,
steeped stems of wild ginger to cure earache.
2. Blossom (Buck Brush)
This herb was used to treat throat and mouth complications,
cysts, inflammation, and fibroid tumors. It has also been proved to treat
lymphatic blockages and lower high blood pressure.
The Cherokee normally used it as a diuretic to promote
kidney function, as well in the case of:
- inflamed tonsils
- enlarged spleens
- enlarged lymph nodes
- hemorrhoids
- menstrual bleeding
3. Pull Out a Sticker (Greenbrier)
Loaded with starch, minerals, and vitamins, this plant was
used as mild diuretic to fight urinary infections and to purify blood.
Moreover, its barks and leaves have been used in the making of an ointment that
cures burns and minor sores.
You can add its leaves in tea to treat arthritis, while the
berries can be eaten raw or made into jam.
4. Mint
Mint has strong antioxidant properties. It’s also rich with
Vitamins A and C, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and fiber. This
herb was used to promote digestion, while its leaves were made into ointments,
added to baths to treat skin irritations, or crushed and used as cold
compresses.
5. Blackberry
Blackberries are loaded with Vitamins A, C, B6, E, K,
thiamine, folate, niacin, and riboflavin, as well as zinc, potassium, calcium,
phosphorous, magnesium, and iron. They are beneficial in the case of stomach
upset and chewing the leaves can help relieve bleeding gums.
Other benefits of this plant include:
- strengthened immune system
- cancer prevention
- relief from endothelial dysfunction
- improved digestion
- healthy functioning of the heart
Apart from the mature leaves and the seed heads, all other
parts of cattail have medicinal properties. The roots are rich in starch,
whereas the male plants have abundance of pollen.
You can boil and mash this herb to make a paste, which can
be used to treat sores and burns. Moreover, its pollen is rich with protein and
can serve as a supplement in baking. The flowers are effective in relieving
diarrhea, while the fuzz from flowers can be used to avert skin irritation in
babies, such as diaper rash.
7. Qua lo ga (Sumac)
The bark of this plant can be made as a mild decoction that
relieves diarrhea and sore throat. The ripe berries have abundance of vitamin
C, and you can juice them for consumption. The leaves, on the other hand, can
be used to make a tea that alleviates fever.
The crushed leaves can make a strong ointment that relieves
a poison ivy rash.
8. Jisdu Unigisdi (Wild Rose)
Rich with vitamin C, this plant’s fruit is effective in
treating the flu and common cold. The wild rose hips were used by the Cherokee
to prepare a mild tea to stimulate the kidneys and bladder functions.
Whereas the decoction of its root will cure diarrhea, the
wild rose petal infusion will soothe your sore throat.
9. Mullein
The Cherokee inhaled the smoke from burning mullein leaves
and roots to calm the lungs and open the airways in the case of chest
congestion and asthma. Its flowers can be used to make a tea with mild sedative
effect.
You can also alleviate joint pain and swelling by soaking
your feet in a warm mullein decoction.
It has potent anti-inflammatory effects that relieve the pain as well as the
irritation of the tissues.
10. Kawi Iyusdi (Yellow Dock)
The roots of this herb are rich in iron and serve as a
laxative. Make a juice decoction out of its stems to calm the itching, diaper
rash, and minor sores. Furthermore, the decoction from its crushed roots
contain powerful antiseptic effects, and can be used as warm wash.
11. Squirrel Tail (Yarrow)
With its powerful blood clotting properties, fresh and
crushed leaves of Squirrel Tail can be used to stop bleeding when applied on a
wound.
You can mix its juice with spring water to stop internal
bleeding from intestinal and stomach ailments. Moreover, the leaves can be used
as a tea to enhance digestion and boost stomach function.
Squirrel Tail is also effective in fighting kidney and
gallbladder issues, in addition to treating skin irritation and chapped hands.
Source : naturalmedicinebox
