Native Americans Natural Remedies

We want to share a list of plants that are common in North America, used by Native Americans in their medicine.
Some of these plants that are still used today as natural remedies, such as chamomile. It would be interesting to know how the Indians came to the knowledge that the plant has healing properties.

Native Americans knew a long time ago about the benefits of White Sage.

White Sage has been a traditional choice for burning and smudging for the Native Americans because of all of the herbs, it is one of the best for cleansing. 

Medicine People used this herb on people who were ill, to bring them back from the negative place where their body and soul laid. 

Today, sage is often used in smudging ceremonies everywhere for those who are seeking balance and pure thought, spirit and body. 

Here's the list:

Here's a list of plants that are common in North America, used by Native Americans in their medicine.
Some of these plants that are still used today as natural remedies, such as chamomile. 

It would be interesting to know how the Indians came to the knowledge that the plant has healing properties.

1. Alfalfa: It facilitates digestion and helps with blood clotting. Some are used to temporarily treat arthritis, bladder and kidney, but also bones. Strengthens the immune system.
2. Aloe: A cactus from plant whose thick leaves can squeeze the juice that can then be used for the treatment of burns, bites of insects and wounds.
3. Aspen: Tea is made from bark or xylem and is used to treat fever, cough and pain. It contains salicin, which is also found in the scabbard and which is the basic ingredient of aspirin.
4. Bee pollen: In combination with food, it increases energy, helps with digestion and strengthens the immune system. If you are allergic to honey bees, you are probably allergic to bee pollen.
5. Beeswax: It is used as a balm for the treatment of burns and bites of insects. It is used exclusively for external use.
6. Blackberry: Milled root, bark and leaves are used to make tea which is excellent for the treatment of diarrhea, reduce inflammation and stimulate metabolism. It can be heated for treating pain in the throat, ulcers in the mouth 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 treat 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 of this plant are used in the form of tea for treating problems with the intestines 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 you’re considering this for any use.
12. Echinacea: This plant is used to strengthen the immune system and treat infections and fevers. It is also used as an antiseptic for the treatment of cough, colds and flu.
13. Eucalyptus: The oil from the leaves and root of this plant is used to make tea for the treatment of cough, sore throat, flu and fever.
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: The root of this plant is milled and fed with food, and can be stored in the form of tea, balsam or coating. It helps in digestion, it works anti-inflammatory, increases circulation and relieves colds, cough, flu and bronchitis.
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 Although today considered for the plant that causes allergies and sneezing, Indians have considered it for medicinal plant. In the form of tea, it is used to treat bronchitis and lung problems, but also flu, inflammation and sore throat. It is also used as an antiseptic for cuts and injuries.
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: This bush is a natural insect repellent, and can be used to treat digestive problems, but also for the treatment of colds and sore throats.
29. Spearmint: It is used for the treatment of cough, colds, respiratory problems, but also for the treatment of diarrhea and the strengthening of circulation in the blood.
30. Valerian: The root of this plant in the form of tea alleviates pain in the muscles and pain in general, and has 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.

Source: https://livingwellmindness.com/31-long-forgotten-native-american-medical-cures/