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 you’re 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 you’re 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. It’s 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.
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