Cherokee Indian Herbalism

For Wounds, Sprains & Bruises

Bastard Toadflax(Comandra Umbellataa)---Put the juice onto open cuts and sores.

Leather/Rocktripe Blood(Gyrophora Dillenii)---Stop bleeding from open wounds.

Branch Lettuce/Saxifrage (Sacifraga Pensylvanica)---Root poultice for sore swollen muscles.

Red Buckeye(Aesculus Pavia)---Pounded nuts are used as a poultice for swelling, sprains and infected wounds.

Coneflower/Black-eyed Susan(Rudbeckia Fulgida)---Roots used for snakebites.

Rattlesnake Fern(Botrychium Virginianum--- Boil root down to syrup and used for *surprise!* snakebites.

Feverfew(Chrysanthemum Parthenium)---Bathe swollen feet in a tea.

Wild Geranium(Geranium Maculatum)---Used for open wounds, also an astringent.

Mountain Laurel(Kalmia Latifola)---Ingredient in many liniments.
For Bowel complaints:
Agrimony(Agrimonia Gyposepala)---Drink the tea of burrs to check bowels.

Aloe, false Aloe(Agave Virginica)---Chew root for obstinate problems with diarrhoea.

Alum-root, American Sanicle(Heuchera Americana)---This root is an astringent and the tea is made for bowel complaints or dysentary(usually sweetened with honey to improve the taste).

Cherry/mountain/red/rever/sweet Birch(Betula Lenta)---Chew or drink tea for dysentary.

Butterfly weed/Witch weed(Asclepias Tuberosa)---Seeds or roots are a gentle laxative;Boil seeds in new milk for diarrhoea.

Comfrey(Symphytum Officinale)---Roots in water for gonorrhoea. Note:Comfrey is believed to be carcenogenic in large doses, so it is illegal to take it internally in Australia.

Goosegrass(Galium Aparine)---Tea to move bowels.

New jersey tea/Red root(Cianothus Americanus)---Hot root tea for bowel complaints.

For Female Related Ailments:

Red/smooth/tag Alder(Alus Serrulata) ---For pains related to birth. Is used as an ingredient in tea to ease menstrual pain.

Hairy Beardtongue(Penstemon Laevigatus) ---Tea made for cramps.

Bittersweet(Celastrus Scandens) ---Strong tea combined with red rasberry leaves for pains of childbirth.

Red Buckeye(Aesculus Pavia) ---A tea made from the bark is used for facilitating woman's delivery in childbirth. Not to be used at any other time during pregnancy, as it may precipitated miscarriage.
For Fevers and Colds:

Agrimony(Agrimonia Gyposepala) ---Drink the tea of burrs to bring down fever.

White Alder(Clethra Acuminata) ---Decoction of bark & wild cherry is used to break a high fever.

Angelica(Angelica Atropurpurea) ---Root tonic for fevers and colds.

Cherry/mountain/red/rever/sweet Birch(Betula Lenta) ---A tea is made for colds.

Cinnamon Tree (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum) ---Bark tea for flu.

Herbs common in Australia & their uses
Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria L. )--- Used as an anti-inflamatory and antibiotic due to its high tannin content.The flowering stem tips and dried leaves are used as a tonic and diuretic, and for digestive disorders including diarrhoea. Also used for slow healing wounds and as an ingredient in herbal teas.
Aloe(Aloe Vera (L))---Aloe's value lies in its ability to regenerate damaged tissues. Over for thousands of years aloe has been used externally to heal wounds, bruises and irritations, and internally as a tonic, purgative, laxative and jaundice remedy. It is used as an emollient (skin softening)in hand creams; It is also used for wounds and burns; and the resin of the dried leaves is used internally as a strong laxative. By far the most common use these days is for the treatment of sunburn, to which it gives instant relief.