Abundant Appalachia: traditional healing lies out our back doors: Terry Cochran spells out our region's herbal allies, from A to Z.

Historically, the only medicine for the Native people of this country came mostly from plants. They lived gently with nature rather than conquering it, for it gave them their ability to survive. Many still try to live this way, though modern life has changed some traditional methods.

Fortunately, many of these medicinal herbs still exist in the Appalachian range--the most abundant location for healing herbs in the U.S. Because they're so abundant, I can't cover them all in this article. However, I will list the names and uses for many that are commonly seen growing in North Georgia and Western North Carolina.

Note: If you plan to identify and take wild plants, use extreme caution, as many are poisonous. That's why each tribe had a medicine man or root woman who served as the herbalist (pharmacist)!

Butterfly Weed/Pleurisy Root: This bright-orange flowered herb blooms in June and July. The seeds or root act as a laxative; you can boil seeds in fresh milk for diarrhea. The root is a powerful expectorant for pleurisy and its pain. Be sure not to eat the leaves, though; they act like ipecac!

Culver Root: Most Natives traditionally used the root for typhus and terrible fevers. It's a tonic, antiseptic, and aids liver function when combined with Indian physic and boneset. Also try a tea with the root for a backache.

Christmas Fern: Tribal healers rubbed the juice of this common fern on the skin for rheumatism. The leaves can be brewed and placed in the mouth for toothache, while the root brewed and allowed to cool to make tea for stomachache or bowel problems. The young fiddleheads are food--just saute in a pan!

Ginseng: This important and endangered herb was a tribal mainstay. Roots can be chewed for stamina and energy. Placed in spring water in a jar, the root infuses and makes a potent tonic that seems to help with general overall health and well-being. Ginseng was once used for "convulsions" or those who had palsy, vertigo, flu, headaches and even colic.

Indian Cucumber: The whole plant is used and is often misidentified as loosestrife. Look at the flowers--are they yellow or purple? That's loosestrife. If not yellow or purple, pull out your field guide, count the leaves and note the whorl pattern to be sure it's Indian cucumber. This herb is safe, and Iroquois medicine recommends it for convulsions in children. Crush the berries and leaves for this. The root can also be chewed and spit on a hook to make fish bite.

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Lobelia: Use caution with this herb, as it must be dosed correctly. Also called Indian tobacco, this blue-flowered plant was smoked for croup and asthma. Its main use is for bites and stings; especially poisonous spider bites. Chew the leaf and put on a bite to draw it. You'll feel the mouth itch or go numb and may feel a bit tipsy. When that happens, be sure to stop. If taking a tea of it for a poisonous bite, take tiny sips slowly. This herb will cause vomiting if you take too much. Then, drink a lot of water and seek medical help. This great survival plant lowers blood pressure and other bodily functions to slow the poison and help you gain precious time.

Maidenhair Fern: Use the tea of the whole plant for flu and fever in small amounts. Use caution with this herb: more is not better. A poultice of leaves can help with rheumatism and chills. Dried and powdered leaves can be taken for heart trouble, and the whole plant can be steeped and the steam fanned over a feverish person.

Solomon Seal: The root is mildly tonic and was originally crushed and made into tea for breast lumps and lung disorders. This great herb helps stop heavy menstrual cycles, and a tea of the roasted roots is good for the stomach. Otherwise, dry it, pound it and use it in your bread mix. Ground roots can serve as a salt substitute, and the leaves can be eaten as cooked greens.

Wild Ginger: Natives put the leaves on wounds as a poultice. The root is food and a powerful stimulant, so be careful. It can also be pulverized and used as a poultice for swollen breasts (mastitis).

Yellow Root: Though it tastes and smells similarly, yellow root is not the same as goldenseal. This abundant mountain creekside plant with distinctive bright yellow root shows promise in helping some cancers. Research has only just begun, but traditional use indicates that cancer was one ailment for which it was used. The root, leaves and stem of the plant can be used. The root is incredibly bitter, but a tea of it clears poisons from the body extremely well. It's a great bitter herb for nausea and can increase appetite. Yellow root is also used as a dye for blankets and baskets.

HEALING RECIPES

Try these traditional recipes. You'll be amazed at their function and often their flavor.

Decongestant: In a three to one ratio, mix elder flowers and yarrow flowers in an infusion. Steep fifteen minutes and inhale the brew as you sip.

Wellness tonic Blend one part each of strawberry leaves, blackberry leaves and woodruff. Add three parts rod raspberry leaves. Make a tea by infusion. It's loaded with vitamins A, C and potassium.

Urinary tract infections: Take a tea of cornsilk and/or bearberry leaves and eat cranberries.

Appalachian Herb Guide

Butterfly Weed

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Chicory

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Culver Root

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Indian Cucumber

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Jewel Weed

Maidenhair Fern

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Mountain Mint

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Plantain 

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Solomon Seal

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Yarrow

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Terry Cochran is a certified Herbalist of the Dominion Herbal College, Vancouver, Canada. A North Carolina native and student of the Cherokee way, she specializes in medicinal plants of the Appalachian Mountains. She owns Raven's Nest Herbals, LLC, based in Duluth, GA (678-642-6691) and is a member of the American Botanical Council, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and charter member of the National Museum of the American Indian.