Medicinal Plants Native to America & the Texas Plains

Nearly all prescription medications in America today rely on a plant derivative or inspiration. One heart medicine comes from foxglove. Certain cancer treatments include mayapple and barberry. Plants native to America and the Texas Plains can confer great health benefits. The plains are semi-arid and temperate, so a variety of plants grow there. The medical benefits of plants are not supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, however, so do not undertake an herbal regimen without consulting a physician. Texas Parks and Wildlife offers a great amount of information about regional plants, but from the perspective of naturalists, not doctors.

Kinds of Plants

• Plants that grow in the Texas Plains and other portions of the country share long roots, wide leaves and a moderately long flowering season, depending on the geographic region. These plants extend their roots deep into the soil for maximum water absorption and grow broad leaves to provide self-shade. Generally, plants in northern Texas can grow in the central and southern Midwest and southeastern states, except for southern Florida. Some remedies you can find in the Plains include snakeroot extract as a gargle for a sore throat or other persistent mucus problems, horsebalm as a laxative or hemorrhoid fix, mustard as a diuretic or yarrow for oozing wounds.

Trees and Shrubs

• The trees and shrubs of the Texas Plains are low to the ground and are often wide. When harvesting medicinal bark, focus on bark that is at eye level or above, or comes from secondary branches when possible. Taking bark from lower on the tree may impede the tree's growth. If you require roots, you may need to dig. The roots may run deep in the semi-arid climate. Leaves should be picked at their grow point from the branch. Some northern Texas trees and shrubs with medicinal properties include greenbriar, which is used to relax stomach cramps and post-labor contractions; Eastern Red cedar for coughs, colds and rheumatism; and American beautyberry for stomach aches and fevers.

Flowers

• Flowers have a fairly long bloom in the Plains. Many flowers appear from April to June and stay until late October. Select flowers for medicinal use at any time of year, although the most potent may be at the peak of the season in mid-June. Most flower remedies are either poultices or spreads made from mashed-up flowers or extractions done with alcohol. Flowers native to the Texas Plains also grow in other parts of the country, in some instances including Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas or Arkansas. Butterfly milkweed is a lactogogue, or milk producer, in breastfeeding women. Cardinal flower is used for menstrual irregularity. Pickeral weed may support birth control. Wild onion is excellent and safe for all inflammatory conditions.

Herbs

• Herbs are the mainstay of alternative plant medicine. Since they tend to be smaller, they thrive in a variety of conditions. Ground or extracted, many of them that are native to the Plains are beneficial to your health. Texas velvetleaf fixes stomach aches. Epazote leaves relieve toothaches. Mullein treats spider bites. Horse nettle relieves poison ivy rashes.