Native American Medical Remedies

According to the American Cancer Society, American Indian medicine incorporates the practices and beliefs of hundreds of North American tribes that have been used in North America for 40,000 years. They use a combination of herbal medicine, religion, spirituality and rituals to treat medical conditions. Although there is no evidence that American Indian medical remedies can cure any diseases, there might be some benefits. Some of these herbs are popular modern natural remedies.

Purification

• American Indians usually use a purification and cleansing technique to make the patient more receptive to the techniques used for healing. Methods include tea that causes vomiting, smudging, which is the act of using the smoke from plants to cleanse, and sweat lodges. Sweat lodges are dark, enclosed area, with fire-heated stones. All of these methods might also cause an altered condition of awareness. Other techniques include singing, dancing, chanting, painting bodies and in some cases, hallucinogenic substances.

Respiratory Conditions

• Skunk cabbage is used to loosen phlegm for the treatment of asthma. Pleurisy root and wormwood are used for symptoms of bronchitis. Pleurisy root is also a remedy for pneumonia and other lung problems. Coughs can be treated with boneset, aspen tea, white pine tea, wild cherry tea, sarsaparilla, rabbit tobacco and bloodroot. Sage is used to treat symptoms of colds and the flu.

Digestive Conditions

• Remedies for diarrhea include black cherry root, dogwood bark tea, black raspberry root and fermented black cherry fruit juice. Dandelion roots are used for heartburn and urinary tract conditions. Yellow root and sage are treatments for stomach aches and upset stomachs. Urinary tract infections and diarrhea are treated with juniper.

Other Remedies

• Just a few other examples of American Indian remedies include oak for menstrual conditions, kidney disorders, sprains and sores; wild yam root for childbirth, menstrual cramps, poor libido and hormonal imbalance; sage for cuts, bruises, irregular periods, tuberculosis, colds and childbirth; purple coneflower (also known as echinachea) for insect bites, snakebites, stings, bowel problems, gonorrhea, toothaches, burns and sore throat; horsemint tea for back pain; and arnica as a rub for back pain and a treatment for bruising.

Warnings

• The American Cancer Society cautions that these remedies have not been tested for interactions with other medications, supplements and food. Herbal remedies are not regulated or endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration. Before attempting treatment with any of these substances, consult your doctor.