NATIVE AMERICAN HEALING

Native American Herbs

Our friends the Native American people held a knowledge of plants used for medicine that has held true to this day. The Native Americans used more than 500 healing herbs thought to be healing secrets that are used in many modern day drugs. Native American healers regarded plants as relatives with the same energy, elements, minerals, and living compounds that are found in the natural world. Researchers in laboratories estimate that 25 percent of the drugs in use have actual ingredients either derived from or chemically similar to those in plants. Some of the drugs that have their roots in nature are the cancer drug tamoxifen, the heart drug digitalis, and painkillers morphine and aspirin. The powers of observation and the passing on of this knowledge to future generations is a great discovery. One of the most popular herbs is the Aloe Vera plant first used in Florida and southwestern United States. The Aloe is used for skin conditions, the healing of burns and wounds. Other uses are as a treatment for insect bites, fungal infections, frost bite, eczema, dry skin, and poison Ivy. Researches have shown that Aloe helps skin cells to regenerate, also effective for treating gum disease, acne, colitis, and ulcers. Many people use it as a liniment to help the inflammation of arthritis, or take it internally to ease constipation. The Aloe plant resembles a cactus and prefers a warm climate.

The peace pipe was often smoked with more than tobacco present. A pinch of Bearberry was added for a mild sedative effect during tribal council meetings. Bearberry was also used as a potent diuretic and antiseptic, to treat kidney stones as well as urinary tract infections. Teas made from bearberry are used to treat enlargement of the prostate gland. Women used the herb during heavy menstrual periods or vaginal infections. Some forms of diabetes are treated with this herb because it increases the body's output of insulin. Bearberry can also be used as a douche, mouthwash, and antiseptic. The herb Black Cohosh is so effective in relieving women's menopausal problems that some doctors find it as an acceptable alternative to conventional hormone replacement therapy. Black Cohosh has been shown to reduce hot flashes, sweating, headaches, vertigo, heart palpitations, and tinnitus. The Native Americans used it in difficult childbirth to relax the muscles of the uterine walls. Other uses for this herb were to relieve arthritis pain, scarlet fever, smallpox, and whooping cough. One of the best features of Black Cohosh is to repel insects. A plant called Black Haw was uses to relieve menstrual cramps and has been proven to work as a uterine antispasmodic or relaxant. Dr. John Brickwell, an 18-century medical authority used the plant to heal wounds. Dr. James A Duke, PH.D found that the plant contains four substances that help to relax the uterus. Native Americans chewed the plant and used the leaves as a paste to reduce the swelling of sprains. Black Haw grows as a bushy shrub 10 to 25 feet tall. The plant produces dark blue berries that are very sweet to eat. One of the greatest contributions Native Americans made to the modern world was the introduction of corn. Corn has also been used for its healing powers. Native Americans would drink a beverage made from corn to treat problems with the Kidneys and Bladder. A corn beverage was also used to treat dysentery and indigestion and to increase milk production in nursing mothers. Corn was used to make poultices for skin ulcers, burns, swelling and corn oil to ease eczema and dry skin. Corn cobs were burned to help relieve itching caused by insect bites and poison ivy. The silk of corn has diuretic properties also used to treat high blood pressure. Cornstarch that is used as a powder today helps to relieve eczema.

The Native Americans had so many uses for the plant Dandelion that it is hard to list them all. Dandelion was used for infections. Dandelion is very rich in calcium helping to prevent osteoporosis. Boron and silicon are trace minerals found in this important plant that may also be helpful in preventing bone diseases. Studies have shown dandelion contains lecithin and choline which might prevent Alzheimer's disease. Dandelion roots can be used as a topical antiseptic for wounds, sores, and inflammation of the mouth. A tea brewed from the leaves can be used as a mild laxative and digestive aid. In today's world the tea would be used as a tea can help to relieve pneumonia, bronchitis, and act as a diuretic to reduce swelling caused by sprains internal cleanse to the kidneys, bladder, liver, and spleen. The dandelion plant can be eaten raw, juiced, or boiled supplying the body with iron, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamins A, B, C, and D. The dandelion flower is eatable for the lecithin to help treat problems of the liver. The milky sap is often used to remove corns and warts. The Pennsylvania Dutch used the dandelion leaves for salad greens with cider vinegar and sugar as a dressing. Native Americans knew to use Echinacea to kill a cold virus or upper respiratory infection. The founder of Platonic Academy of Herbal Studies Paul Lee, lists Echinacea as a leading immune-stimulant. This means that Echinacea can strengthen the immune system so the body can resist sickness and disease. This herb supports the body when a person has laryngitis, tonsillitis, and inflammation of the nose and sinuses. As a mouthwash Echinacea is helpful in treating diseases of the gums. Fennel is an herb that was used for bad breath and relieving intestinal gas. It can also be of use to calm coughs or indigestion. It has also been used as a compress to relieve conjunctivitis of the eyelid, or as a poultice to treat muscle pain. Fennel tea is used to increase breast milk in nursing mothers. The seeds are used to season fish, soups, stews, salads, and breads. The fennel bulb can be used as a vegetable. Native Americans used Garlic to treat snakebites and wounds. The medical community discovered that garlic could cure scurvy. Garlic is rich in vitamin C, when crushed it releases a substance called (allicin), which has antiviral and antibacterial properties. It has been shown to help combat infections caused by fungi and yeast. The Native Americans also used it to fight intestinal parasites.

Life for the Native Americans was not easy, the people learned to observe their world closely and discover how to put it to use. Native American healers guided people to use the body's inborn ability to heal itself. Good health is a never ending cycle of discovery, faith, and gratitude. The power for achieving good health was through the strength of Mother Nature. Each tribe had healers that had their own methods of preparing herbs, as some were smoked through special ceremonial pipes, or burned so that the fumes could be inhaled. Mixtures with alcohol as tinctures, or combined with...