Cherokee ethnobotany

Updated on Dec 17, 2024

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This is a list of plants documented to have been traditionally used by the Cherokee, and how they are used.

Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis family)

Allium tricoccum (commonly known as ramp, ramps, spring onion, ramson, wild leek, wood leek, and wild garlic) - Eaten as food. The Cherokee also eat the plant as a spring tonic, for colds and for croup. They also use the warm juice for earaches.

Asteraceae (Aster, daisy, sunflower, or composite family)

Cichorium intybus (common names are chicory or common chicory' - An infusion of the root is used as a tonic for nerves. This plant is not native to the Americas and was introduced by colonists.

Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium ssp. obtusifolium (common names include old field balsam, rabbit tobacco and sweet everlasting), used in a compound for muscle cramps, local pains, and twitching, and apply an infusion of it over scratches made over muscle cramp pain. It is also used internally with Carolina Vetch for rheumatism. A decoction is taken for colds, and the plant is also made into cough syrup. It is used in a sweat bath to treat various diseases, made into a warm liquid blown down throat for clogged throat (diphtheria), chewed for a sore mouth, smoked for asthma, and chewed for a sore throat.

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (common names New England Aster or Michaelmas Daisy), poultice of roots used for pain, infusion of the roots for diarrhea, and the ooze of the roots is sniffed for catarrh. An infusion of the plant for fever.

Tanacetum vulgare (common name Tansy), an infusion of the plant is used for backache, the plant is used as a tonic, and worn it around the waist and in shoes to prevent miscarriages. This plant is not native to the Americas and was introduced by colonists.

Berberidaceae

Jeffersonia diphylla (common names include twinleaf or rheumatism root), used in an infusion for treating dropsy, as well as gravel and urinary tract problems. Also used as a poultice for sores and inflammation.

Campanulaceae (Bellflower family)

Triodanis perfoliata (common name clasping Venus's looking glass), root used in liquid compound for dyspepsia from overeating, and infusion of roots taken and use it as a bath for dyspepsia.

Ericaceae (Heath or heather family)

Epigaea repens (common names are mayflower or trailing arbutus) decoction of the plant used to induce vomiting to treat abdominal pain, and they give an infusion of the plant to children for diarrhea. An infusion is also used for the kidneys and for "chest ailment". They also take a compound infusion for indigestion.

Kalmia latifolia (common names include mountain-laurel, calico-bush, or spoonwood,), used as an analgesic by placing an infusion of leaves put on scratches made over location of the pain. The bristly edges of ten to twelve leaves" are rubbed over the skin for rheumatism, leaves are also crushed to rub brier scratches. The plant is used an infusion as a wash "to get rid of pests", used in a compound as a liniment, leaf ooze is rubbed into scratched skin of ball players to prevent cramps, and a leaf salve is used for healing. The wood is also used for carving.

Fabaceae (Legume, bean, or pea family)

Baptisia australis (common names include blue wild indigo, blue false indigo, indigo weed, rattleweed, rattlebush, and horsefly weed), the roots of which are used in an herbal tea as a purgative or to treat tooth aches and nausea,

Vicia caroliniana (common name Carolina vetch, or Carolina wood vetch), used for back pains, local pains, to toughen muscles, for muscular cramps, twitching and is rubbed on stomach cramps. They also use a compound for rheumatism, for an affliction called "blacks", and it is taken for wind before a ball game. An infusion is used for muscle pain, in that it is rubbed on scratches made over the location of the pain. An infusion is also taken as a emetic. It is also used internally with Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium ssp. obtusifolium for rheumatism.

Hydrangeaceae

Hydrangea cinerea (common names include ashy or gray hydrangea) An infusion of the bark scrapings is taken for vomiting bile, and an infusion of the roots is taken as a cathartic and emetic by women during menses.

Iridaceae

Iris virginica (common name Virginia Iris) The root is pounded into a paste that is used as a salve for skin. An infusion made from the root is used to treat ailments of the liver, and a decoction of root is used to treat "yellowish urine".

Lamiaceae (Mint or deadnettle family)

Blephilia ciliata (common names include downy pagoda plant, sunny woodmint and Ohio horsemint.), used make a poultice to treat headaches.

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup or crowfoot family)

Hydrastis canadensis (common names include goldenseal, orangeroot and yellow puccoon, used as a cancer treatment.

Ranunculus acris (common names include meadow buttercup, tall buttercup and giant buttercup. used as a poultice for abscesses, as an oral infusion for "thrush", and the juice is used as a sedative. They also cook the leaves and eat them as greens. (Note: This plant was introduced from Eurasia, and is not native to North America.)

Rosaceae (Rose family)

Agrimonia gryposepala (commonly known as tall hairy agrimony, common agrimony, hooked agrimony, or tall hairy grooveburr), used to treat fever.

References

Cherokee ethnobotany Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

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