Herbal Herbs and Native American Healing & Cleansing
Native Americans believe that natural Herbal Herbs are affect the spirit or soul of the person. Spiritual Healing, which includes the use of natural herbal herbs, is undertaken by the Shaman or Medicine Man of the tribes and is based on the healing practices and beliefs of Native American Indians. This type of healing combines elements of spirituality, ceremonies and rituals using natural Medicinal Herbal Herbs for healing and cleansing. Sacred Herbal Herbs - Rituals, Spiritual Cleansing and Smudging
Natural Herbal Herbs have long been used as the basis of traditional Native American herbal medicine and spiritual healing, with its usage dating back to the ancient cultures of North America. Natural Herbal Herbs strongly feature in the ceremonies and rituals of Native Americans and used for their hallucinogenic and narcotic properties to induce Trance States, spiritual experiences and Spiritual Journeys for rites of passage rituals, such as Vision Quests. Many of the Medicine Men or Shamans used natural herbal herbs such as sweetgrass, white sage and cedar for spiritual cleansing, healing and for Smudging Rituals. The Medicine Man and the Herbal Herbs
The Medicine Man, or Shaman, became an expert in his knowledge of Herbal Herbs and how they should be used during spiritual experiences and the healing process. Over 2000 medicinal plants were used as natural herbal herbs by the Native Americans in all the different tribes across North America. The Shaman spent his whole life identifying and collecting such plants and herbal herbs. His knowledge of plant life and natural herbal herbs extended to the medicinal properties of trees, ferns, flowers, nuts, vines, grasses, shrubs and forbs (a broad-leaved herb other than a grass, found growing in prairies, fields and meadows. Preparing Herbal Herbs
Medicinal Herbal herbs are prepared in several different ways as each of the herbal herbs release its healing powers in distinct forms. Methods in the preparation of Herbal Herbs included making infusions (hot teas), decoctions (boiled teas), tinctures (using alcohol and water extracts), macerations (cold soaking) in order to make powders, ointments, poultices, and salves. The Medicine Man, or Shaman, required the knowledge and skills to use Herbal Herbs as remedies for the vast variety of ailments treated by modern doctors. For additional information refer to the Preparation and Application of Herbal Medicinal Plants. Medicinal Herbal Remedies and Treatments
The Medicine Man needed to know the properties of Herbal Herbs, how they should be prepared and the quantities that were safe to administer. Some of the herbal herbs used were toxic or poisonous but were not dangerous if the correct quantities were taken. Herbal Herbs could be used in many ways, using different parts of the plant including the leaves, flowers, juice, bark and roots to make powders, poultices, essential oils, ointments, tinctures, salves and teas. - American Cranberrybush Crampbark: Viburnum trilobum
Antispasmodic, nervine, tonic, astringent, diuretic
Relieves cramps and spasms, high blood pressure, heart conditions, colds, fever, flu, eczema and skin conditions
Bark - American Elder: Sambucus canadensis
Various, according to plant part used
Headache, coughs, colds, influenza
Root, inner bark, leaf buds, berries, leaves, flowers - American Linden: Tilia americana
Diaphoretic, stomachic. Bark: emollient. Colds, flu, coughs, fever, headaches, indigestion
Flowers and leaves, inner bark - Arnica: Arnica montana
Diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, stimulant
Backache, wounds, bruises, arthritis, and irritations
Flowers, roots - Bayberry: Myrica cerifera
Stimulant, astringent, emetic, antispasmodic, tonic
Stomach disorders, Colds, flu, Poultices
Bark, leaves, flowers - Bearberry: Arctostaphylos: uva-ursi
Diuretic, astringent, tonic.
Kidney and bladder infections, kidney stones, diabetes
Leaves - Black Cherry: Prunus serotina
Astringent, sedative, digestive, expectorant. Colds, flu, coughs, fever, headaches, indigestion
Dried inner bark - Black snake root aka Cohosh: Macrotys Cimicifuga racemosa
Astringent, diuretic, expectorant, anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory. Inflammations, rheumatism, 'female ailments'
Rootstock - Bloodroot: Sanguinaria canadensis
Expectorant,stimulant, diuretic, sedative, antibacterial
Rheumatism, Sore Throat, Respiratory Infections
Rootstock - Boneset: Eupatorium perfoliatum
Laxative, antispasmodic, expectorant, Rheumatism, Colds, flu, coughs, fever, headaches
Leaves and flowering tops - Bugleweed: Lycopus virginicus
Sedative, astringent, mild narcotic, tonic, Heart diseases, chronic lung ailments, coughs, diabetes.
Whole plant - Burdock: Arctium minus
Diaphoretic, diuretic, tonic, Skin blood and bladder disorders
Whole plant - Butternut: Juglans cinerea
Various, according to plant part used. Digestive and skin disorders
Inner bark, nuts, nut oil, and leaves - Catnip: Nepeta cataria
Antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, tonic. Colds, flu, coughs, fever, headaches, pain
Leaves - Comfrey: Symphytum officinale
Astringent, emollient, expectorant, tonic. Asthma, coughs, flu, ulcers, varicose veins, pain, and burns. Stomach, kidneys, bowels, and lungs.
Leaves and root - Purple Coneflower: Echinacea pupurea
Antibacterial, antiviral, analgesic, digestive, tonic, antiseptic. Snake bite, Stings, Blood Poisoning. Immune System
Roots and leaves - Flowering Dogwood: Cornus florida
Astringent, stimulant, tonic. Ointments, fever, pneumonia, colds
Inner bark, berries, twigs - Gentian: Gentiana Lutea
Stomachic, antibacterial, stimulant, anti-inflammatory, laxative. Backache, liver complaints, tonic
Roots and Leaves - Goldenseal: Hydrastis canadensis
Laxative, tonic, antibacterial, Skin diseases, Sore eyes. Gum disease, Liver and Heart problems
Roots - Goldthread: Coptis trifolia
Tonic, sedative, Dyspepsia, Gargle, mouthwash
Rootstock - Gum Plant: Grindelia robusta
Antispasmodic, expectorant, sedative. Colds, flu, respiratory complaints, digestive complaints
Leaves, flowering tops - Horsemint: Monarda punctata
Cardiac, diuretic, aromatic, stomachic, calmative. Backache, fever, inflammation, and chills. Digestive problems
Leaves, flowering tops - Horsetail: Equisetum arvense
Diuretic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, styptic. Diuretic, gall stones, and kidney stones
Stems - Horseweed: Erigeron canadensis
Astringent, diuretic, styptic, tonic. Diarrhea, dysentery, and hemorrhoids
Leaves or plant - Indian Tobacco: Lobelia inflata
Antispasmodic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, stimulant, sedative. Asthma. Poultices
Seeds, flowers, and leaves - Jewelweed: Impatiens biflora
Antispasmodic, cathartic, caustic, diuretic, expectorant, purgative. Sore Mouth
Whole plant - Jimson Weed: Datura stramonium
Antispasmodic, hypnotic, narcotic. A narcotic poison
Leaves, root, seed - Liverleaf: Hepatica americana
Diuretic, pectoral, tonic, astringent. Bronchitis, coughs, fever, colds, sore throat, jaundice, indigestion
Leaves, flowers - Mullein: Verbascum Thapsus
Diuretic, expectorant, analgesic, tonic, antispasmodic, astringent. Asthma, Hay Fever, Diarrhea, dysentery
Leaves, flowers, root - Peppermint: Mentha piperita
Stomachic, calmative, analgesic. Headaches, heartburn, indigestion
Leaves, oil, and flowering tops - Pokeberry: Phytolacca americana
Reduces inflammation, emetic, cathartic Rheumatism. Poultices
Root, leaves, berries - Sage: Salvia officinalis
Salvia apiana is the white sage used in Smudging
Diaphoretic, stimulant, diurectic, antispasmodic, anti-diarrheic, expectorant, Coughs, colds, digestive problems
Leaves - Sagebrush: Artemisia tridentata
Aromatic, antiseptic. Wounds
Leaves - Sassafras: Sassafras variifolium
Aromatic, stimulant, diuretic, antiseptic. Rheumatism, arthritis, gout, skin complaints
Bark of the root - Skunk Cabbage: Spathyema foetida
Antispasmodic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, slightly narcotic, stimulant. Asthma, respiratory ailments, rheumatism
Rootstock; roots and seed - Spearmint: Mentha spicata
Stomachic, calmative, analgesic. Headaches, heartburn, indigestion
Leaves, oil, and flowering tops - Stone root: Collinsonia canadensis
Diuretic, tonic, astringent. Urinary problems. Poultice for wounds and sprains
Leaves and Rootstock - Sweetfern: Comptonia peregrina
Astringent, tonic. Digestive and Skin problems
Whole plant - Sweetgrass, Sweet Grass: Hierochloe odorata
Calmative. Coughs, sore throats Teas used for chapping, windburn, eyewash
Leaves - Tamarack: Larix laricina
Diuretic, laxative, tonic. Bark, resin, young shoots, needles
Bark, resin, young shoots, needles - Tansy: Tanacetum vulgare
Aromatic, diaphoretic, carminative (relieves intestinal gas) and tonic. Circulation, treating varicose veins, tonic
Flowers, seeds - Wahoo: Euonymus atropurpureus
Cardiac, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, tonic. Heart, chest and lung congestion, indigestion
Bark and root bark - White Mustard: Brassica alba
Appetizer, digestive, irritant. Rheumatism, sciatica, peritonitis, neuralgia
Seeds - White Sage: Salvia apiana is the white sage used in Smudging
Diaphoretic, stimulant, diurectic, antispasmodic, anti-diarrheic, expectorant. Coughs, colds, digestive problems
Leaves - Wild Ginger: Asarum canadense
Stimulant, tonic, diuretic. Treating wounds Earache. Gout
Roots - Wild Indigo: Baptisia tinctoria
Antiseptic, stimulant, purgative. Pneumonia, tuberculosis, influenza, kidneys
Bark of the root and the leaves - Wintergreen: Gaultheria procumbens
Analgesic, astringent, diuretic, stimulant, anodyne, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, aromatic. Asthma, Rheumatism, Headache
Leaves - Witch Hazel: Hamamelis virginiana
Astringent, sedative, styptic, tonic. Astringent, skin irritations, bruises, varicose veins
Bark and leaves - Wormwood: Artemisia absinthium
Antiseptic, antispasmodic, aromatic, narcotic, stimulant, stomachic, tonic. Indigestion, gastric pain, fevers, dysentery, asthma
Leaves, flowering tops - Yarrow: Achillea Millefolium
Astringent, antispasmodic, tonic, promotes sweating.
Headaches, fevers, colds, and influenza. rheumatism, high blood pressure
Whole plant
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