When the settlers arrived to the New World, they learned how to use common plants in their folk medicines from the Native Americans. The Indians also taught the settlers a few new uses for the medicinal plants that they brought with them from their native lands. Background

Medical Uses The Native Americans and Settlers used many different types of plants to cure various medical symptoms: –Asthma –Bronchitis –Burns –Colds –Colic –Cancer –Diabetes –Tuberculosis

Asthma Was used to stimulate the removal of phlegm (mucus) in asthma. A tea is made from the roots and acts as a sedative for asthma. Skunk Cabbage

Bronchitis A tea was made from the leaves which was used for bronchial and other respiratory problems. Creosote Bush

Burns The blossoms were boiled and the resulting liquid was applied to burns and skin sores. Yellow-Spine Thistle

Colds & Fevers Boneset tea was one of the most frequently used home remedies The tea was used to cure fevers and colds. Boneset

Colic A tea was made from catnip leaves to treat colic. Catnip

Cancer The alkaloids in the Bloodroot have been found to possess powerful anti- cancer properties. A paste was made and used to cover the malignant area. It was also used for war and dance paint. Bloodroot

Diabetes The blossoms were submerged in warm water when they were in full bloom and then drank to cure the symptoms of diabetes. Wild Carrot

Tuberculosis The inner bark of the Wild Cherry Tree is used to help cure the symptoms of tuberculosis. Wild Cherry

Today’s Medicine Findings In today’s modern medicine we have found that some of the remedies used by the Native Americans are not so great. –Bloodroot: was used to treat cancer and is now known to produce chemicals toxic to animal cells –Skunk cabbage: was used to help calm the symptoms of asthma and it has now been shown to be toxic, carcinogenic, and cause liver cancer.

Sources Medicines-on-Early-Colonist-Folk-Remedies -herbal-remedies-tap-into-rich-herbal-heritage-for-health/