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Hawthorn – Of the Crataegus species, Hawthorn has been used to treat heart disease as far back as the 1st century. By the early 1800’s, American doctors were using it to treat circulatory disorders and respiratory illnesses.
Hellebores – Commonly known as Hellebore, these flowering plants were native to Eurasia, there are approximately 20 species, many of which are poisonous. Also known as Bugbane, Devil’s Bite, Earth Gall, Indian Poke, Itchweed, and Tickleweed, it has long been used in old medicinal remedies, but is no longer used today as the herb has been found to be severely toxic and has numerous severe side effects. The Cherokee were known to have used the green hellebore to relive body pains.
Hops – Native throughout Europe and Asia, the female flower clusters, commonly called seed cones or strobiles, have long been known as the flavoring and stability agent in beer. However, they were also used in traditional herbal medicine. In Native American remedies, the Mohegan tribe were known to have prepared a sedative medicine that was applied to toothache; the Dakota people used a tea to relieve pains of the digestive organs, and the Menominee tribe regarded a related species of hops as a general panacea.
Horsemint – Officially known as Mentha Longifolia, this is a species of the Mint family native to Europe and Asia, it has long been valued for its antiseptic properties and effect on the digestion. In Native American Medicine, the Catawba tribe crushed and steeped fresh horsemint leaves in cold water and drank the infusion to allay back pain. Other tribes used horsemint for fever, inflammation, and chills.
Disclaimer: These herbs have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. Plants listed here must not be used to diagnose, treat, or heal medical conditions. Many are poisonous.
Hamamelis virginiana, also known as Witch Hazel. Native Americans produced witch hazel extract by boiling the stems of the shrub & producing a decoction, which was used to treat swellings, inflammations, & tumors. Witch hazel is utilized by many tribes, including the Menominee for sore legs of tribesmen who participate in sporting games, the Osage for skin ulcers & sores, the Potawatomi in sweat lodges for sore muscles & the Iroquois in tea for coughs & colds.
Tribe Uses
Cherokee Pain relief, colds, skin issues & fever
Chippewa Skin issues, emetic, sore eyes
Iroquois Confederation Antidiarrheal, blood purifier, arthritis, appetite stimulant
Menominee Predictor of future healing
Potawatomi Sore muscles
Mohegan Dowsing
Heracleum maximum, used by various Native American peoples. Perhaps the most common use was to make poultices to be applied to bruises or sores
Holodiscus discolor, used by Indian tribes, such as the Stl'atl'imx. They would steep the berries in boiling water to use as a treatment for diarrhea, smallpox, chickenpox & as a blood tonic.
Holodiscus dumosus, used by the Paiute & Shoshone as medicine for problems such as stomach aches & colds.
