Useful Native American Herbs in Ancient & Modern Times

The indigenous peoples of North America possessed a profound, sophisticated understanding of the local flora, utilizing native plants for both physical healing and spiritual well-being. Generations of observation and practice yielded a rich pharmacopeia that modern herbalism still relies upon today.

Echinacea and Goldenseal

Echinacea: Native to the Great Plains, various species of Echinacea (such as Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia) were heavily utilized by Plains tribes. Traditionally, the roots and plants were applied as a primary remedy for snakebites, toothaches, coughs, colds, and general pain. Today, it is globally celebrated for its immune-stimulating properties.

Goldenseal: Indigenous to the woodlands of North America, goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) was prized by Eastern tribes like the Cherokee for its potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. It was traditionally brewed into washes or teas to treat skin conditions, eye inflammations, and digestive issues.

Black Cohosh and Witch Hazel

Black Cohosh: Known botanically as Actaea racemosa, this woodland plant was traditionally used by Native Americans—and later adopted by early settlers—as an essential remedy for women’s health. It was frequently employed to ease menstrual cramps, assist during complications of childbirth, and soothe rheumatic aches.

Witch Hazel: Indigenous communities, particularly the Iroquois and other Eastern tribes, discovered that boiling the twigs and bark of Hamamelis virginiana released powerful astringent compounds. It was widely used as a topical poultice to reduce swelling, soothe bruises, heal skin irritations, and relieve muscle strains.

Yarrow and Juniper

Yarrow: Achillea millefolium has a long history as a critical field medicine. Native American groups utilized the crushed fresh leaves or dried powders to staunch bleeding from wounds, earning it common historical names like "soldier's woundwort." It was also brewed into a warm tea to break fevers and address digestive discomfort.

Juniper: Valued deeply across multiple western and northern tribes, juniper (Juniperus species) served dual purposes. Its berries and boughs were made into teas or infusions to combat respiratory infections and urinary ailments, while the smoke from burning juniper was used to cleanse spaces and ward off sickness.

White Sage and Sweetgrass

White Sage: (Salvia apiana) is sacred to many indigenous groups of the American Southwest, notably the Cahuilla, Kumeyaay, and Chumash peoples. Traditionally gathered and bundled for smoke cleansing ceremonies, it is burned to purify individuals, sacred objects, and spaces of negative energy. Infusions made from its roots were also used postpartum.

Sweetgrass: Often braided and referred to as the "sacred hair of Mother Earth," sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) is one of the Four Sacred Medicines. Its sweet, vanilla-like aroma is utilized in prayer and purification rituals to invite peace, positive energy, and spiritual harmony, while decoctions were historically used to soothe coughs and sore throats.

Oregon Grape and Devil's Club

Oregon Grape: (Mahonia aquifolium) features bright yellow roots rich in berberine, which Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest utilized to treat digestive complaints, support liver function, and address chronic skin conditions like eczema through specialized washes and teas.

Devil's Club: A formidable, spiny shrub (Oplopanax horridus) native to the damp forests of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, Devil's Club holds immense cultural and medicinal weight. Indigenous groups traditionally used the inner bark ash or infusions for everything from treating wounds and respiratory ailments to spiritual protection and ceremonial purification.

What Herbal Supplements Contain Useful Native American Herbs?

God's Way Herbs Pause, a women's herbal support supplement and Immunity Booster are two herbal formulas that use traditional Native herbs for modern, everyday use. 

Articles Referenced for Useful Native American Herbs:

Medicinal Uses of Selected Plants at Our Medicinal Research Garden

Native American Sacred Herbs: Traditional Uses and Modern Applications

The Four Sacred Medicines

The Original Medicinal Plant Gatherers & Conservationists