1. UNASTE[']TSTIY[^U]="very small root"--Aristolochia
serpentaria--Virginia or black snakeroot: Decoction of root blown upon
patient for fever and feverish headache, and drunk for coughs; root
chewed and spit upon wound to cure snake bites; bruised root placed
in hollow tooth for toothache, and held against nose made sore by
constant blowing in colds. Dispensatory: "A stimulant tonic, acting
also as a diaphoretic or diuretic, according to the mode of its
application; * * * also been highly recommended in intermittent
fevers, and though itself generally inadequate to the cure often
proves serviceable as an adjunct to Peruvian bark or sulphate of
quinia." Also used for typhous diseases, in dyspepsia, as a gargle
for sore throat, as a mild stimulant in typhoid fevers, and to promote
eruptions. The genus derives its scientific name from its supposed
efficacy in promoting menstrual discharge, and some species have
acquired the "reputation of antidotes for the bites of serpents."
2. UNISTIL['][^U][n]IST[^I][8]="they stick on"--Cynoglossum
Morrisoni--Beggar lice: Decoction of root or top drunk for kidney
troubles; bruised root used with bear oil as an ointment for cancer;
forgetful persons drink a decoction of this plant, and probably also
of other similar bur plants, from an idea that the sticking qualities
of the burs will thus be imparted to the memory. From a similar
connection of ideas the root is also used in the preparation of love
charms. Dispensatory: Not named. C. officinale "has been used as
a demulcent and sedative in coughs, catarrh, spitting of blood,
dysentery, and diarrhea, and has been also applied externally in
burns, ulcers, scrofulous tumors and goiter."
[Footnote 8: The Cherokee plant names here given are generic names,
which are the names commonly used. In many cases the same name is
applied to several species and it is only when it is necessary to
distinguish between them that the Indians use what might be called
specific names. Even then the descriptive term used serves to
distinguish only the particular plants under discussion and the
introduction of another variety bearing the same generic name would
necessitate a new classification of species on a different basis,
while hardly any two individuals would classify the species by the
same characteristics.]
3. [^U][n]NAG[/E]I="black"--Cassia Marilandica--Wild senna: Root bruised
and moistened with water for poulticing sores; decoction drunk for fever
and for a disease also called [^u][n]nage[']i, or "black" (same name
as plant), in which the hands and eye sockets are said to turn black;
also for a disease described as similar to [^u][n]nagei, but more
dangerous, in which the eye sockets become black, while black spots
appear on the arms, legs, and over the ribs on one side of the body,
accompanied by partial paralysis, and resulting in death should the
black spots appear also on the other side. Dispensatory: Described as
"an efficient and safe cathartic, * * * most conveniently given in the
form of infusion."
4. K[^A]SD['][/U]TA="simulating ashes," so called on account of the
appearance of the leaves--Gnaphalium decurrens--Life everlasting:
Decoction drunk for colds; also used in the sweat bath for various
diseases and considered one of their most valuable medical plants.
Dispensatory: Not named. Decoctions of two other species of this genus
are mentioned as used by country people for chest and bowel diseases,
and for hemorrhages, bruises, ulcers, etc., although "probably
possessing little medicinal virtue."
5. ALTSA[']STI="a wreath for the head"--Vicia Caroliniana--Vetch:
Decoction drunk for dyspepsia and pains in the back, and rubbed on
stomach for cramp; also rubbed on ball-players after scratching, to
render their muscles tough, and used in the same way after scratching
in the disease referred to under [^u][n]nagei, in which one side becomes
black in spots, with partial paralysis; also used in same manner in
decoction with K[^a]sduta for rheumatism; considered one of their most
valuable medicinal herbs. Dispensatory: Not named.
6. DISTAI[']Y[)I]="they (the roots) are tough"--Tephrosia
Virginiana--Catgut, Turkey Pea, Goat's Rue, or Devil's Shoestrings:
Decoction drunk for lassitude. Women wash their hair in decoction of
its roots to prevent its breaking or falling out, because these roots
are very tough and hard to break; from the same idea ball-players
rub the decoction on their limbs after scratching, to toughen them.
Dispensatory: Described as a cathartic with roots tonic and aperient.
7. U[']GA-ATASGI[']SK[)I]="the pus oozes out"--Euphorbia
hypericifolia--Milkweed: Juice rubbed on for skin eruptions,
especially on children's heads; also used as a purgative; decoction
drunk for gonorrhoea and similar diseases in both sexes, and held in
high estimation for this purpose; juice used as an ointment for sores
and for sore nipples, and in connection with other herbs for cancer.
Dispensatory: The juice of all of the genus has the property of
"powerfully irritating the skin when applied to it," while nearly all
are powerful emetics and cathartics. This species "has been highly
commended as a remedy in dysentery after due depletion, diarrhea,
menorrhagia, and leucorrhea."
8. G[^U][']N[)I]GWAL[)I][']SK[)I]="It becomes discolored when
bruised"--Scutellaria lateriflora--Skullcap. The name refers to
the red juice which comes out of the stalk when bruised or chewed.
A decoction of the four varieties of G[^u]nigwal[)i][']sk[)i]--S.
lateriflora, S. pilosa, Hypericum corymbosum, and Stylosanthes
elatior--is drunk to promote menstruation, and the same decoction is
also drunk and used as a wash to counteract the ill effects of eating
food prepared by a woman in the menstrual condition, or when such a
woman by chance comes into a sick room or a house under the tabu; also
drunk for diarrhea and used with other herbs in decoction for breast
pains. Dispensatory: This plant "produces no very obvious effects,"
but some doctors regard it as possessed of nervine, antispasmodic and
tonic properties. None of the other three species are named.
9. K[^A][']GA SK[^U]['][n]TAG[)I]="crow shin"--Adiantum
pedatum--Maidenhair Fern: Used either in decoction or poultice for
rheumatism and chills, generally in connection with some other fern.
The doctors explain that the fronds of the different varieties of fern
are curled up in the young plant, but unroll and straighten out as it
grows, and consequently a decoction of ferns causes the contracted muscles
of the rheumatic patient to unbend and straighten out in like manner.
It is also used in decoction for fever. Dispensatory: The leaves "have
been supposed to be useful in chronic catarrh and other pectoral
affections."
10. ANDA[']NKALAGI[']SK[)I]="it removes things from the
gums"--Geranium maculatum--Wild Alum, Cranesbill: Used in decoction
with Y[^a]n[^u] Unihye[']st[)i] (Vitis cordifolia) to wash the mouths
of children in thrush; also used alone for the same purpose by blowing
the chewed fiber into the mouth. Dispensatory: "One of our best
indigenous astringents. * * * Diarrhea, chronic dysentery, cholora
infantum in the latter stages, and the various hemorrhages are the
forms of disease in which it is most commonly used." Also valuable
as "an application to indolent ulcers, an injection in gleet
and leucorrhea, a gargle in relaxation of the uvula and aphthous
ulcerations of the throat." The other plant sometimes used with it is
not mentioned.
11. [^U]['][n]L[)E] UK[)I][']LT[)I]="the locust frequents it"--Gillenia
trifoliata--Indian Physic. Two doctors state that it is good as a tea
for bowel complaints, with fever and yellow vomit; but another says
that it is poisonous and that no decoction is ever drunk, but that the
beaten root is a good poultice for swellings. Dispensatory: "Gillenia
is a mild and efficient emetic, and like most substances belonging to
the same class occasionally acts upon the bowels. In very small doses
it has been thought to be tonic."
12. SKWA[']L[)I]=Hepatica acutiloba--Liverwort, Heartleaf: Used for
coughs either in tea or by chewing root. Those who dream of snakes
drink a decoction of this herb and I[']nat[^u] Ga[']n`ka=="snake tongue"
(Camptosorus rhizophyllus or Walking Fern) to produce vomiting, after
which the dreams do not return. The traders buy large quantities of
liverwort from the Cherokees, who may thus have learned to esteem it
more highly than they otherwise would. The appearance of the other
plant, Camptosorus rhizophyllus, has evidently determined its Cherokee
name and the use to which it is applied. Dispensatory: "Liverwort is a
very mild demulcent tonic and astringent, supposed by some to possess
diuretic and deobstruent virtues. It was formerly used in Europe
in various complaints, especially chronic hepatic affections, but
has fallen into entire neglect. In this country, some years since,
it acquired considerable reputation, which, however, it has not
maintained as a remedy in haemoptysis and chronic coughs." The other
plant is not named.
13. DA[']YEW[^U]="it sews itself up," because the leaves are said to grow
together again when torn--Cacalia atriplicifolia--Tassel Flower: Held
in great repute as a poultice for cuts, bruises, and cancer, to draw
out the blood or poisonous matter. The bruised leaf is bound over the
spot and frequently removed. The dry powdered leaf was formerly used
to sprinkle over food like salt. Dispensatory: Not named.
14. A[']TAL[)I] K[^U]L[)I][']="it climbs the mountain."--Aralia
quinquefolia--Ginseng or "Sang:" Decoction of root drunk for headache,
cramps, etc., and for female troubles; chewed root blown on spot for
pains in the side. The Cherokees sell large quantities of sang to
the traders for 50 cents per pound, nearly equivalent there to two
days' wages, a fact which has doubtless increased their idea of its
importance. Dispensatory: "The extraordinary medical virtues formerly
ascribed to ginseng had no other existence than in the imagination of
the Chinese. It is little more than a demulcent, and in this country
is not employed as a medicine." The Chinese name, ginseng, is said to
refer to the fancied resemblance of the root to a human figure, while
in the Cherokee formulas it is addressed as the "great man" or "little
man," and this resemblance no doubt has much to do with the estimation
in which it is held by both peoples.
15. [^U][']TSAT[)I] UWADS[)I]SKA="fish scales," from shape of
leaves--Thalictrum anemonoides--Meadow Rue: Decoction of root drunk
for diarrhea with vomiting. Dispensatory: Not named.
16. K[']KW[)E] ULASU[']LA="partridge moccasin"--Cypripedium
parviflorum--Lady-slipper: Decoction of root used for worms in
children. In the liquid are placed some stalks of the common chickweed
or purslane (Cerastium vulgatum) which, from the appearance of its
red fleshy stalks, is supposed to have some connection with worms.
Dispensatory: Described as "a gentle nervous stimulant" useful in
diseases in which the nerves are especially affected. The other herb
is not named.
17. A[']HAW[)I]['] AK[)A][']T[)A][']="deer eye," from the appearance
of the flower--Rudbeckia fulgida--Cone Flower: Decoction of root drunk
for flux and for some private diseases; also used as a wash for snake
bites and swellings caused by (mythic) tsg[^a]ya or worms; also dropped
into weak or inflamed eyes. This last is probably from the supposed
connection between the eye and the flower resembling the eye.
Dispensatory: Not named.
18. UT[)I]STUG[)I][']=Polygonatum multiflorum latifolium--Solomon's
Seal: Root heated and bruised and applied as a poultice to remove
an ulcerating swelling called tu[']st[)i]['], resembling a boil or
carbuncle. Dispensatory: "This species acts like P. uniflorum, which
is said to be emetic. In former times it was used externally in
bruises, especially those about the eyes, in tumors, wounds, and
cutaneous eruptions and was highly esteemed as a cosmetic. At present
it is not employed, though recommended by Hermann as a good remedy
in gout and rheumatism." This species in decoction has been found
to produce "nausea, a cathartic effect and either diaphoresis
or diuresis," and is useful "as an internal remedy in piles, and
externally in the form of decoction, in the affection of the skin
resulting from the poisonous exhalations of certain plants."
19. [)A]M[)A]DITA`T['I]="water dipper," because water can be sucked up
through its hollow stalk--Eupatorium purpureum--Queen of the Meadow,
Gravel Root: Root used in decoction with a somewhat similar plant
called [)A]m[)a]dit[/a][']t[)i] [^u][']tanu, or "large water dipper"
(not identified) for difficult urination. Dispensatory: "Said to operate
as a diuretic. Its vulgar name of gravel root indicates the popular
estimation of its virtues." The genus is described as tonic,
diaphoretic, and in large doses emetic and aperient.
20. Y[^A]NA UTS[)E]STA="the bear lies on it"--Aspidium
acrostichoides--Shield Fern: Root decoction drunk to produce vomiting,
and also used to rub on the skin, after scratching, for rheumatism--in
both cases some other plant is added to the decoction; the
warm decoction is also held in the mouth to relieve toothache.
Dispensatory: Not named.
The results obtained from a careful study of this list may be
summarized as follows: Of the twenty plants described as used by the
Cherokees, seven (Nos. 2, 4, 5, 13, 15, 17, and 20) are not noticed
in the Dispensatory even in the list of plants sometimes used although
regarded as not officinal. It is possible that one or two of these
seven plants have medical properties, but this can hardly be true of
a larger number unless we are disposed to believe that the Indians are
better informed in this regard than the best educated white physicians
in the country. Two of these seven plants, however (Nos. 2 and 4),
belong to genera which seem to have some of the properties ascribed
by the Indians to the species. Five others of the list (Nos. 8, 9,
11, 14, and 16) are used for entirely wrong purposes, taking the
Dispensatory as authority, and three of these are evidently used on
account of some fancied connection between the plant and the disease,
according to the doctrine of signatures. Three of the remainder (Nos.
1, 3, and 6) may be classed as uncertain in their properties, that is,
while the plants themselves seem to possess some medical value, the
Indian mode of application is so far at variance with recognized
methods, or their own statements are so vague and conflicting, that
it is doubtful whether any good can result from the use of the herbs.
Thus the Unaste[']tstiy[^u], or Virginia Snakeroot, is stated by the
Dispensatory to have several uses, and among other things is said to
have been highly recommended in intermittent fevers, although alone
it is "generally inadequate to the cure." Though not expressly stated,
the natural inference is that it must be applied internally, but the
Cherokee doctor, while he also uses it for fever, takes the decoction
in his mouth and blows it over the head and shoulders of the patient.
Another of these, the Distai[']y[)i], or Turkey Pea, is described in
the Dispensatory as having roots tonic and aperient. The Cherokees
drink a decoction of the roots for a feeling of weakness and languor,
from which it might be supposed that they understood the tonic
properties of the plant had not the same decoction been used by the
women as a hair wash, and by the ball players to bathe their limbs,
under the impression that the toughness of the roots would thus be
communicated to the hair or muscles. From this fact and from the name
of the plant, which means at once hard, tough, or strong, it is quite
probable that its roots are believed to give strength to the patient
solely because they themselves are so strong and not because they
have been proved to be really efficacious. The remaining five plants
have generally pronounced medicinal qualities, and are used by
the Cherokees for the very purposes for which, according to the
Dispensatory, they are best adapted; so that we must admit that so
much of their practice is correct, however false the reasoning by
which they have arrived at this result.