Plants & Herb Used By the Cherokee Indians

Historically associated with the southeastern United States, the Cherokee people now reside mainly in Oklahoma and North Carolina following a forced relocation in the mid-19th century. Within their traditional woodland home, the Cherokee relied on agriculture to meet the majority of their dietary needs, but often utilized a wide variety of plant life found throughout the region for medicinal and utilitarian purposes.

Common throughout the eastern woodlands, partridge berry (Mitchella repens) is a creeping perennial herb known for its shiny, bright-red berries and evergreen foliage. The shiny, heart-shaped leaves are easily identifiable by shape and by their dark-green coloration, which is marked by a yellowish central rib. The Cherokee often brewed the leaves and berries of the partridge berry into a tea used to treat intestinal upsets and menstrual pain. One of the main applications of partridge berry tea among the Cherokee was during childbirth, when it was administered to help the passage of the placenta.

Known in Western homeopathy as black cohosh, black snakeroot (Cimicifuga racemosa) was an important medicinal plant utilized by the Cherokee in their eastern homeland. Used to treat arthritis pain and reduce discomfort from the chills, black snakeroot also served as an all-purpose treatment for a wide range of gynecological complaints, including menstrual cramps and menopause. When harvesting the roots in the wild, the Cherokee searched for the plant's characteristic flower stalk, which stands up to 8 feet in height with airy, creamy-white flower tufts.

Found along creek beds in areas of dappled sunlight, yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima) is a woody subshrub native to the eastern United States. Known for its brilliant fall foliage, yellowroot bears waxen, brownish-purple flowers in early spring, which help aid in identification. The Cherokee prized yellowroot for its ability to treat ulcerations of the mouth and skin, as well as for the vivid yellow dye that could be rendered from the roots.

Once creating vast woodlands along the Eastern Seaboard, the American beech (Fagus grandifolia) was an important source of food and medicine for the Cherokee. Known for their silvery-gray bark and dark-green leaves, American beech trees bear a large crop of spiny nuts each autumn that are rich in vital fats and protein. The Cherokee people utilized the bark of the American beech as a worming agent, brewing a strong tea to help purge the body of parasites.

White oak (Quercus alba) forests cover much of the eastern United States and were relied upon by the Cherokee as a source of food, fiber and medicine. The bark, which is thick and prone to peeling, provided a sturdy fiber for basket making and to produce strong rope and twine. Also a source of medicine, the bark was brewed into a tea used to alleviate diarrhea. In autumn, acorns were harvested to provide nutritious and long-lasting food stores for the winter.

Known for its large, heart-shaped leaves, wild ginger (Asarum canadense) served several purposes for the Cherokee. Apart from providing a spicy flavoring in cooking, the roots of wild ginger were brewed into a tea to treat heart problems. Due to the presence of mild chemical stimulants within the roots, it was also used as a snuff similar to chewing tobacco.