Cherokee ethnobotany facts for kids

The Cherokee people, a Native American tribe, have a rich history and deep connection to the land. For hundreds of years, they have used plants not just for food, but also for medicine and other important purposes. This article explores some of the amazing ways the Cherokee traditionally used plants found in their environment.

Plants Used by the Cherokee

Adoxaceae (Moschatel Family)

• Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides (also called withe-rod or possumhaw) – The Cherokee made a special tea (called an infusion) from this plant. They drank it to help stop muscle spasms. The bark from the root was used to make people sweat, which can help with fevers. It was also used as a general tonic to make people feel stronger. A stronger tea was given for fevers, smallpox, and a sickness with fever and chills. They also used a tea from the bark as a wash for a sore tongue.
• Viburnum prunifolium (also called black haw) – Similar to withe-rod, this plant was used to make a tea to prevent muscle spasms. The root bark was used to help people sweat and as a tonic. A stronger tea was given for fevers, smallpox, and sickness with fever and chills. A tea from the bark was also used to wash a sore tongue.

Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis Family)

• Allium tricoccum (known as ramp or wild leek) – This plant was a popular food for the Cherokee. They ate it as a spring tonic to feel healthy and strong after winter. It was also used for colds and a throat condition called croup. Warm juice from the plant was used for earaches.

Asteraceae (Aster, Daisy, or Sunflower Family)

• Cichorium intybus (known as chicory) – A tea made from the root was used to calm nerves. This plant was brought to America by colonists and wasn't originally from here.
• Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium ssp. obtusifolium (known as rabbit tobacco or sweet everlasting) – This plant was used in a mix for muscle cramps, local pains, and twitching. They would rub a tea from it over scratches made on the skin where muscles hurt. It was also used with Carolina vetch for joint pain. A strong tea was taken for colds, and it was made into cough syrup. The plant was used in sweat baths to treat different illnesses. A warm liquid from it was blown down the throat for a clogged throat. It was chewed for a sore mouth and smoked for asthma.
• Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (known as New England aster) – A paste (poultice) made from the roots was used for pain. A tea from the roots was used for diarrhea. The liquid from the roots was sniffed for stuffy noses and throats. A tea from the plant was also used for fever.
• Tanacetum vulgare (known as tansy) – A tea from this plant was used for backaches. It was also used as a tonic. Some people wore it around their waist and in their shoes, believing it could help prevent miscarriages. This plant also came from other parts of the world and was not native to the Americas.

Berberidaceae

• Jeffersonia diphylla (known as twinleaf or rheumatism root) – A tea from this plant was used to treat swelling from too much fluid in the body, and for kidney and urinary problems. It was also made into a poultice for sores and swelling.

Campanulaceae (Bellflower Family)

• Triodanis perfoliata (known as clasping Venus's looking glass) – The root was used in a liquid mix for upset stomachs from eating too much. A tea from the roots was also taken and used as a bath for upset stomachs.

Cyperaceae

• Carex – A tea made from the leaf was used to "check bowels," meaning to help with digestion or diarrhea.

Ericaceae (Heath or Heather Family)

• Epigaea repens (known as mayflower or trailing arbutus) – A strong tea from this plant was used to cause vomiting to treat stomach pain. They gave a tea from it to children for diarrhea. A tea was also used for kidney problems and chest ailments. A mixed tea was taken for indigestion.
• Kalmia latifolia (known as mountain-laurel) – This plant was used to help with pain. A tea from the leaves was put on scratches made over painful areas. The rough edges of the leaves were rubbed on the skin for joint pain. Crushed leaves were rubbed on scratches from thorny plants. A tea from the plant was used as a wash to get rid of pests. It was also used in a mix as a rubbing medicine. The liquid from the leaves was rubbed into scratched skin of ball players to prevent cramps. A salve (healing ointment) made from the leaves was used for healing. The wood was also used for carving.
• Lyonia mariana (known as Piedmont staggerbush) – A tea from this plant was used for itchy toes, "ground-itch" (a type of skin irritation), and ulcers.

Fabaceae (Legume, Bean, or Pea Family)

• Baptisia australis (known as blue wild indigo) – The roots of this plant were used to make an herbal tea that helped with digestion or to treat toothaches and nausea.
• Senna hebecarpa (known as American senna or wild senna) – The Cherokee used a tea from this plant for many things. They drank it for cramps and heart problems. They gave it to children and adults to help with digestion and for fevers. It was also used for a condition where skin turned dark. A tea from the root was specifically given to children for fever. They made a poultice (paste) from the root for sores. A mixed tea was used for fainting spells and for pneumonia.
• Vicia caroliniana (known as Carolina vetch) – This plant was used for back pains, local pains, to make muscles stronger, and for muscle cramps and twitching. It was rubbed on stomach cramps. A mix was used for joint pain and for the condition where skin turned dark. It was also taken before a ball game. A tea was used for muscle pain, rubbed on scratches made over the painful area. A tea was also taken to cause vomiting. It was used with rabbit tobacco for joint pain.

Hydrangeaceae

• Hydrangea cinerea (known as ashy hydrangea) – A tea made from bark scrapings was taken for vomiting bile. A tea from the roots was taken by women during their periods to help with cleansing.

Iridaceae

• Iris cristata (known as dwarf crested iris) – A strong tea made from the crushed root was used as a salve for ulcers. A tea was taken for liver problems. A strong tea from the root was also used to treat "yellowish urine." The root was an ingredient in a cream for skin ulcers.
• Iris virginica (known as Virginia iris) – The root was pounded into a paste used as a salve for skin. A tea made from the root was used for liver problems. A strong tea from the root was used to treat "yellowish urine."

Juglandaceae

• Carya spp. (known as hickory) – The nuts from hickory trees were traditionally used by the Cherokee to make a special soup called Kanuchi.

Lamiaceae (Mint or Deadnettle Family)

• Blephilia ciliata (known as downy pagoda plant or Ohio horsemint) – This plant was used to make a poultice (paste) to treat headaches.

Lythraceae

• Lythrum alatum var. lanceolatum (known as winged loosestrife) – A tea from this plant was taken for kidney problems.

Onagraceae (Willowherb or Evening Primrose Family)

• Oenothera fruticosa (known as narrowleaf evening primrose) – The Cherokee would parboil (partially boil) the leaves, rinse them, and then cook them in hot grease as a vegetable.

Pontederiaceae

• Heteranthera reniformis – A hot poultice (paste) made from the roots was applied to swollen wounds and sores.

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup or Crowfoot Family)

• Hydrastis canadensis (known as goldenseal) – This plant was used as a treatment for cancer.
• Ranunculus acris (known as meadow buttercup or tall buttercup) – This plant was used as a poultice for abscesses (pus-filled swellings). A tea was given by mouth for "thrush" (a mouth infection). The juice was used to help people relax or sleep. They also cooked the leaves and ate them as greens. This plant was brought from Europe and Asia and is not native to North America.

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

• Agrimonia gryposepala (known as tall hairy agrimony) – This plant was used to treat fever.

Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family)

• Acer saccharinum (known as silver maple) – The Cherokee made a tea from the bark for cramps, dysentery (a severe stomach illness), and hives (itchy skin rash). They boiled the inner bark and used it with water as a wash for sore eyes. A mixed tea from the bark was also taken for "female trouble" and cramps. A hot tea from the bark was used for measles. The tree's wood was also used for making baskets, lumber, building materials, and for carving.