This is a list of plants documented to have been traditionally used by the

Cherokee The Cherokee (; chr, ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏯᎢ, translit=Aniyvwiyaʔi or Anigiduwagi, or chr, ᏣᎳᎩ, links=no, translit=Tsalagi) are one of the indigenous peoples of the Southeastern Woodlands of the United States. Prior to the 18th century, t ...

, and how they are used.

Adoxaceae (moschatel family)

* ''Viburnum nudum'' var. ''cassinoides'' (commonly known as withe-rod, witherod viburnum, possumhaw, and wild raisin) – an

infusion Infusion is the process of extracting chemical compounds or flavors from plant material in a solvent such as water, oil or alcohol, by allowing the material to remain suspended in the solvent over time (a process often called steeping). An in ...

of the plant taken to prevent recurrent spasms, root bark used as a diaphoretic and a tonic, and compound infusion of it taken for fever,

smallpox Smallpox was an infectious disease caused by variola virus (often called smallpox virus) which belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus. The last naturally occurring case was diagnosed in October 1977, and the World Health Organization (WHO) c ...

and ague. An infusion of the bark used as a wash for a sore tongue.Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey, 1975, Cherokee Plants and Their Uses – A 400 Year History, Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co., page 62 *''

Viburnum prunifolium ''Viburnum prunifolium'' (known as blackhaw or black haw, blackhaw viburnum, sweet haw, and stag bush) is a species of '' Viburnum'' native to eastern North America, from Connecticut west to eastern Kansas, and south to Alabama and Texas. Growt ...

'' (commonly known as black haw) – an infusion of the plant taken to prevent recurrent spasms, root bark used as a diaphoretic and a tonic, and compound infusion of it taken for fever,

and ague. An infusion of the bark used as a wash for a sore tongue.

Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis family)

*''

Allium tricoccum ''Allium tricoccum'' (commonly known as ramp, ramps, ramson, wild leek, wood leek, or wild garlic) is a North American species of wild onion or garlic widespread across eastern Canada and the eastern United States. Many of the common English na ...

'' (commonly known as ramp, ramps, spring onion, ramson, wild leek, wood leek, and wild garlic), eaten as food.Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses – A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 52) The

also eat the plant as a spring tonic, for colds and for croup. They also use the warm juice for earaches.

Asteraceae (aster, daisy, sunflower, or composite family)

*''

Cichorium intybus Common chicory (''Cichorium intybus'') is a somewhat woody, perennial herbaceous plant of the family Asteraceae, usually with bright blue flowers, rarely white or pink. Native to the Old World, it has been introduced to North America and Austral ...

'' (common names are chicory or common chicory – an

of the root is used as a tonic for nerves. This plant is not native to the Americas and was introduced by colonists. * ''Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium'' ssp. ''obtusifolium'' (common names include old field balsam, rabbit tobacco and sweet everlasting), used in a compound for muscle cramps, local pains, and twitching,Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses – A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 51, 52) and apply an infusion of it over scratches made over muscle cramp pain. It is also used internally with Carolina vetch for rheumatism. A decoction is taken for colds, and the plant is also made into cough syrup. It is used in a sweat bath to treat various diseases, made into a warm liquid blown down throat for clogged throat (diphtheria), chewed for a sore mouth, smoked for asthma, and chewed for a sore throat. *''

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (formerly ''Aster novae-angliae'') is a species of flowering plant in the aster family (Asteraceae) native to central and eastern North America. Commonly known as , , or , it is a perennial, herbaceous plant usually between tall and wi ...

'' (common names New England aster or Michaelmas daisy),

poultice A poultice, also called a cataplasm, is a soft moist mass, often heated and medicated, that is spread on cloth and placed over the skin to treat an aching, inflamed, or painful part of the body. It can be used on wounds, such as cuts. 'Poultice ...

of roots used for pain, infusion of the roots for diarrhea, and the ooze of the roots is sniffed for

catarrh Catarrh is an exudate of inflamed mucous membranes in one of the airways or cavities of the body, usually with reference to the throat and paranasal sinuses. It can result in a thick exudate of mucus and white blood cells caused by the swelling o ...

. An infusion of the plant for fever. *''Tanacetum vulgare'' (common name tansy) – an infusion of the plant is used for backache, the plant is used as a tonic, and worn it around the waist and in shoes to prevent miscarriages. This plant is not native to the Americas and was introduced by colonists.

Berberidaceae

*''Jeffersonia diphylla'' (common names include twinleaf or rheumatism root), used in an

for treating dropsy, as well as gravel and urinary tract problems. Also used as a poultice for sores and inflammation.

Campanulaceae (bellflower family)

*''Triodanis perfoliata'' (common name clasping Venus's looking glass), root used in liquid compound for dyspepsia from overeating, and

of roots taken and use it as a bath for dyspepsia.

Cyperaceae

*''Carex'', infusion of the leaf used to "check bowels".

Ericaceae (heath or heather family)

*''Epigaea repens'' (common names are mayflower or trailing arbutus) decoction of the plant used to induce vomiting to treat abdominal pain, and they give an infusion of the plant to children for diarrhea.Taylor, Linda Averill 1940 Plants Used As Curatives by Certain Southeastern Tribes. Cambridge, MA. Botanical Museum of Harvard University (p. 48) An infusion is also used for the kidneys and for "chest ailment".Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses – A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 23) They also take a compound infusion for indigestion. *''Kalmia latifolia'' (common names include mountain-laurel, calico-bush, or spoonwood,), used as an analgesic by placing an

of leaves put on scratches made over location of the pain. The bristly edges of ten to twelve leaves" are rubbed over the skin for rheumatism, leaves are also crushed to rub brier scratches. The plant is used an infusion as a wash "to get rid of pests", used in a compounding, compound as a liniment, leaf ooze is rubbed into scratched skin of ball players to prevent cramps, and a leaf salve is used for healing. The wood is also used for carving. *''Lyonia mariana'' (common names include Piedmont staggerbush and staggerbush) – an

of the plant used for toe itch, 'ground-itch' and ulcers.

Fabaceae (legume, bean, or pea family)

*''Baptisia australis'' (common names include blue wild indigo, blue false indigo, indigo weed, rattleweed, rattlebush, and horsefly weed), the roots of which are used in an herbal tea as a purgative or to treat tooth aches and nausea, *''Senna hebecarpa'' (common names include American senna and wild senna) The Cherokee use

of the plant for various purposes, including taking it for cramps, heart trouble, giving it to children and adults as a purgative and for fever, and taking it for 'blacks' (hands and eye sockets turn black). They also give an infusion of the root specifically to children for fever. The Cherokee use a

the root for sores, and they use a compound infusion for fainting spells. It is also used use a compound for pneumonia. *''Vicia caroliniana'' (common name Carolina vetch, or Carolina wood vetch), used for back pains, local pains, to toughen muscles, for muscular cramps, twitching and is rubbed on stomach cramps. They also use a compound for rheumatism, for an affliction called "blacks", and it is taken for wind before a ball game. An infusion is used for muscle pain, in that it is rubbed on scratches made over the location of the pain. An infusion is also taken as an emetic. It is also used internally with ''Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium'' ssp. ''obtusifolium'' for rheumatism.

Hydrangeaceae

*''Hydrangea cinerea'' (common names include ashy or gray hydrangea) An

of the bark scrapings is taken for vomiting bile, and an infusion of the roots is taken as a cathartic and emetic by women during menses.

Iridaceae

*''Iris cristata'' (common names dwarf crested iris, crested iris) – a decoction of the pulverized root is used as salve for ulcers. An

(tea) is taken for liver. A decoction of the root is also used to treat a "yellowish urine". The root is also used as an ingredient in a cream applied to skin ulcers. *''Iris virginica'' (common name Virginia iris) – the root is pounded into a paste that is used as a salve for skin. An

made from the root is used to treat ailments of the liver, and a decoction of root is used to treat "yellowish urine".

Juglandaceae

* ''Carya'' spp. (common name: hickory) - the nut of which was traditionally used by the Cherokee in making Kanuchi, the Hickory nut soup.

Lamiaceae (mint or deadnettle family)

*''Blephilia ciliata'' (common names include downy pagoda plant, sunny woodmint and Ohio horsemint.), used make a poultice to treat headaches.

Lythraceae

*Lythrum alatum, ''Lythrum alatum'' var. ''lanceolatum'' (common names include winged loosestrife, winged lythrum, angled purple-loosestrife), infusion taken for kidneys.

Onagraceae (willowherb or evening primrose family)

*''Oenothera fruticosa'' (Common names include narrowleaf evening primrose or narrow-leaved sundrops) The

parboil the leaves, rinse them and cook in hot grease as a potherb.

Pontederiaceae

*''Heteranthera reniformis'', hot poultice of roots applied to inflamed wounds and sores.

Ranunculaceae (buttercup or crowfoot family)

*''Hydrastis canadensis'' (common names include goldenseal, orangeroot and yellow puccoon, used as a cancer treatment. *''Ranunculus acris'' (common names include meadow buttercup, tall buttercup and giant buttercup. used as a poultice for abscesses, as an oral infusion for "thrush", and the juice is used as a sedative.Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey 1975 Cherokee Plants and Their Uses – A 400 Year History. Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co. (p. 31) They also cook the leaves and eat them as greens. (Note: This plant was introduced from Eurasia, and is not native to North America.)

Rosaceae (rose family)

*''Agrimonia gryposepala'' (commonly known as tall hairy agrimony,Plants Profile for ''Agrimonia gyrosepala''
Retrieved 2010-03-13. common agrimony, hooked agrimony, or tall hairy grooveburrITIS Standard Report Page: ''Agrimonia gryposepala
Retrieved 2010-03-13.), used to treat fever.

Sapindaceae (soapberry family)

*''Acer saccharinum'' common names silver maple, creek maple, silverleaf maple, soft maple, large maple, water maple, swamp maple, or white maple, The

take an infusion of the bark for cramps, dysentery, and hives.Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey, 1975, Cherokee Plants and Their Uses -- A 400 Year History, Sylva, N.C. Herald Publishing Co., page 44 They boil the inner bark and use it with water as a wash for sore eyes. They also take a compound infusion of the bark for "female trouble" and cramps. They take a hot infusion of the bark for measles, and use the tree to make baskets, for lumber, building material, and for carving.

References

{{Flora of the United States by political division Cherokee culture, Ethnobotany Plants used in traditional Native American medicine, * Flora of the Great Plains (North America), * Lists of flora of the United States, Cherokee Medical lists, Cherokee ethnobotany Plants used in Native American cuisine, * Ethnobotany