Chapter 3

The Sacred Art of Wound Care

With gentle hands and ancient wisdom, Amy begins tending to Stanley's wounds. Sea salt water soaks and a paste of red willow bark become instruments of hope.Barberry  Barberis genus  Anthropologists believe in a ritual practice or sacred object, especially by Native Americans that it works as a supernatural power or as preventive or remedy of illness.  It is the most widely used drug in Homeopathic system of medicine for kidney pain and for removal of kidney stonesCandle Bush  Cassia alata  Leaves or sap are used to treat fungal infections such as ringworm. They contain a fungicide, chrysophanic acid.  Besides skin diseases, it is also used to treat a wide range of ailments from stomach problems, fever, asthma to snake bite and venereal diseases (syphilis, gonorrhoea).Horsemint  Monarda genus  Long history of use as a medicinal plants by many Native Americans including the Blackfeet, Menominee, Ojibwa, Winnebago and others.  Used for skin infections and minor wounds infections caused by dental caries and gingivitis excessive flatulenceCascara Buckthorn  Rhamnus purshiana  The dried, aged bark of this tree has been used continually for at least 1,000 years by both native and European settlers as a laxative natural medicine.Cinchona  Cinchona sp.  The bark of trees in this genus is the source of a variety of alkaloids, the most familiar of which is quinine, an anti-fever agent especially useful in treating malaria.  Native Americans used it for fever and chill, that may be associated with malaria.Juniper  Juniperus sp.  Juniper berries were used by American Indians as a herbal remedy for urinary tract infections as well as a female contraceptives.  Western tribes combined the berries of Juniperus communis with Barberis root bark in a herbal tea to treat diabetes.Willow  Salix sp.  Native Americans across the American continent relied on it as a staple of their medical treatments.  The leaves and bark of the willow tree contain salicylic acid, the precursor to aspirin.Dogwood  Cornus florida  Native Americans used dogwood bark for variety of illnesses.  A drink can be made from the bark, flowers and fruit to reduce fever and relieve chills.  It can also be used as a remedy for colic.Geranium  Geranium sp.  Geranium roots has astringent effects.  It was used to treat thrush, a contagious disease caused by a fungus, affects mostly infants and children.Ginseng  Panax quinquefolium  Ginseng root was used by native Americans for cramps, menstrual problems, headaches, and stroke.  It was taken as a tonic to increase mental powers, prevent shock, and a treatment for asthma and emphysema.Dogwood  Cornus florida  Native Americans used dogwood bark for variety of illnesses.  A drink can be made from the bark, flowers and fruit to reduce fever and relieve chills.  It can also be used as a remedy for colic.Ginseng  Panax quinquefolium  Ginseng root was used by native Americans for cramps, menstrual problems, headaches, and stroke.  It was taken as a tonic to increase mental powers, prevent shock, and a treatment for asthma and emphysema.Wormseed  Chenopodium ambrosioides  For centuries, the Maya of Central America used Wormseed to expel worms, and hence its name. Aztecs used the plant to treat asthma and dysentery.  The Catawaba peoples of the US used the plant for poultices to detoxify snake bites and other poisonings.White Hellebore  Veratrum viride  It is a highly toxic plant that was widely employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it mainly externally in the treatment of wounds and pain.Greek Valerian  Polemonium reptans  RANGE: Northeastern United States, south to Georgia and west to Minnesota and Oklahoma  Native Americans used the root for piles or hemorrhoids, to induce sweating and vomiting, to treat eczema (inflammation of the epidermis).Elderberry  Sambucus canadensis  Native North American tribes used it to treat a wide range of complaints like cold, consumption, headache, indigestion etc.  All parts of the elderberry plant are considered to be a valuable healing plant in many folk medicine traditions.Angelica  Angelica atropurpurea  Native to eastern North America.  Angelica was held in high esteem by Indians in Arkansas, who always carried it in their medicine bags and mixed it with tobacco for smoking.  Relieves menstrual discomfort, minimizes symptoms of menopause, treats colds and other respiratory problems, prevents arthritis and combats certain cancers.Witch Hazel  Hamamelis virginiana  Although eastern American Indians have used witch hazel to treat a variety of conditions, the Chippewa used it specifically to treat sore, inflamed, or infected eyes.  After colonists learned its importance from the Pipsissewa  Chimaphila umbellata  Close to a dozen native tribes are documented to have used Pipsissewa as medicine.  The use ranges from treating backache, sore eyes, gonorrhea, blisters, sore muscles, leg and foot swelling etc.  It is regarded as blood purifier and to aid internal healing. Indians, its use for healing spread to EuropeBalsam Fir  Abies balsamea  North American Indian tribes used it as an antiseptic healing agent applied externally to wounds, sores, bites etc.  It was used as an inhalant to treat headaches and was also taken internally to treat colds, sore throats and various other complaints.  Excellent for Christmas tree.Balsam Fir  Abies balsamea  North American Indian tribes used it as an antiseptic healing agent applied externally to wounds, sores, bites etc.  It was used as an inhalant to treat headaches and was also taken internally to treat colds, sore throats and various other complaints.  Excellent for Christmas tree.Arrow wood  Viburnum dentatum  The Ojibwa and Menominee Indians use the inner bark in a decoction for cramps.  Ojibwa also mix arrow wood and the bark of the alder (Alnus incana) in preparing a tea to drink to induce vomiting.Bloodroot  Sanguinaria canadensis  The red juice from the root was a very popular remedy among Plains Indians for sore throats, respiratory problems, and growths on the skin.  American Indians used the root for rheumatism, asthma, bronchitis, lung ailments, laryngitis and fevers.