Native American Medicinal Uses
These Native American Medicinal uses were developed by Dan Moerman at the University of Michigan. Although I have updated the nomenclature used in his 1986 publication Medicinal Plants of Native America, 2 volumes, the data are largely those published by him, and I am grateful for his permission to include them within the TDC.
Abortifacient This category was defined broadly to include explicit references to the induction of abortion as well as agents said to "alleviate suppressed menses," to "emmenagogues," and the like.
Adjuvant A substance combined with another drug to enhance or improve its action; sometimes called a "seasoner." This category is also used for anything technically a "pharmaceutical aid", that is, anything designed to enhance the usability of a drug-a flavoring, a medium, a coloring.
Alterative A medicine that "alters the processes of nutrition and excretion" in restoring the normal body functions. This category was only used when the source explicitly used the term.
Analgesic A drug that relieves pain. Aspirin is an analgesic.
Anesthetic A drug that reduces the sense of touch or pain. Novocain is an anesthetic.
Anthelmintic A drug to treat intestinal parasites or worms. Also called a vermifuge.
Anticonvulsive A drug that prevents involuntary contractions or spasms of the muscles.
Antidiarrheal A drug that prevents looseness of the bowel.
Antidote Anything used to counteract a poison; an example of a subcategory of this would be snakebite remedy. The more restricted category was used when it applied.
Antiemetic A drug that inhibits vomiting.
Antihemorrhagic A drug that is used to stop internal bleeding or "spitting blood". See Hemostat.
Antirheumatic-external A drug applied externally to prevent or reduce pain associated with joint inflammation or stiffness.
Antirheumatic-internal A drug taken internally to prevent or reduce the pain associated with joint inflammation or stiffness.
Blood medicine A drug used for cleaning or enhancing the purity of blood.
Breast treatment A drug used to aid in the treatment of breast ailments.
Burn dressing A drug used to reduce the pain or effects of burns.
Cancer treatment This category was used only if the source said that the substance was used to treat "cancer" or "tumors."
Carminative A drug that relieves flatulence ("gas"). "Simethicone" is a carminative.
Cathartic A drug that causes evacuation of the bowels, a strong laxative.
Ceremonial medicine Medicines said to be used in "ceremonial" fashion: "used as a ceremonial eyewash."
Cold remedy A drug used to reduce the symptoms associated with the common cold.
Contraceptive A drug used for the intentional prevention of fertilization of an ovum.
Cough medicine A drug used to reduce the frequency and intensity of coughing.
Dermatological aid A drug used to treat skin problems such as acne, itching, dandruff, etc.
Diaphoretic A drug that causes sweating.
Dietary aid Anything used to influence appetite: an "appetizer" or its opposite. "Diet pills" would be dietary aids.
Disinfectant A rather broad category for "disinfecting", "fumigating", and "sterilizing"; this category is generally Western (and modern) in concept. It was also used for a more metaphorical kind of sterilizing, i.e., for "getting rid of ghosts or spirits from the sickroom."
Diuretic A drug that causes urination.
Ear medicine A derivative used to reduce the pain associated with ear infections.
Emetic A drug that causes vomiting.
Expectorant A drug that promotes the ejection of mucous from the lungs by spitting.
Eye medicine Any derivative used to reduce infections of eyes or to lubricate the eyes.
Febrifuge A drug to reduce fever. Aspirin is a febrifuge.
Gastrointestinal aid A medicine used to assist with stomach aches or intestinal discomfort.
Gynecological aid A medicine used for general "female problems" associated with menstruation or childbirth that did not fit into a more specific category, e.g., Abortifacient, Breast treatment, Contraceptive.
Heart medicine A medicine used to assist with the treatment of heart conditions or problems.
Hemorrhoid remedy Used for any drug said to be for hemorrhoids or "piles."
Hemostat Used for substances said to stop bleeding. Most hemostats are said to be for "nosebleed" or for "hemorrhage of the nose." This category was not used for internal hemorrhage or for "spitting blood," but only for external bleeding (including the nose).
Herbal steam For substances used "in the sweat lodge" or in steam.
Hunting medicine Medicine designed to enhance good fortune in hunting, fishing, selling baskets, etc.
Hypotensive Medicine used to treat low blood pressure.
Kidney aid Medicine said to aid the kidneys. Used for all references to "dropsy." See also Urinary aid, Diuretic.
Laxative See Cathartic.
Liver aid Drugs said to be for the "liver" or "gall bladder," including "gall stones."
Love medicine Medicine used to enhance an individual’s abilities in matters of the heart.
Nose medicine For generally unspecified treatment of the nose: "Crumbled leaves used as snuff for nose trouble."
Oral aid Any derivative used for various mouth sores and other problems.
Orthopedic aid Drugs used to treat broken bones, sprains, etc.
Panacea A cure-all. A drug for all diseases.
Pediatric aid Medicine specifically indicated for use with children. Such items are generally listed twice, once in this category, and once in the specific category. Hence, an agent said to be used "for children’s colds" was classed both as a Cold remedy and a Pediatric aid.
Psychological aid Drug for any psychological problem’ for people who are "crazy," "depressed," etc.
Pulmonary aid Drug for lung problems. See Expectorant.
Reproductive aid Any derivative used to assist with problems associated with reproductive systems.
Respiratory aid Drug said to be for upper respiratory problems. Generally, these were classed as Cold remedy, but if the source indicated that the treatment was for "catarrh," "asthma," or the like, this was used.
Sedative A drug that reduces excitement or upset. A downer. Also see Narcotic plants.
Snake bite remedy Medicine used to counteract the affects of snake bites.
Stimulant Drug that stimulates or wakes you up. An upper. Coffee is a stimulant.
Strengthener Any derivative used to provide nutrition and to increase energy level.
Throat aid Any derivative used to treat throat conditions.
Tonic A solution used to produce or tending to produce good muscle tone and mental invigoration.
Toothache remedy Medicine used to eliminate or reduce the pain associated with tooth-aches.
Tuberculosis remedy For treatment specifically said to be for "tuberculosis," "consumption," "scrofula," or other manifestations of tuberculosis.
Urinary aid Drug used in treatment of problems of the urinary tract. See Diuretic.
Venereal aid Drug used in treatment of any venereal disease (syphilis, gonorrhea, etc.).
Veterinary aid Medicine used in treatment of a variety of ailments of animals.
Witchcraft medicine Any derivative used in the practice of witchcraft. |