American Herbs
July 4th is American Independence Day, the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which was subsequently delivered to King George III and rather poorly received. Anyway, in celebration of one of history’s great “Oh, no you won’t!” “Oh, yes we will!” “Oh, no you won’t!” etc. moments, here is a wee bit on some of the herbal remedies that have come from the old country.
Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia) is a comely purple-flowered member of the daisy family, native to the midwestern prairies. Known as rattlesnake root by Native Americans, Echinacea is generally used for minor infections nowadays - colds and flu mostly - but back in the day it was used for blood poisoning and tissue death associated with rattlesnake bites and similar horrific afflictions. I use it for virulent, nasty, deep-rooted, or stubborn infections. It works well for lingering chest infections too, the kind that just won’t go away.
Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), that mainstay of natural menopause treatment, also hails from the US. The plant is well known as a hormonal balancing agent for the change of life, but its use goes well beyond that. The herb is helpful for muscle and joint pains, lumbago, and menstrual pain. It also has has a calming and relaxing influence, and was included in old time Nerve Tonics and the like for its soothing effects on the nerves of the pelvic area- including reproductive organs and water works - and the mind.
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) is another American herb, a somewhat underused remedy for colds and flus, especially with body aches as a symptom. The name allegedly comes from its curative prowess concerning a particularly nasty 19th century influenza, whose main symptom was wracking bone pains. It still works very well to reduce the severity of those unpleasant winter ailments, and I usually put it in cold and flu tea. It is also very helpful as part of a femoral for Lyme Disease, as it helps to maintain collagen in joints, which can be compromised by Lyme.
Oregon Grape (Berberis mahonia) is a common British garden plant, but is also an indispensable medicine. It shines when used for allergic and inflammatory skin complaints, especially where there are other signs of liver stress, such as poor digestion, piles or haemorrhoids, constipation, and general sluggishness. The plant itself is not a looker, with large, spiny, vaguely frond-like leaves, but the yellow flowers more than make up for it. They appear in late winter when you can scarcely believe anything would yet be in flower, and the edible grape-purple berries are ready by about midsummer, earlier than most other fruits.
There are a great many other naturalised herbs that followed European settlers across the continent, including Plantain (Plantago lanceolata or P.major), Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica), Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), Burdock (Arctium lappa), Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), and Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), that were adopted by native healers and can, despite not being original features, be properly considered American remedies.
Now get back to your barbecues and enjoy the fireworks. Happy 4th!