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Dutchman’s Breeches: Medicinal & Cautions

November 26, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Dutchman’s Breeches, Dicentra cucullaria, a native plant that is potentially poisonous. It was used as a strengthener for long distance runners by the Iroquois and considered powerful love medicine by the Menominee. Western medicine claims that a root tea is diuretic, and it will induce sweating. You can find this plant in early spring in rich woods and it has a close look-a-like known as Squirrel Corn, Dicentra canadensis. Sorry it is not known for its edibility but it’s still a cool plant to admire.

Keep your eyes and ear open and your powder dry!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dutchman’s Breeches Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software. Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 1. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 610-611

Foster, Steven and James A. Duke. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America. 2nd. ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000. Print. pg. 16-17

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 129

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 199

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 34-35

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Bloodroot: Poison, Medicinal & Other Uses

November 18, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis, a plant that bleeds when you cut it’s root. It is a toxic plant that when ingested can cause tunnel vision, nausea and death. I forgot to mention above that the Abnaki Indians used this plant as an abortifacient. But when used sparingly it does have many medicinal benefits such as: relieving stomach cramps, reducing fever, helps sore throats, colds and rheumatism. Externally it has been used for cuts, infections, eczema, warts, ringworm, burns and more.

Bloodroot Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software. Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 2. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 1708-1714

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 26

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 127-129

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 515-517

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 364-365

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Common Chickweed: Edible & Medicinal

October 9, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Common Chickweed, Stellaria media, is a highly nutritious common plant that many overlook as an invasive garden weed. You can eat it raw, add it to salads or boil and serve it like greens. Medicinally, this is an excellent plant for ulcers, cuts and skin conditions. It can be used as a poultice or made into an ointment and applied to the affected area.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry!

Common Chickweed Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software. Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Brill, Steve. Wild Edibles Plus. Computer Software. WinterRoot LLC. Version 1.5. 2012. Web. Feb. 15, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 2. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 1834-1835

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 144

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 543

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 274-275

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 34-35

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Field Chamomile: Medicinal & Cautions

October 7, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Field Chamomile, Anthemis arvensis, is very similar looking to German Chamomile but it lacks the pineapple scent and flavor but it does still have similar medicinal properties. This plant may both cause allergic reactions and cure them. The flowers can be made into a tea and used for a variety of ailments such as: colds, colic, fever, flu, headaches, diarrhea and insomnia (which I suffer from regularly). The oil is antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-allergenic.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry!

Field Chamomile Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software. Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 1. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 211-212

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 380-381

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

One-Seeded Bur Cucumber: Medicinal & Cautions

October 5, 2015 by Mike 1 Comment

One-Seeded Bur Cucumber, Sicyos angulatus, is a medicinal plant with questionable edibility. Medicinally, it was used for venereal disease in women and used as a veterinary aid for the difficult delivery of a calf. As for its edibility there is no historic evidence of any American Indians using this plant for food. If you have evidence contrary to this or have used it for food please contact me and let me know.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry!

One-Seeded Bur Cucumber Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software. Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 102, 150

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 530

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 328-329

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

White Snakeroot: Poison & Medicinal

October 2, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

White Snakeroot, Ageratina altissima or Eupatorium rugosum, is a poisonous plant responsible for causing the death of thousands of people in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. The illness was called milk sickness brought on by cattle eating the white snakeroot plant. An un-named Shawnee woman is responsible for explaining the plants properties to Anna Pierce Hobbs Bixby who is credited for identifying the cause of this illness. Medicinally, the plant has been used as a stimulant, tonic, diuretic and febrifuge amongst other things including witchcraft leading to a males member “rotting from the inside,” ouch!

White Snakeroot Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software. Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 56

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 232-233

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 54

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 436-437

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Pink Knotweed: Medicinal & Cautions

September 30, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Pink Knotweed, Polygonum pensylvanicum, is a medicinal plant of late summer and fall. Although it looks like it’s cousin Lady’s Thumb this particular member of the Polygonum family is not known for it edibility. Medicinally, it was used for epilepsy, hemorrhage of the mouth, postpartum healing and as a hemorrhoid remedy.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry!

Pink Knotweed Sources:

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 2. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 1533-1534

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 145

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 424

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 192-193

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Common Plantain: Edible, Medicinal & Other Uses

September 17, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Common Plantain, Plantago Major, this is the plant that started this project. It was the first plant that I was taught how to use and I am dedicating this post to Val the woman who taught me. Val, wherever you are out there I hope you come across this. Meeting you, even for that brief encounter, has had a great influence on me. Even if I wanted to tell the story I would have to write it as though it was fiction knowing the vast majority of people wouldn’t understand or believe it.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry!

Common Plantain Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software. Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Brill, Steve. Wild Edibles Plus. Computer Software. WinterRoot LLC. Version 1.5. 2012. Web. Feb. 15, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 2. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 1514-1516

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 50

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 210-211

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 416-417

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 398-399

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 46-47

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Wild Balsam Apple: Medicinal, Cautions & Other Uses

September 14, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Wild Balsam Apple, Echinocystis lobata, is a medicinal vine that can be misidentified as grapes due to similar leaves. The fruit resembles and smells like a cucumber but can cause vomiting and diarrhea. It was used by American Indians for rheumatism, chills, fever, headache, obstructed menstruation, kidney ailments, stomach troubles, as a tonic and panacea (cure-all). The seeds were used to make beads for jewelry.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry!

Wild Balsam Apple Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software.Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 40

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 207

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 356-357

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.

Indian Hemp: Poison, Medicinal & Other Uses

September 10, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Indian Hemp, Apocynum cannabinum, is a poisonous plant with a few medicinal properties but its other uses can be worth the plants weight in gold in a survival situation. Medicinally it has been used to cause vomiting, expel parasites, as birth control and to treat venereal disease. Because of the strength of its fibers this plant has been an essential tool for American Indians to make rope, cordage, clothing, baskets, containers, mats, rugs, bedding, bowstrings, nets, snares and horse bridles.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your powder dry!

Indian Hemp Sources:

Audubon Guides Box Set – Birds, Tree, Wildflowers & Mammals. Computer Software.Green Mountain Digital. Version: 2.3. Web. Jul 10, 2014.

Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. King’s American Dispensatory, Vol. 1. Cincinnati: The Ohio Valley Company, 1905. pg. 225-228

Hamel, Paul B. and Mary U. Chiltoskey. Cherokee Plants and Their Uses- A 400 Year History. North Carolina: Herald Publishing. 1975. Print. pg. 38

Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. Ph.D. Thesis, New York: State University of New York, Albany 1977. Print. pg. 198

Moerman Daniel E., Native American Ethnobotany, Portland: Timber Press. 1998. Print. pg. 78-79

Newcomb, Lawrence. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1977. Print. pg. 250-251

Peterson, Lee Allen. The Peterson Field Guide Series; A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants; Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1977. Print. pg. 48-49

United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Services. Web.