[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Grape (Vitis vinifera)
Herbalists report that grape leaves are anti-inflammatory and astrin-
gent and can be taken for diarrhea, heavy menstrual bleeding, and as a
medicinal douche (Chevallier 2000). Grapes, when transformed into
raisins, juice, or wine, have also found some medical value. The PDR of
Herbal Medicines (1998) noted that grapes do have an anti-inflammatory
effect and may have value for blood circulation disorders. Other re-
searchers have found grapes to contain antioxidants and be of value to
the circulatory system (Peirce 1999). Works Project Administration re-
spondent Henry Lewis (Texas) reported the use of grape root for swollen
feet. Della Fountain (Oklahoma) mixed grape root with other herbs as a
blood treatment.
Grey Beard (Chionanthus virginicus)
Grey beard is also referred to as fringe tree, old man s beard, fringe tree,
poison ash, and snowflower, among others. Folk practitioners have used the
grey beard tree to treat jaundice, wounds, and liver or gallbladder condi-
tions (Fleming 2000). The efficacy of these treatments has not been estab-
lished, but the tree may have medical value as a diuretic, according to Flem-
ing. George Briggs (South Carolina) made a reference to grey beard leaves
as a treatment for chills. He stated, Me and Mr. Sexton made tea from
grance grey beard leaves to bust up chills. Then he added, It act and taste
jest like quinine.
98 Chapter 5
Hickory/Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra)
Hickory is a common tree in the South. Hickory nuts were a staple food
source for Native Americans. Modern herbalists and researchers typically do
not consider hickory as having value as medical treatment. However, ex-
slave Dulcinda Baker (Kentucky) recalled hickory bark being used in a tea
for unspecified medical purposes. Henry Brown (South Carolina) remem-
bered hickory leaves being used to generate perspiration.
Hops (Humulus lupulus)
Native Americans used hops for toothaches, as a sedative, for digestive
pains, and so on. (Weiner and Weiner 1994; Wichtl 2004). The PDR of
Herbal Medicines lists hops as a sedative and sleep inducting (Fleming
2000). According to modern research, the ingestion of preparations with
hops in some cases has been linked to hepatitis and claims of therapeutic
value have not been confirmed (Youngkin and Israel 1996). Hops have also
demonstrated some effectiveness in fighting tumors and in serving as a di-
gestive aide (Peirce 1999). Sarah Lousie Augustus (North Carolina) men-
tioned the use of hops as a treatment for rheumatism, though there is no
modern evidence of its efficacy in treating rheumatism.
Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)
Folk practitioners used horehound as an expectorant for respiratory prob-
lems (Weiner and Weiner 1994). It is an expectorant because it contains
marrubium. Horehound continues to be used today as a treatment for sore
throats and other illnesses (Heatherley 1998). Horehound is a popular folk
remedy as a tonic and laxative, and folk practitioners have used it to treat
bronchitis, respiratory infections, diarrhea, whooping cough, asthma, tu-
berculosis, jaundice, painful menstruation, skin damage, and other ailments
(Fleming 2000). It has been used for sore throats, asthma, and cough (Weiner
and Weiner 1994). Modern research has noted its ability to stimulate gas-
tric juice secretion (Fleming 2000). Horehound extracts are still found in
some cough drops. Modern research indicates it does function as an expec-
torant and cough suppressant (Peirce 1999).
Consistent with what modern research has found, slaves used horehound
as a favorite remedy for coughs and sore throats. Works Project Administra-
tion respondent R. C. Smith (Oklahoma) recalled using horehound to treat
his kidney ailments, I used to get a weed called hoarhound, it grows every-
where wild. Then he specified, I d make a tea and drink it and it would
cure the worst kind of kidney ailment. Sally Murphy (Alabama) recalled
using horehound as a treatment that is similar to contemporary use of hore-
hound, When any of us got sick, we was give horehound tea and rock
Slave Herbal and Plant Treatments 99
candy. She noted that, Sometimes effen dey wasn t looking and us got a
chance us spit it out. George Taylor (Alabama) mentioned an unspecified
use of horehound, I also members de ole time remedies dat dey used in
de ole days, Dey used red oak bark for fever an colds, an den dere was hore-
hound, an black snake root dat de ol Marster put whiskey on.
Horsemint (Monarda punctata)
Native Americans used horsemint for a variety of medical ailments. Con-
temporary authorities believe it reduces fevers, promotes menstruation, re-
lieves nausea, and has value for upper respiratory problems (Chevallier
2000). Slave folk practitioners used horsemint in teas for a variety of ail-
ments, such as sickness, swelling, and others. Carrie Davis (Alabama) re-
ferred to using horsemint but didn t specify a purpose, When us got sick
Mistus give horse-wint, life-everlasting, an holly tea, yessum.
Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)
Folk practitioners used the horseradish roots of the plant to treat a num-
ber of respiratory ailments, digestive problems, gout, influenza, and other
medical ailments. Horseradish has antibiotic properties and practitioners
have used it to treat infections of the urinary tract, cough, and bronchitis
(Fleming 1998). Chevallier (2000) reported that modern research supports
its efficacy as it is a diuretic, increases digestive secretions, promotes per-
spiration, and has a variety of other medical applications. Harriet Collins
(Texas) identified its roots being used as a poultice for headaches.
Indian Root or Indian Pink Root (worm grass) (Spigelia marilandica)
Fontenot (1994) found that the leaves of this plant were used to make tea
for worms. The narratives mention it as a treatment for yellow fever. Cecil
George (Louisiana) recalled:
I went out, got de grass, got some Indian root, put it on to boil, and I get some
whiskey. I say, For God s sake, I don t want to be killed; I give her de tea and
she don t sweat, so I cover her up. I go gets de guts out of a pumkin and boil
it with whiskey and give it to her and she sweat de fever out. Her clothes were
yaller, but wid God s help I got her on her feet. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl freetocraft.keep.pl
Grape (Vitis vinifera)
Herbalists report that grape leaves are anti-inflammatory and astrin-
gent and can be taken for diarrhea, heavy menstrual bleeding, and as a
medicinal douche (Chevallier 2000). Grapes, when transformed into
raisins, juice, or wine, have also found some medical value. The PDR of
Herbal Medicines (1998) noted that grapes do have an anti-inflammatory
effect and may have value for blood circulation disorders. Other re-
searchers have found grapes to contain antioxidants and be of value to
the circulatory system (Peirce 1999). Works Project Administration re-
spondent Henry Lewis (Texas) reported the use of grape root for swollen
feet. Della Fountain (Oklahoma) mixed grape root with other herbs as a
blood treatment.
Grey Beard (Chionanthus virginicus)
Grey beard is also referred to as fringe tree, old man s beard, fringe tree,
poison ash, and snowflower, among others. Folk practitioners have used the
grey beard tree to treat jaundice, wounds, and liver or gallbladder condi-
tions (Fleming 2000). The efficacy of these treatments has not been estab-
lished, but the tree may have medical value as a diuretic, according to Flem-
ing. George Briggs (South Carolina) made a reference to grey beard leaves
as a treatment for chills. He stated, Me and Mr. Sexton made tea from
grance grey beard leaves to bust up chills. Then he added, It act and taste
jest like quinine.
98 Chapter 5
Hickory/Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra)
Hickory is a common tree in the South. Hickory nuts were a staple food
source for Native Americans. Modern herbalists and researchers typically do
not consider hickory as having value as medical treatment. However, ex-
slave Dulcinda Baker (Kentucky) recalled hickory bark being used in a tea
for unspecified medical purposes. Henry Brown (South Carolina) remem-
bered hickory leaves being used to generate perspiration.
Hops (Humulus lupulus)
Native Americans used hops for toothaches, as a sedative, for digestive
pains, and so on. (Weiner and Weiner 1994; Wichtl 2004). The PDR of
Herbal Medicines lists hops as a sedative and sleep inducting (Fleming
2000). According to modern research, the ingestion of preparations with
hops in some cases has been linked to hepatitis and claims of therapeutic
value have not been confirmed (Youngkin and Israel 1996). Hops have also
demonstrated some effectiveness in fighting tumors and in serving as a di-
gestive aide (Peirce 1999). Sarah Lousie Augustus (North Carolina) men-
tioned the use of hops as a treatment for rheumatism, though there is no
modern evidence of its efficacy in treating rheumatism.
Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)
Folk practitioners used horehound as an expectorant for respiratory prob-
lems (Weiner and Weiner 1994). It is an expectorant because it contains
marrubium. Horehound continues to be used today as a treatment for sore
throats and other illnesses (Heatherley 1998). Horehound is a popular folk
remedy as a tonic and laxative, and folk practitioners have used it to treat
bronchitis, respiratory infections, diarrhea, whooping cough, asthma, tu-
berculosis, jaundice, painful menstruation, skin damage, and other ailments
(Fleming 2000). It has been used for sore throats, asthma, and cough (Weiner
and Weiner 1994). Modern research has noted its ability to stimulate gas-
tric juice secretion (Fleming 2000). Horehound extracts are still found in
some cough drops. Modern research indicates it does function as an expec-
torant and cough suppressant (Peirce 1999).
Consistent with what modern research has found, slaves used horehound
as a favorite remedy for coughs and sore throats. Works Project Administra-
tion respondent R. C. Smith (Oklahoma) recalled using horehound to treat
his kidney ailments, I used to get a weed called hoarhound, it grows every-
where wild. Then he specified, I d make a tea and drink it and it would
cure the worst kind of kidney ailment. Sally Murphy (Alabama) recalled
using horehound as a treatment that is similar to contemporary use of hore-
hound, When any of us got sick, we was give horehound tea and rock
Slave Herbal and Plant Treatments 99
candy. She noted that, Sometimes effen dey wasn t looking and us got a
chance us spit it out. George Taylor (Alabama) mentioned an unspecified
use of horehound, I also members de ole time remedies dat dey used in
de ole days, Dey used red oak bark for fever an colds, an den dere was hore-
hound, an black snake root dat de ol Marster put whiskey on.
Horsemint (Monarda punctata)
Native Americans used horsemint for a variety of medical ailments. Con-
temporary authorities believe it reduces fevers, promotes menstruation, re-
lieves nausea, and has value for upper respiratory problems (Chevallier
2000). Slave folk practitioners used horsemint in teas for a variety of ail-
ments, such as sickness, swelling, and others. Carrie Davis (Alabama) re-
ferred to using horsemint but didn t specify a purpose, When us got sick
Mistus give horse-wint, life-everlasting, an holly tea, yessum.
Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)
Folk practitioners used the horseradish roots of the plant to treat a num-
ber of respiratory ailments, digestive problems, gout, influenza, and other
medical ailments. Horseradish has antibiotic properties and practitioners
have used it to treat infections of the urinary tract, cough, and bronchitis
(Fleming 1998). Chevallier (2000) reported that modern research supports
its efficacy as it is a diuretic, increases digestive secretions, promotes per-
spiration, and has a variety of other medical applications. Harriet Collins
(Texas) identified its roots being used as a poultice for headaches.
Indian Root or Indian Pink Root (worm grass) (Spigelia marilandica)
Fontenot (1994) found that the leaves of this plant were used to make tea
for worms. The narratives mention it as a treatment for yellow fever. Cecil
George (Louisiana) recalled:
I went out, got de grass, got some Indian root, put it on to boil, and I get some
whiskey. I say, For God s sake, I don t want to be killed; I give her de tea and
she don t sweat, so I cover her up. I go gets de guts out of a pumkin and boil
it with whiskey and give it to her and she sweat de fever out. Her clothes were
yaller, but wid God s help I got her on her feet. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]