Folk Magic and Medicine from the Ozark Mountains
Mayapple, American Mandrake - Podophyllum peltatum Parts used: root, fruit Traditional uses: Poisonous. Root soaked in whiskey and taken for rheumatism and as a purgative. Boiled root eaten as a purgative. Powdered root used on ulcers and sores. Fruit used for food. “Podophyllum is a medicine of most extensive service; its greatest power lies in... Continue Reading →
Jimsonweed - Datura stramonium ***CAUTION! Poisonous!*** Parts used: flower, leaf Traditional uses: Poisonous. Poultice of wilted leaves used on boils and fresh wounds. Smoked for asthma. Poultice of decoction of leaves mash applied to the chest for pneumonia. Compound poultice with crushed seeds rubbed on sore throat. “Antispasmodic, anodyne and narcotic. Its properties are virtually... Continue Reading →
Dog hair for rabies – “‘A hair of the dog that bit you,’ in the Ozarks, does not mean simply a morning shot of whiskey to repair a hangover. People actually do swallow hair from a dog that has bitten them. I once knew a man who was in some doubt as to which of... Continue Reading →
Goldenseal - Hydrastis canadensis Parts used: root Traditional uses: Infusion used as wash for local inflammations and skin complaints. Generally alterative, anti-catarrhal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, bitter tonic, laxative, anti-diabetic and muscular stimulant. “The action is tonic, laxative, alterative and detergent. It is a valuable remedy in the disordered conditions of the digestion and has a... Continue Reading →
Elderberry, Elder - Sambucus nigra, S. canadensis Parts used: bark, leaf, flower, berry Traditional uses: Berries used in formulas against chills and cold. Helps support the immune system. Infusion of berry used internally for rheumatism. Flower infusion used as a febrifuge and to sweat out a cold. Leaf infusion used to wash sores and prevent... Continue Reading →
Dandelion - Taraxacum sp. Parts used: root, leaf, flower Traditional uses: Greens eaten. Poultice of steamed or wilted leaves applied to indolent ulcers. Greens eaten to purify the blood. Decoction of roots taken for stomach pain. Infusion of root used for blood. Infusion of herb used to calm nerves. “Diuretic, tonic and slightly aperient. It... Continue Reading →
Catnip - Nepeta cataria Parts used: leaf, flower Traditional uses: Infusion used for female obstructions. Infusion used for worms. Infusion used for spasms. Syrup with honey used for colds and infusion used for babies' colds. Syrup with honey used for coughs. Infusion taken for hives and poultice of leaf used for boils and swellings. Infusion... Continue Reading →
Poultice to cure a cold – “…the only way to cure such a cold was to apply a poultice of lard, camphor, turpentine, and fried onions.” ~Randolph OMF 94 Worn to protect from meningitis – “Small boys are sometimes forced to wear little bags of camphor sewed to their shirts, to prevent their catching meningitis... Continue Reading →
Black Pepper - Piper nigrum Parts used: seed Traditional uses: Used as an astringent, stimulant, and to season food. “Aromatic, stimulant, carminative; is said to possess febrifuge properties. Its action as a stimulant is specially evident on the mucous membrane of the rectum, and so is good for constipation, also on the urinary organs; externally... Continue Reading →
