Iroquois ethnobotany
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- Allium tricoccum, decoction is used to treat worms in children, and they also use the decoction as a spring tonic to "clean you out".[2] Also eaten as a part of traditional cuisine.[3]
Asteraceae (Aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower family)
- Cichorium intybus, decoction of the roots is used as a wash and applied as a poultice to chancres and fever sores.[4]
- Solidago rugosa, whole plant used for biliousness and as liver medicine, and decoction of its flowers and leaves for dizziness, weakness or sunstroke.[5]
- Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, is used in a decoction for weak skin, use a decoction of the roots and leaves for fevers, use the plant as a "love medicine",[6] and use an infusion of whole plant and rhizomes from another plant to treat mothers with intestinal fevers.[7]: p.65
Brassicaceae (Mustards, Crucifers, or Cabbage family)
- Cardamine diphylla, infusion of the whole plant taken to strengthen the breasts.[8] The Iroquois also chew the raw root for stomach gas, apply a poultice of roots to swellings, take a cold infusion of the plant for fever and for "summer complaint, drink a cold infusion of the roots for "when love is too strong", and use an infusion of the roots when "heart jumps and the head goes wrong."[9] They also use a compound for chest pains.[10] They also take an infusion of the plant at the beginning of tuberculosis.[8] They also eat the roots raw with salt or boiled.[11]
Cyperaceae (Sedge family)
- Carex oligosperma, a compound decoction of the plant as an emetic before running or playing lacrosse.[12]
Ericaceae (Heath or Heather family)
- Epigaea repens, a compound is used for labor pains in parturition, compound decoction used for rheumatism, decoction of the leaves taken for indigestion, and a decoction of the whole plant or roots, stalks and leaves taken for the kidneys.[13]
Fabaceae (Legume, pea, or bean family)
- Apios americana, consumed as food.[14]
- Senna hebecarpa, plant used as a worm remedy and take a compound decoction as a laxative.[15]
Grossulariaceae
- Ribes triste, fruit mashed, made them into small cakes, and stored them for future use. They later soak the fruit cakes in warm water and cook them a sauce or mix them with corn bread. They also sun dry or fire dry the raw or cooked fruit for future use and take the dried fruit with them as a hunting food.[16]
Lamiaceae (Mint, deadnettle, or sage family)
- Agastache nepetoides, compound infusion of plants used as a wash for poison ivy and itch.[17]
Onoclea (Sensitive Fern)
- Onoclea sensibilis, used in both oral and topical forms, a decoction extensively applied for women's issues (to initiate menses, fertility, pain and strength after childbirth and stimulating milk flow), for early tuberculosis, treating baldness, as a gastrointestinal aid for swelling and cramps, for arthritis and infection.[18][19][20] A poultice of the top leaves was used for deep cuts and infection.[18] A cold compound infusion of the entire fern plant was washed on sores and taken for venereal disease, e.g. gonorrhea.[21]
Osmundaceae (Royal fern family)
- Osmunda claytoniana, used for blood and venereal diseases.[22]
Papaveraceae (Poppy family)
- Chelidonium majus, infusion mixed with another plant and milk given to pigs that drool and have sudden movements.[7]: p.45
Pinaceae
- Abies balsamea, steam from a decoction of branches used as a bath for rheumatism and parturition, and ingest a decoction of the plant for rheumatism. They take a compound decoction for colds and coughs, sometimes mixing it with alcohol. They apply a compound decoction of the plant for cuts, sprains, bruises and sores, and use steam.[23] They apply a poultice of the gum and dried beaver kidneys for cancer.[24] They also take a compound decoction in the early stages of tuberculosis, and they use the plant for bedwetting and gonorrhea.[25]
- Pinus rigida, pitch used to treat rheumatism, burns, cuts, and boils. Pitch also used as a laxative. A pitch pine poultice used to open boils and to treat abscesses.[26]