Native American Contributions to the Modern Healing Culture

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Native Americans have contributed many drugs now used in healing our society. The North American and South American Native People brought more than 200 drugs to the modern healing culture.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Man's early medicine was a mixture of fact, folklore and superstition...at times, a little trial and error.Yellow plants were good for jaundice.
Red ones, of course, for the blood.
If leaves looked similar to the liver,they were used to treat liver ailments.
If a plant or a brew smelled bad or tastedworse, it must be good for you!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The American Indians did not just learn by trail and error. They would watch the animals for knowledge and guidance. If an animal got a rash from a plant, they might observe the animal rolling in another plant for comfort.We will often see this type of behavior in coyotes, wolves or domesticated dogs. If they have an upset stomach, they may chew grass for the chlorophyl.The secret has always been to use what's available.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Native Americans knew how to set fractures.
They had vast knowledge of anesthetics and antiseptics.
Indians are also active inventors. They developed syringes and the surgical use for rubber and cotton.* * * * * * * * * *
Aspirin, pain killers, muscle relaxant, cure for scurvy, the cure for malaria, and more remedies that are used today, were in fact used by the Indian people many centuries ago and prior to Western Civilization.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When the early European Settler's first came to the New World, they didn't trust any remedies of the people they thought were savages. They called the Indians heathens and complained that their remedies weren't clean, "you can't use that, it's not right"...and, theIndians were labeled pagans. So, they brought many of their own herbs and plants with them.
Slowly, the settlers found that the healing remedies available in this New World worked as well or better than their own. Not long after, Indian medicine, white man's medicine, and then combinations of both were being used.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Creator, responsible for the creation of the world and all that is contained within, is honored for the knowledge given, in Native American religious ritual and prayer. Given to the Indians was a broad range of healing philosophies, approaches, and therapies.
Herbal medicine utilized plants and plant products from folk medicine traditions for pharmacological use. Many drugs in use today are originally herbal medicines.
Native Americans practiced Holistic healing therapies on the whole person, which included the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects.
Holistic healing is a 24 hour application of mind, body, and emotion . . . the Medicine Man takes those three dimensions and applies them in his practice.* * * * * * * * * *
Native Americans pioneered holistic healing.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The time came when man started using synthesized drugs and derivatives. But, the medical culture was drawn back to what has been there all along; and, what Indian people knew, and still know, and utilize today.* * * * * * * * * *
We used to use roots, barks, berries, and herbs; now, we find we're going back to what it was...the basics.* * * * * * *