MEDICAL PLANTS OF THE CIVIL WAR

The black raspberry is one of the many plants that helped cure diseases during the Civil War. The black raspberry cures dysentery and is used as a general tonic and astringent. The Cardinal Flower is used to cure typhoid fever. The Common Nightshade is poisonous. Nightshade cures intense digestive disorders and problems in the nervous system. Foxglove cures cardiac problems. Digitalis is a component of Foxglove. Fleabane fights respiratory distress, internal injuries and bruises. Today it is used in cough syrups. Flowering Dogwood is an astringent to stop bleeding, substitute to quinine to treat malaria. Indiana Hemp curs occasional and recurring fevers, Amenorrhoea, Leukorrhea and other female complaints. Jack-in-the-pulpit reduces swelling from rattlesnake bites. Jimsonweed reduces swelling from mosquito bites and is a narcotic used to treat asthma. Mayapple is used to relieve summer diarrhea for mental conditions, rheumatism and liver ailments. The Redbud cures dysentery. Sassafras cures diaphoretic (increases sweating) and is used to lower temperature. Skunk Cabbage is used to cure respiratory sedative; used in acute asthma attacks. Staghorn sumac is poisonous. It is an astringent. Trout Lilly relieves the hiccups, vomiting and hematuria. Verbena cures vomiting, and digestive disorders. The last plant I researched was the violet. It is used to cure skin diseases.

By: Laura Black

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