Herbal Gardens
1601 - Domestic Event
While some
North Carolinians gathered herbal remedies in the wild, many families
cultivated their own medicinal herb gardens. Almost all garden-grown herbs came
to this country with European immigrants. Today there are herbalists among all
cultures in our state.
The
following herbs have been home grown to treat common aches, pains and
illnesses. Unlike modern medicines, each type of herb was thought to relieve a
wide range of health problems. Remember of course that many of these herbs once
thought to be therapeutic are now known to be toxic.
Catnip (mint family) is still one of the most commonly used
domestic remedies, especially for children. People have reported using catnip
for colic, teething, hives, bronchitis, colds, diarrhea, fevers, chicken pox
and headaches. Many of these uses were recommended in early English medical
texts. Catnip contains chemicals that act as both a sedative and an astringent, or drying agent that shrinks
tissues.
Collards (mustard family) are part of the cabbage group, which was
applied to the skin in poultices as far back as 3rd century B.C.
Rome. More recently, physician and home remedy manuals have recommended cabbage
poultices for inflammations, swellings and sore eyes—even as a cure for a
hangover. Although cabbage is rarely used as medicine today, it offers great
nutritional value because of its rich concentration of fiber, vitamins and
minerals.
Comfrey (borage family), also called “boneknit,” has appeared in
medical literature since the Middle Ages. It was recommended for healing broken
bones, treating external wounds and clearing respiratory congestion and coughs.
Comfrey contains tannin, an astringent. In 1912 it was also discovered to
contain a substance that promotes tissue repair. Recent research suggests
long-term internal use may have toxic effects.
Horehound (mint
family) was popular among physicians until the 1800s as a treatment for coughs,
colds, sore throats and chronic asthma. It has also been used for stomach and
gall bladder disorders, jaundice and hepatitis and as a poultice for cuts and
wounds. Like several other herbal remedies, horehound contains tannins. It
still is recommended in popular literature as a remedy for chest complaints, but
little scientific research has been done to measure its effectiveness.
Horseradish (mustard family) was promoted by medical authors in the
1500s for babies with colic, for women after childbirth, and as an emetic, a substance to induce vomiting.
In the 1600s, physicians praised its diuretic
action (increasing the flow of urine) and ability to ease rheumatism. The plant
still enjoys a reputation in home use, including horseradish-root tea as a
remedy for bronchitis, coughs and dental plaque, as well as root poultices for
respiratory congestion and rheumatism.
Spearmint and peppermint (mint family) have a long history as
popular medicines. For thousands of years, people have taken them to relieve
flatulence, soothe lung ailments, and encourage menstruation and urination.
Introduced to America by early colonists, the mints were also used to treat
stomach ailments, headache, colic, insomnia and morning sickness.
Onion (lily family) has been used as food and medicine since ancient
times. In the 16th and 17th centuries, onion was believed
to promote urination and sometimes menstruation, counteract snake venom,
cleanse the stomach and excite the appetite. Its soothing qualities and
expectorant action made it good for coughs and colds. Onion is still used
domestically as a poultice for coughs and colds and taken internally for
epilepsy and diabetes. Lab studies suggest possible antibiotic and blood sugar-lowering effects.
Peach (rose family) was considered a medicine in its native China
but became primarily a domestic remedy in Europe and America. From the 1600s
through the 1800s, peach tree bark, kernels, leaves and flowers were used for
stomach, liver and skin complaints and to treat worms and wounds. Reports of
domestic uses in the 20th century include fever, headache, earache,
toothache, morning sickness and crick in the neck.
Pennyroyal (mint family) also treated a wide variety of ailments
through the 17th and 19th centuries: kidney stones,
indigestion, lung obstructions, colds and colic, as well as stimulating
menstruation and urination. Pennyroyal was known to induce abortion, although
its effectiveness was unreliable and it could even prove fatal.
Sage (mint family) was recognized as early as the 1100s as an
important healing herb and flavoring ingredient. In European medicine, it was
mainly associated with treating head ailments and calming the nerves. Sage was
also used for flatulence, fevers and preventing premature labor. Early
Americans found it effective for easing sore throats and inducing perspiration.
Tansy (aster family) was long employed in Europe as a flavoring and
occasionally as a medicine for stomach disorders, malnutrition, hysteria,
parasites and gout. Popular in colonial gardens, it was touted by medical authors
for promoting vitality, inducing menstruation and soothing nervous conditions.
It has even been rubbed on corpses as a preservative. Large doses of tansy oil
were used to induce abortion but could also prove fatal.
Families once grew their own “drugstores” in their yards to treat common ailments.