Combating Coughs: The Respiratory Remedies across North America
No matter where in the world or what time period, a cough remains one of the most common, annoying, and recurrent inflictions. There is vast biodiversity across North America, and various different Native American tribes utilized plants native to their area to treat respiratory issues. Throughout history and continuing today, bioprospecting and Materia Medica have played key roles in alleviating the symptoms of cough, particularly in Native American populations. While the plants are all in different families, they share similar properties and are used to tackle issues that people across the continent face. Each plant, from the Prunus virginiana to the Eriodictyon crassifolium Benth to the Rhus ovata, displays distinct physical characteristics and belong to different genuses, but the flowering properties and medicinal uses for the plants bring them together and makes up the common theme throughout this project. As we navigate through the pages, we will come across the technical methods used to collect the different specimens, an analysis of their key physical features, and a deep dive into the ways each plant has been used uniquely to treat cough.
Rhus ovata
The Rhus ovata, commonly known as sugarbush, is a small bush or tree native to Southern California and Arizona. Ranging from 2 to 10 meters tall, the Rhus ovata is most adapted to grow in foothills and mountains. The plant is stalky, and often wider than it is tall. The branches are thick and reddish in color. The foliage consists of dark green, leathery, ovate leaves folded along the midrib. The plant's flowers can be found on the ends of its branches and contain 5 petals. The fruit is thought to be edible and when ripe is reddish and sticky. Rhus ovata has known medicinal uses in its historic ability to treat colds, coughs and chest pains. Commonly practiced by Europeans and Native Americans, the Rhus ovata leaves were infused into a beverage consumed by patients. Other sources note that Rhus ovata was useful in treating pain during childbirth. Caution, however, is necessary when preparing this lemonade-like medicinal concoction as over consumption of Rhus ovata leaves and fruit can be toxic.
Prunus virginiana
The Prunus virginiana is a small tree or shrub, recognizable by its fruits and clusters of white flowers. The Prunus virginiana, as well as other members of the Prunus genus, all produce cherry fruits of various sizes and edible ability. Most cherries contain small amounts of hydrocyanic acid in the pits and leaves, which, while dangerous, can be used in miniscule doses to relieve respiratory pressure and pain. The Prunus virginiana is found mostly in the Northern U.S. and Canada. Historically, it was commonly used by plains tribes like the Cherokee, the Blackfoot, and the Sioux in their diets, medicines, and rituals. While the fruit of the plant is naturally unpleasantly bitter, it can be sweetened via drying or boiling, and in this way was prepared and eaten commonly in many Native American tribes.
To treat respiratory issues and loosen congestion, a tonic can be made from the boiled bark. It also combated fever, making it a staple remedy among the plains pioneers as well. The chokecherry was so prized for its uses that it was cultivated and replanted to ensure a stable supply.
Eriodictyon crassifolium Benth
The Eriodictyon crassifolium Benth, or commonly known as the Yerba Santa, is part of the Boraginaceae plant family and is commonly found in Southern California around the Santa Monica Mountains. It favors the Mediterranean climate, as it is best grown in dry, hot summers and mild, wet winters. They are often characterized by its narrow, thick leaves that are abundant throughout the plant, with densely, funnel-shaped lavender leaves that are spaced out on the tips of the plant. Traditionally, this plant has been known for its medicinal properties to treat common respiratory illnesses. With flavonoid sterubin as its main active ingredient, the Eriodictyon crassifolium Benth can be boiled and turned into a tea or syrup as a way to improve respiratory breathing, coughs, and fevers. Other medicinal uses to ease pain include chewing the roots or rubbing the leaves on any injury of the skin. Some Eriodictyon crassifolium Benth may also contain eriodictyol in its ingredients, which may have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties. Historically, Native American tribes have used the Yerba Santa to treat lung conditions and stop any minor bleeding throughout the 1800s to 1960s. The distinctive physical features and wide array of medicinal properties of the Eriodictyon crassifolium Benth gives us a better glimpse of the value of materia medica as a potential treatment in many human diseases.
The three plants detailed above, though distinct in habitat, size, and genus, all share a common purpose of being used across North America as food and medicine. All kinds of Native American tribes, as well as settlers and pioneers, recognized these plants for their versatility and usefulness, and integrated them into their diets and remedies.