Ringworm

Red Birch

The Catawba Indians prepared a salve of red birch by boiling the buds of this tree until they were thick and pasty and then adding sulphur. This salve was applied externally to skin sores and ringworm.

An oil derived from a related species of birch is used as a medicine to kill parasites and as an antiseptic lotion for skin diseases.

Poison Ivy

To cure ringworm the Indians of southern California applied a mash of poison ivy leaves. Some tribes used this plant to promote the suppuration of swellings.

Although this plant causes a well-known skin irritation, it was first used as a medicine in Europe precisely for an opposite effect. A man who accidently came in contact with the leaves and cured himself of a herpes infection on his wrist, one that he had lived with for six years, reported his marvel to a physician, Dr. Fresnoy. The plant was soon adopted in general practice to treat difficult herpes infections.

Mulberry

The Rappahannocks of Virginia applied the milky latex of the axis of the leaves of red mulberry to the scalp to cure ringworm. In Europe the root bark was boiled in water and the strained decoction taken to kill tapeworms. All the species of mulberry have been used for their laxative properties.

Aside from bloodroot, which was used by the Iroquois to treat ringworm, the only other plant listed as a specific Indian botanical for this infection is the tall milkweed. The milky latex was rubbed on by the Rappahannocks of Virginia. Other plants that were used to cure ringworm will be found in "Skin Problems."