Skin Problems

   Rashes and itching may be external manifestations of internal disorders. The American Indian treated these external disorders with many plants; a few of these, representing a wide geographical range, are listed below. The reader is also directed to specific categories of Indian treatment, as "Blisters," "Poison Ivy and Poison Oak," and "Boils." Although skin cancer and athlete's foot may not technically be considered skin problems, they are grouped in this category for convenience.

Wild Bergamot:

   To dry up pimples the Winnebagos used the oil collected by boiling the leaves of wild bergamot. The Blackfoot Indians applied the boiled leaves directly on the pimples.

Western Virgin's-Bower:

   The Thompson Indians of British Columbia used a weak infusion of the whole western virgin's-bower as an external rinse for eczema and scabs. Also known as white clematis or traveler's joy, this climbing vine often chooses fences for support and bears numerous small white flowers, which are soon replaced by downy bunches of glistening fleece. This spectacle is beautiful to see, hence the name traveler's joy.

Wooly Groundsel:

   The Hopis applied pulverized wooly groundsel leaves to pimples. The Zuñi treated aching bones with a wash made by steeping the pulverized roots of this plant. It is abundant in grassland areas, often growing where buffalo grass is found.

Yellow Nut Grass:

   The Paiute Indians pounded the tubers of the perennial yellow nut grass together with tobacco leaves and applied the mass in a wet dressing to treat athlete's foot. This species is found in moist fields from southern Canada to Flordia and Texas and also on the Pacific coast where it grows north to Alaska.

New Jersey Tea:

   During the American Revolution, the low shrub New Jersey Tea was one of the main substitutes for Oriental tea and was in great demand. Since the plant does not contain caffeine, it was useless to some people but lauded by others. The Cherokee Indians used it as a wash for skin cancer and veneral sores. This plant is not geographically limited to the state of New Jersey. It is prevalent in dry, open woods from Manitoba to Maine, south to the Gulf of Mexico.

Western Wallflower:

   To prevent sunburn the Zuñis applied the western wallflower ground and mixed with water. Generally, the Indians anointed themselves with the fats of various mammals and birds or fish oils to shield their skin from the sun's rays, but this plant application is one recorded exception. In Greek, Erysimum, the genus name, means "to draw blisters."

   Many plants were employed to treat the itch; in California the Pomo boiled the bark of the willow common to their environment ( Salix lasiolepis) and employed the liquid as a wash; the Potawatomis used a similiar preparation but from the bark of the speckled alder; the Meskwakis similarly utilized white ash bark; and the Alabamas boiled the inner bark of the prickly ash.