Oak Tree
Direction
East
Quercus alba and other species
The inner bark of ge ga a ta u (or e qua, gu le, for "acorn") was used in a formula with other tree barks as a wash for sores and itching skin. It is also used as an astringent, due to its tannin content, and as a natural antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial. Oak was used along with locust, redbud, and plum to make the sacred fire. The inner bark on the east side of the tree was used for ceremonial purposes, along with the white oak, black oak, basswood, and chestnut. The inner bark of black oak and yellowroot were used to make a dye. Black or yellow oak (Q. velutina) was used as an East Medicine for birthing, with chestnut or rock chestnut oak (Q. prinus). The latter was also used to tan leather.
As members of the Beech family, other oaks were used not for their medicinal value but for making sacred fires. These included post oak (Q. stellata), red oak (Q. rubra), Black Jack oak (Q. marilandica). Today oak is used for treating vaginal problems, to harden nipples for breastfeeding, and for treating bacterial and viral infections.
Direction
South
Quercus alba and other species
The inner bark of white oak was used for treating burns and skin sores and soothing inflammation. Oak splits are used with river cane for making baskets. Chestnut or rock chestnut oak (Q. prinus) and black or yellow oak (Q. velutina) contain high levels of tannins, which made them useful in the tanning of leather. They are members of the Oak family.
Direction
West
Quercus alba and other species
A juice from the inner bark of the oak tree was used for treating hemorrhoids and rectal bleeding and diarrhea. Oak was also valued as a general antiseptic and was used to fight bacterial infections in several formulas, including use for severe diarrhea and kidney and bladder problems. Today it is a popular antiseptic as well as an agent to fight bacterial and viral infections and diarrhea. The corn beater, or ka no nah, was made of oak in earlier years. Oak, or a da ya hi, was one of the council-fire woods used in earlier years for tribal gatherings. Other names of oak include white, chinkapin, Black Jack, red, chestnut, black, and post oak; all are members of the Beech family.
Direction
North
Quercus velutina and Q. prinus
The inner bark of oak tree was used in a formula for treating fevers, bronchitis, and coughs. As Mary Chiltoskey said, the mortar, or ka no na in Cherokee, was used to beat the bark into a mush with other barks for a cold formula. Chestnut or rock chestnut oak was combined with red maple (Acer rubrum) or mountain maple (A. spicatum) and balsam fir to make an eyewash. A poultice of the same formula included American elm and wahoo tree bark for "sore eyes and to cool the head."
The mountain folks would make up "eyeberry" using raspberry and blackberry roots for sore eyes, then add purple trillium for swelling of the face. Sometimes it is used for treating many conditions, including bacterial and viral infections, bleeding gums, eye and mouth inflammation, laryngitis, mouth and throat inflammation, and tonsillitis.
The Cherokee Herbal
Native Plant Medicine from the Four Directions
J. T. Garrett
ISBN 187918196-7
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