[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
titioners use it to treat arthritis, sore throats, colic, some types of diarrhea,
and other medical ailments. Red pepper is now believed to act on circula-
tion, affect digestion, and has significant antimicrobial properties (Cheval-
lier 2000). Wechtl (2004) reported that the plant has demonstrated some
efficacy in treating rheumatic diseases. Peirce (1999) reported that the
burning sensation of red pepper does reduce the sensation of pain. The
110 Chapter 5
WPA narratives mention red pepper as placed in the shoes to prevent the
chills (Harriet Collins, Texas), as a tea for the flu (Vinnie Brunson, Texas),
and for pain (Georgia Smith, Georgia).
Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum)
Wichtl (2004) indicated rhubarb s value as a laxative, anti-inflammatory,
and astringent. Modern science has found that rhubarb does serve as a lax-
ative (Peirce 1999). Works Project Administration respondent Govan Little-
john (South Carolina) reported the use of rhubarb to treat foot swelling.
Respondent Alec Bostwick (Georgia) indicated that rhubarb tea was used
to treat children with worms. Rhubarb s effect as a laxative may have helped
to expel worms.
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Sage plant was used as a cure-all during the Middle Ages (Chevallier
2000). The botanical name for sage, salvia means to cure in Latin. Na-
tive Americans applied sage to sores (Weiner and Weiner 1994). Folk prac-
titioners have used sage to treat loss of appetite, gastric disorders, diarrhea,
bleeding gums, flatulence, and other ailments. Research dating back to the
nineteenth century has found that sage reduces sweating (Peirce 1999).
Modern science has found that sage has a tranquilizing effect and may
be effective useful against yeast and other infections (Heatherley 1998;
Weiner and Weiner 1994). Other scientific evidence has found that sage
has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties (Wichtl 2004; Youngkin
and Israel 1996), reduces mucous secretions, increases breast milk pro-
duction, and has tranquilizing properties (Chevallier 2000). The PDR for
Herbal Medicines reported that sage has been approved for loss of appetite,
inflammation of the mouth, and excessive perspiration. It also noted that
sage has antibacterial, astringent, and other medical properties (Fleming
2000). Works Project Administration respondent Smith Simmons (Missis-
sippi) recalled:
When a slave got sick a white doctor was sent for to cure him, and they always
did it. If they was just a little sick the old women what nursed them could cure
them with tea made from the bark of a dog wood tree or with wild sage tea.
They didn t use no charms that came out in later years. The asafitida bags that
was worn was different. They could keep off sickness and they would sure do it.
Mrs. Mary Kincheon Edwards (Texas), who said she was 127 years old and
born a slave in 1810, proclaimed its general use:
We would boil wild sage and make a tea. Dis tea sho smells good. I use a little
sugar wid it but I gets mo e good out ob it without de sugah. It s good fo fe-
Slave Herbal and Plant Treatments 111
vah and chills. Some people use it fo almost anything. When day feels bad. Yo
jes pull up de whole sage weed, let de leaves dry lay em up somewheahs in
de shade and den make yo tea.
Sarsaparilla (Smilax aristolochiae folia/Smilax medica officinalis)
Folk practitioners used the sarsaparilla root for rheumatism and scrofula
(a tuberculosis infection of the lymph nodes, esp. the neck) (Weiner and
Weiner 1994). Native American groups mixed sarsaparilla with other herbs
to make cough remedies, treat fevers, and other ailments. In the nineteenth
century, sarsaparilla was added to a variety of drinks not only because of its
pleasant taste but also because people thought it purified the blood (Peirce
1999). There is some scientific evidence that the plant works as a mild di-
uretic, expectorant, and laxative (Weiner and Weiner 1994; Youngkin and
Israel 1996). However, many of the claims of the medicinal value of sarsa-
parilla are unfounded (Peirce 1999). The WPA narratives of William Em-
mons (Ohio) and Gus Smith (Missouri) mentioned the root being used for
unspecified medical purposes.
Sassafras (Sassafras albidium)
Sassafras is also known as ague tree, cinnamon wood, saloop, and sax-
ifras. Slave herb doctors relied on sassafras root and bark as treatments for
colic, venereal disease, pain, fevers, high blood pressure, rheumatism, scrof-
ula, and other ailments (See appendix A). Modern researchers have found
that the plant has some antiseptic qualities (Weiner and Weiner 1994). Sas-
safras has no known therapeutic useful properties and in fact can be dan-
gerous because the root contains safrole, which has proven to be carcino-
genic in lab animals (Fleming 2000; Peirce 1999; Tyler 1985; Wichtl 2004).
Weiner and Weiner (1994) also reported that sassafras has limited value.
Fontenot (1994) identified sassafras as being used by slaves in a general
purpose tea for medical ailments including gallstones, clearing sinuses, and
blood cleansing (Wichtl 2004). Works Project Administration respondent
Jeff Calhoun (Alabama) mentioned sassafras as a treatment for malaria. Eli
Coleman (Texas) was born in 1846 and recalled the harvesting of sassafras
roots for a number of medical uses:
She used herbs that she gathered in the woods such as sasfras roots, cami
weeds, and then she gathered leaves off peach trees and made a syrup and gave
us for chills, and fevers, and malaria.
Eli then added,
I dont know much bout roots and herbs, but I se drink lots ob sasfras tea fer
malaria.
112 Chapter 5
Carrie Nancy Fryer (Georgia) recalled using it for measles:
When us had de mumps mother git sardines and take de oil out and rub us
jaws and dat cure us good. Sassafax for meesles, to run de numor (humor) out
de blood.
Apart from its minor antiseptic qualities, no modern research supports
the efficacy of sassafras for any of the medical ailments mentioned in the
WPA narratives.
Scurvy Grass (Cochlearia officinalis)
The leaves are the medicinal part of scurvy grass. The flowers of the plant
have a strong taste. The plant obtains its name from its use to treat scurvy,
as it contains vitamin C. The plant can be an irritant to the skin and mu-
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]