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dent John Davenport (South Carolina) mentioned the use of boneset to
treat chills and fevers:
Some of de folks had remedies for curing like making hot tea from a wed called
bone-set. Dat weed grows wild in de woods. It was good for chills and fever.
De tea is awful bitter.
Ellen Payne (Texas) observed that boneset was terrible tasting when she
stated, They give us Boneset and other got-up medicine. She then
commented, That nasty Boneset was bad enough to kill a mule. Rev.
Wade Owens (Alabama) accurately noted the ability of the plant to in-
duce sweating:
When us ud git sick, dey would bleed you, stick somp n in your arm and draw
de blood. Den dey would giv us scurry grass and fever weed. Bone-set was
use as teas for colds an fever to sweat you. An hit sho would sweat you, too.
Buckeye (Aesculus glabra) or Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia)
The WPA narratives do not specify which type of buckeye was being ref-
erenced but chances are the respondents were referring to red buckeye,
which is a bush that produces hard black seeds called buckeyes. African
American folk practitioners sometimes used buckeye as a cure for rheuma-
tism (Pyatt and Johns 1999). Vinnie Brunson of Texas shared that two buck-
eyes carried in the pocket would ward off joint misery. Harriet Miller (Geor-
gia) thought that buckeyes carried in the pocket prevented cramps and
colic. Slaves also mixed buckeye with other herbs to treat sickness.
Burdock (Articum lappa)
People have referred to burdock as burr seed, cockle buttons, lappa, and
thorny burr, among others. Modern science indicates that the roots of this
weed have demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal properties. Folk prac-
titioners have used this plant to treat gout, rheumatism, and dropsy
(edema retention of fluid). In Southern Appalachia, folk doctors used bur-
dock as a blood purifier (Cavender 2003; Wichtl 2004). Southern folk prac-
titioners of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries used burdock
as a treatment for dropsy (Moss 1999). Modern scientific evidence indicates
86 Chapter 5
burdock has some medical value for fungal infections and diabetes (Weiner
and Weiner 1994). Research also has found burdock has antibiotic proper-
ties, is a diuretic, and is an anti-inflammatory (Chevallier 2000; Fleming
2000; Peirce 1999; Wichtl 2004). Some folk practitioners believe burdock
helps with the symptoms of arthritis; however, there is no evidence to sup-
port this use (Tyler 1985).
Ex-slave Victoria Adams (South Carolina) remembered the burdock roots
being soaked in whiskey to treat unspecified illnesses. Easter Sudie Camp-
bell (Kansas) recalled the root being mixed with citrate of potash for scrof-
ula. Mark Oliver (Mississippi) remembered a possible use of a plant he
called Bur Vine, which probably referred to burdock. He stated:
Sometime the old folks did the doctoring with the medicine they made out of
herbs. Their snake root tonic was mighty fine. Nothing better for the cramps
than bur vine tea.
Butterfly Root (Asclepias syriaca)
Butterfly root s other names include pleurisy root, Canada root, flux root,
swallow-wort, tuber root, white root, wind root, and orange milkweed
(Fleming 2000). Native Americans used butterfly weed as a laxative, for
pleurisy, stomach problems, fevers, rheumatism, and for the lungs (Cheval-
lier 2000; Heatherley 1998). Modern herbalists have used the plant to treat
respiratory problems, cough, tuberculosis, and infant colic (Weiner and
Weiner 1994). In American folk medicine, butterfly root it has been con-
sidered a cure all. Modern research indicates that it acts as an expectorant,
tonic, and antispasmodic (Fleming 2000). When taken in large amounts,
the plant and its derivatives can be poisonous (Fleming 2000; Heatherley
1998).
Harvey (1981) reported the use of butterfly root by African American folk
healers to induce vomiting. A few of the WPA narratives refer to the use of
butterfly root for chills, worms, and pleurisy. Folk practitioners gave it the
name pleurisy root because of its perceived effectiveness in addressing
pleurisy.
Calamus/Sweet Flag (Acornus calamus)
Calamus, also known as rat root, sweet myrtle, flagroot, sweet root, and
other names has been a common folk remedy for digestive disorders, colic,
fever, upset stomach, and other ailments (Peirce 1999). Native Americans
chewed calamus or sweet flag for toothaches. Folk practitioners used it for
worms (Weiner and Weiner 1994). Southern Appalachian folk doctors
made calamus tea or chewed the leaves as a treatment for indigestion, colic,
Slave Herbal and Plant Treatments 87
and gas (Cavender 2003; Chevallier 2000). The PDR for Herbal Medicines re-
ported that calamus stimulates appetite and digestion and has carminative
and sedative effects (Fleming 2000). Peirce (1999) reported there is scien-
tific evidence for its value as a sedative, but more research is needed. WPA
respondent George Taylor (Alabama) noted an unspecified use of calamus
root:
I also members de ole time remedies dat dey used in de ole days, Dey used red
oak bark for fever an colds, an den dere was horehound, an black snake root
dat de ol Marster put whiskey on. Ol Marster made his own whiskey. An oh!
yes, de calomus root growed in de woods whar dey lived. I neber seed dem
send to no store for medicine.
Mary Thompson (Texas) was born into slavery in Alabama. She referred to
calamus as a treatment for colic, Calamus root, looks like an onion, was
good for de chillens colic.
Cami Weeds/Cami Roots (unknown)
The WPA narratives make several references to the use of a plant called
cami-weed. It is unclear whether the respondents are referring to
chamomile, calamus, or some other plant. People use chamomile in mod-
ern society to treat colds and fevers similar to how it is mentioned in the
narratives. It is likely that the respondents were referring to chamomile
given the variety of chamomile plants, that it is mentioned in the narratives
from Texas, and its presence in much of the South, along with its similar
sounding name. Eli Coleman, born in Texas in 1846 and of Texas recalled
the use of cami-weed :
If we wasn t so sick Maser got an old negro mama to look after us and doctor
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