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Table 1 Plant species utilized in this study and Haudenosaunee medicinal properties.

From: Antibacterial activity of traditional medicinal plants used by Haudenosaunee peoples of New York State

Species

Common name

Medicinal Propertiesa, b

"Powerful" Haudenosaunee medicinal plants c

Achillea millefolium

Common Yarrow

Analgesic (LV, RT), Antidiarrheal (PL), Antiemetic (LV, ST), Antihelmintic (LV), Antipyretic (PL), Antirheumatic (PL), Blood (PL), Gastrointestinal (PL), Panacea drug (LV), Venereal Disease (PL)

Asclepias syriaca

Common Milkweed

Circulation (RT, PL), Dermatological (ST), Gastrointestinal (LV), Gynecological (PL)

Ipomoea pandurata

Man of the Earth

Analgesic (RT, PL), Blood (RT, LV, ST), Cough (RT), Gastrointestinal (RT, PL), Liver (PL), Panacea (PL), Witchcraft (PL)

Malva neglecta

Common Mallow

Analgesic (PL), Dermatological (PL), Gastrointestinal (PL), Orthopedic (PL)

Other Haudenosaunee medicinal plants

Cimicifuga racemosa

Black bugbane

Antirheumatic (RT, PL), Blood (RT), Orthopedic (LV)

Hieracium pilosella

Mouseear hawkweed

Antidiarrheal (PL)

Lycopodium digitatum

Fan clubmoss

Anticonvulsive (PL), Diuretic (PL), Reproductive (PL)

Ranunculus acris

Tall Buttercup

Analgesic (PL), Antidiarrheal (RT), Blood (PL)

Solidago canadensis

Canada goldenrod

Analgesic (RT, FL), Emetic (RT, FL), Gastrointestinal (FL), Liver (FL), Sedative (RT)

Plants with no known medicinal use by Haudenosaunee d

Arabis glabra (N)

Tower rockcress

None

Myosotis scorpioides (N)

True forget-me-not

None

Silene virginica (N)

Fire pink

None

Hesperis matronalis (I)

Dames rocket

None

Rosa multiflora (I)

Multiflora rose

None

Silene latifolia (I)

Bladder campion

None

  1. a Herrick 1977, 1995; Moerman 1996, 1998
  2. b Whole plant (PL), Flower (FL), Leaf (LV), Stem (ST), Root (RT)
  3. c Among approximately 150 species cited as the most powerful medicinal plants in Haudenosaunee culture (Herrick 1995) based on observed therapeutic and spiritual effects
  4. d Native (N), Introduced (I)