While most think of flowers and other plants as folk remedies, there are some native trees that have been natural healing remedies throughout history. These old folk remedies have a checkered past. Some have had their medicinal use tested and busted; others (digitalis for heart problems comes to mind) have had their medicinal claims backed up. These are some of the native trees that have been used as healing remedies. This is not all, but merely a sampling.
Bald Cypress
The Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a member of the Redwood family of trees and will reach over 100 feet in height when full grown. The cones from it will give a resin that has been used in skin remedies as an analgesic. It will grow well in full sun or partial shade and has seeds that are perfect for the waterfowl diet. Keep this in mind for landscapes near the water. They are noted as being long lasting trees, with some in Georgia having been growing for 1200 years.
Sassafras
The Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) tree is part of the Laurel family. It can get up to 100 feet in height when full grown. The bark can make a tea, but it’s not the bark that makes it a folk remedy. This has been a historic Native American favorite for the tree’s oil. Sassafras oils can be in perfumes and scented soap, but medicinally makes skin remedies into an antiseptic. Too much of the oil, however, will give a narcotic side effect. The tree itself is aromatic.
Black Cherry
The Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) tree, a member of the Rose family, will reach heights of 120 feet or more. It has been used traditionally as an Appalachian cough and cold remedy; it was also a sedative (as most cough medicines are). Some use it to flavor rum. Livestock should not be around it, as there is cyanogenic glycoside (which is toxic) in the leaves, bark, seeds, and twigs. There are lovely small flowers in the spring with the Black cherry.
Butternut
The Butternut (Juglans cinerea) tree is a member of the Walnut family. Typically this tree will reach forty to sixty feet in height. There is a long history of the Butternut being used for skin remedies, especially for eczema in particular. It can also be a treatment for headaches. This grows best in any soil but will thrive in full sun environments. It’s considered a good all around usage tree, if slow growing.
This article originally appeared Dec. 28, 2008 on Suite 101.