13/05/2025
Let me share this in a spirit of love, not blame. Because the story of our medicines is not just about what was taken — it’s about what was shared, and what still lives.
For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island and beyond walked in deep relationship with the land. We listened to the plants, the winds, the waters. Our medicines came through dreams, through ceremony, through observation and humility. And many of those teachings have made their way into the wider world, helping people across many walks of life. That, too, is a kind of gift.
Here are some of the medicines — ancient, sacred, and still with us — that found their way into what people now call modern medicine:
1. Willow Bark (Salix spp.):
From the willow tree, many Indigenous nations used the inner bark as a tea for fever and pain. Scientists later isolated salicin, the compound that led to the development of aspirin. This medicine continues to bring relief to millions.
2. Cascara (Rhamnus purshiana):
Used traditionally by West Coast Indigenous nations as a gentle laxative and digestive tonic. Pharmaceutical companies later developed over-the-counter products using cascara’s active compounds. It’s still used today in natural remedies.
3. Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis):
Valued by eastern nations for treating skin conditions, its powerful alkaloids are now found in some oral hygiene products. The teachings around bloodroot remind us that medicine is both potent and sacred.
4. To***co (Nicotiana rustica and others):
A holy plant — offered in prayer, ceremony, and gratitude. While commercial to***co became something else entirely, the true medicine of to***co is about connection, humility, and respect.
5. Ephedra (Ephedra viridis):
Used by Indigenous nations in the Southwest for respiratory relief. The active compound, ephedrine, inspired the development of asthma medications and decongestants.
6. Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens):
Among Indigenous peoples of southern Africa, this root was used for joint pain and inflammation. Today it’s widely available in health food stores and pharmacies for arthritis relief.
7. Quinine (from Cinchona bark):
Used for generations by Quechua people in South America to treat fevers. Its compound became the foundation of malaria treatments worldwide.
8. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium):
Across many Indigenous nations, yarrow was used to stop bleeding, heal wounds, and bring balance. It is still a beloved herbal ally today.
9. Sage (Artemisia spp.):
So much more than smudge. Used for cleansing, ceremony, and medicine — sage also has antimicrobial properties now recognized by science.
10. Labrador Tea (Ledum groenlandicum):
Used by northern nations to ease colds, stomach troubles, and fevers. Still gathered today in traditional ways — its healing warmth lives on.
11. Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata):
Not a medicine in the pharmacological sense — but one of the most sacred of all. It’s medicine for the heart, the spirit, the space around us. Braided into every prayer.
And there are more. So many more. The forest, the tundra, the prairies — they’re full of life and wisdom.
When parts of these medicines were studied, isolated, and used to help others — it wasn’t always with harm in mind. Many researchers and doctors were genuinely moved by the healing power of these plants. But it’s also true that our voices and knowledge weren’t always honored or included in those stories.
Today, many of us are reclaiming those teachings. Not to close the door on others, but to open it with care. To say: these medicines are still here. And so are we.
Let’s walk forward together, in balance — with respect for where these medicines come from, and the teachings that go with them.
With gratitude,
Kanipawit Maskwa
John Gonzalez
Standing Bear Network
