The Mahdi Times The Mahdi Times, Issue #28, March 2015 | Page 13

yet testable, Native Americans still
claim that they can cure ailments
and diseases. Some of those ailments
and diseases that they claim to have
healed are thyroid conditions,
asthma, heart disease and cancer
(OAM
99). (http://keller.clarke.edu/~engli
sh/honors/jach/index.html#alternat
e)
According to Dr. Zimmerman,
Director of anthropology at the
University of South Dakota, Native
Americans use poplar or bark to cure
headaches. These plants
(http://keller.clarke.edu/~english/h
onors/pam/index.html#plants)
contain the ingredient salicin, which
is found in aspirin
(http://keller.clarke.edu/~english/h
onors/joe/index.html#headache)
(149). In addition, white willow bark
can be used to treat tumors, warts,
cancers, calluses and corns. It
can also be used to fight fever and to
treat sore eyes (OAM 196).
Zimmerman also points out that
Native American Indians believe that
"chewing certain roots helped to
relieve sore throats and headaches,
while teas made from various plants
eased indigestion" (111).
Several over- the - counter and
prescription drugs contain
ingredients such as taxol, ergot and

vincristine, which were derived from
Native American medicinal herbs.
The OAM reported that "cough drops
that contain menthol,
mint, horehound, or lemons are
herbal preparations; chamomile and
mint teas taken for digestion or a
nervous stomach are time honored
herbal remedies and many simple
but effective OTC ache-and painrelieving preparations on
every druggist's or grocer's shelf
contain oils of camphor, menthol, or
eucalyptus. Millions of Americans
greet the morning with their
favourite herbal stimulant - coffee"
(185).

The Office of Alternative Medicine
also listed a variety of Native
American medicinal herbs that can
be found to treat many of the same
illnesses that the medical profession
treats with pharmaceuticals. I am