Native American History-
Many different tribes of Algonquian Indians used elderberry bark
infusions, (scraped upward) as an emetic or (scraped downward) as a purgative, in order to “cleanse” the body of
infection. This was similarly practiced by the Carrier, Cherokee, and Gitskan Indians, as well as the Iroquois and Ojibwa
Indians who also used bark and root preparations as emetics. Iroquois healers also used bark and ripe berries as
analgesics, anti-‐inflammatories, to treat fevers (febrifuge), and as a vulnerary. The floral tea was used as a laxative.
Onondaga healers used the elder bark as an emetic/antidote for treating those poisoned by water hemlock.
The Cherokee Indians used elderberry teas and strong infusions for treating rheumatism. They used elderberry floral tea
as a diaphoretic and other plant parts in decoctions and salves for skin problems, dropsy, infection, and fever. The
Chickasaw used branch infusions applied to the forehead for headaches and over bruises and wounds to draw out
abscesses and relieve pain from infections. Choctaw medicine people poulticed salted pounded leaves onto the temple
to treat headache and drank seed and root infusions for liver ailments and digestive complaints. Creek Indian healers
stirred pounded roots in hot water and poulticed them on swollen breasts for relief.
In the regions of Delaware, the Lenape Indians used elder flower decoctions for children’s colic, and leaves and stems
were brewed for blood disorders and jaundice. They poulticed bark scrapings onto sores, swellings and wounds. The
Lenape (often called the Delaware) were noted healers and often taught other tribes their plant wisdom. North of
them, the Mohegan Indians used elderberries in decoctions for jaundice and liver complaints. Farther south the Houma
used pounded roots as anti-‐inflammatories and fermented berries to make a therapeutic tonic. The pounded bark was
used as an analgesic to relieve pain.
The Cherokee Indians used elderberry teas and strong infusions for treating rheumatism. They used elderberry floral tea
as a diaphoretic and other plant parts in decoctions and salves for skin problems, dropsy, infection, and fever. The
Chickasaw used branch infusions applied to the forehead for headaches and over bruises and wounds to draw out
abscesses and relieve pain from infections. Choctaw medicine people poulticed salted pounded leaves onto the temple
to treat headache and drank seed and root infusions for liver ailments and digestive complaints. Creek Indian healers
stirred pounded roots in hot water and poulticed them on swollen breasts for relief.
In the regions of Delaware, the Lenape Indians used elder flower decoctions for children’s colic, and leaves and stems
were brewed for blood disorders and jaundice. They poulticed bark scrapings onto sores, swellings and wounds. The
Lenape (often called the Delaware) were noted healers and often taught other tribes their plant wisdom. North of
them, the Mohegan Indians used elderberries in decoctions for jaundice and liver complaints. Farther south the Houma
used pounded roots as anti-‐inflammatories and fermented berries to make a therapeutic tonic. The pounded bark was
used as an analgesic to relieve pain.
The Rappahanocks used a fermented elderberry wine for neuritis and rheumatism and a bark infusion to treat various
sores and swelling. Seminole healers used elderberry root bark decoctions as emetics and purgatives, for stomachache,
and to treat arthritis and rheumatism.
Among the Great Lakes healers, the Menominee Indians used dried elder flowers in infusions for fever, and like the
Meskwaki Indians, they used the inner bark of young stalks as a purgative. Bark infusions were also used as diuretics,
expectorants, and for difficult childbirth. Elderberry bark was also used as a fly and insect repellent. As insecticides,
many tribes strewed crumbled dried elderberry leaves within their lodges. The Micmac Indians used bark, berries, and
flowers as emetics, purgatives, and soporifics. The Penobscot Indians used the elderberry bark to poultice tumors and
for cancer treatments.
