Appalachian Folk Medicine
A mountain tradition passed down by Scots-Irish settlers and Cherokee people, rich in goldenseal, black cohosh, ginseng, and generations of botanical wisdom.
Appalachian Mountains, USA
History & Philosophy
Origins
Appalachian folk medicine formed from the blending of Scots-Irish settler herbal knowledge with the plant wisdom of Cherokee and other Indigenous peoples of the Appalachian region, passed down through generations of relative geographic isolation.
Core philosophy
Knowledge is transmitted orally and by direct apprenticeship rather than formal text — through 'granny women' and root doctors who combined practical herbalism with home remedies and a strong ethic of self-sufficiency.
Practiced today
Ginseng, goldenseal, and black cohosh — all signature Appalachian plants — remain significant wild-harvested exports today, and the tradition continues through family knowledge and a modern revival of interest in Appalachian herbalism.
Herbs, foods & remedies
99 herbs traditionally used within Appalachian Folk Medicine — most often for Digestive Issues, Skin Health, Fever.
Agrimony (American)
Agrimonia gryposepala
American Ginseng
Panax quinquefolius
Black Cohosh
Actaea racemosa
Black Haw
Viburnum prunifolium
Black Walnut Hull
Juglans nigra
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Blackberry Root
Rubus allegheniensis
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
Blue Cohosh
Caulophyllum thalictroides
Blue Flag Iris
Iris versicolor
Blue Vervain
Verbena hastata
Boneset
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Burdock Root (American)
Arctium minus
Butterfly Weed (Pleurisy Root)
Asclepias tuberosa
Butternut Bark
Juglans cinerea
Button Snakeroot
Eryngium yuccifolium
Catnip
Nepeta cataria
Cattail Pollen
Typha latifolia
Cleavers
Galium aparine
Comfrey (Common)
Symphytum officinale
Cramp Bark
Viburnum opulus
Dandelion (American)
Taraxacum officinale
Echinacea (Purple Coneflower)
Echinacea purpurea
Elderberry (American)
Sambucus canadensis
Elderflower (American)
Sambucus canadensis
Elecampane (American)
Inula helenium
False Solomon's Seal
Maianthemum racemosum
Fireweed
Epilobium angustifolium
Goldenrod (American)
Solidago canadensis
Goldenseal
Hydrastis canadensis
Gumweed
Grindelia squarrosa
Hawthorn (American)
Crataegus laevigata
Heal-All Mint
Prunella vulgaris
Hops (American)
Humulus lupulus
Horehound (American)
Marrubium vulgare
Ironweed (Vernonia)
Vernonia noveboracensis
Joe Pye Weed
Eutrochium purpureum
Lobelia
Lobelia inflata
Marsh Marigold
Caltha palustris
Mayapple (Podophyllum)
Podophyllum peltatum
Showing the first 40 of 99 — use “See all” above for the full, filterable list.