- Region
- North America
- Origin
- Dry, rocky woods and slopes in the central and eastern United States, from New York to Georgia and the Ozarks
- Traditions
- Cherokee medicine
North America · Herb · № 996
Cunila origanoides
Herb · North America
American dittany
Cunila origanoides
A low, woody plant of the mint family with small purple flowers in late summer that smells of oregano and mint. The leaf contains essential oil. On the first frosty nights the stems split and ice ribbons grow out of them, which gave it the name frost mint.
Safety notes
Not in pregnancy: the plant was used to bring on labour. Do not take the essential oil. A snakebite needs a doctor at once. Traditional use is no proof of effect; consult a doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication or have a medical condition.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine: Not in pregnancy.
Preparation
A tea of a teaspoon of dried leaf, steeped for 5 to 10 minutes.
Use in traditions
An old tea plant of the Appalachians, also drunk as a substitute for black tea. According to Hamel and Chiltoskey the Cherokee drank an infusion for colds, headache and fever, to sweat, and as a stimulant and tonic. Women were given a strong infusion to strengthen labour pains. The plant was also counted as a remedy for snakebites.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine
Attributed effects
For colds, headache and fever, to sweat, as a stimulant and tonic, and for snakebites; made strong to strengthen labour pains.
Preparation and amount
A tea of the leaf.
Caution: Not in pregnancy.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)