Medicinal Plants
The DNR Wildlife Viewing Grants Program emphasizes species and habitats that are conservation priorities in Georgia’s State Wildlife Action Plan. The plan is a comprehensive strategy to conserve native species and the habitats they need before these animals, plants and places become more rare and costly to conserve or restore.
Through the years plants have been used to relieve pain, heal wounds, treat, and cure illnesses.
In Georgia, the Creek and Cherokee Indians were particularly adept at using medicinal plants. They shared their knowledge with early settlers, who brought their own herbal remedies from Europe. Added to the mix were the traditional herbal-medicine practices of enslaved Africans. From wild plants they made teas, poultices, ointments, and other preparations. Many of the plants were also edible and valuable food sources.
Today, natural compounds derived from plants are a source of and form the basis for at least 120 drugs. Some examples include Aspirin, used for pain relief and anti-clotting, derived from Salix found in willow bark; and Digitalis, used to treat heart arrhythmia, derived from Foxglove.
A few examples of plants with medicinal properties found at Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve include:
Bloodroot- which occurs in the slope forest, has been used as an antibacterial agent and for heart and lung ailments.
Common Blue Violet- the flowers and leaves are both edible and rich in vitamin C and A.
Various preparations have been used to heal wounds, treat colds, coughs, diarrhea, headaches, and viral infections, and to make a spring tonic.
Old Man’s Beard (Usnea)-an airy sage-green lichen has been used as an antibiotic, an antifungal, an antiviral and a blood purifier.
Black Gum- the bark is used to make a mild tea and to relieve chest pain.
Oak Tree- a symbol of strength and endurance, oak trees have been a source of food medicine, ceremonies, and building. Used to treat swelling, dysentery, bleeding, tumors, and poisoning antidote. As a tea, oak tree bark serves as an effective diuretic and can be gargled to soothe a sore throat. Dried inner bark ground into a powder can be made into a paste and applied to skin to treat poison ivy, burns or wounds.
Pine Tree- provides food, medicine, and shelter. Dried pine bark or tea from the needles provides an incredibly higher amount of vitamin C than found in any other tree species.
Antioxidants found in pine bark and needles include carotenoids and vitamin A. This combination when consumed can provide the following benefits: promotes respiratory health, boost immune system, improves blood circulation, helps prevent cataracts, improves vision, promotes skin and hair health.
Elliott’s Blueberry- The fruit is a rich source of micro-nutrients and, in addition to being edible, is said to have many health benefits. It has a gentle laxative action and, if taken regularly, is said to improve the circulation, especially of the small blood vessels, which can help prevent eye problems such as cataracts and glaucoma. Other conditions that can benefit include ulcers, urinary tract infections, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fever, varicose veins and hemorrhoids. The dried fruit and leaves are used in the treatment of diarrhea. The leaves are astringent, anti-inflammatory, blood purifier. An infusion is used in the treatment of sore throats and other inflammations of the mouth or mucous membranes of the throat, as well as in the treatment of infant's colic.
Important to note that while most pine needles are safe to consume, the following are poisonous and should NOT be consumed: Norfolk Island Pine, Yew, Western Yellow Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Blackjack Pine.
The DNR Wildlife Viewing Grants Program emphasizes species and habitats that are conservation priorities in Georgia’s State Wildlife Action Plan. The plan is a comprehensive strategy to conserve native species and the habitats they need before these animals, plants and places become more rare and costly to conserve or restore.
Through the years plants have been used to relieve pain, heal wounds, treat, and cure illnesses.
In Georgia, the Creek and Cherokee Indians were particularly adept at using medicinal plants. They shared their knowledge with early settlers, who brought their own herbal remedies from Europe. Added to the mix were the traditional herbal-medicine practices of enslaved Africans. From wild plants they made teas, poultices, ointments, and other preparations. Many of the plants were also edible and valuable food sources.
Today, natural compounds derived from plants are a source of and form the basis for at least 120 drugs. Some examples include Aspirin, used for pain relief and anti-clotting, derived from Salix found in willow bark; and Digitalis, used to treat heart arrhythmia, derived from Foxglove.
A few examples of plants with medicinal properties found at Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve include:
Bloodroot- which occurs in the slope forest, has been used as an antibacterial agent and for heart and lung ailments.
Common Blue Violet- the flowers and leaves are both edible and rich in vitamin C and A.
Various preparations have been used to heal wounds, treat colds, coughs, diarrhea, headaches, and viral infections, and to make a spring tonic.
Old Man’s Beard (Usnea)-an airy sage-green lichen has been used as an antibiotic, an antifungal, an antiviral and a blood purifier.
Black Gum- the bark is used to make a mild tea and to relieve chest pain.
Oak Tree- a symbol of strength and endurance, oak trees have been a source of food medicine, ceremonies, and building. Used to treat swelling, dysentery, bleeding, tumors, and poisoning antidote. As a tea, oak tree bark serves as an effective diuretic and can be gargled to soothe a sore throat. Dried inner bark ground into a powder can be made into a paste and applied to skin to treat poison ivy, burns or wounds.
Pine Tree- provides food, medicine, and shelter. Dried pine bark or tea from the needles provides an incredibly higher amount of vitamin C than found in any other tree species.
Antioxidants found in pine bark and needles include carotenoids and vitamin A. This combination when consumed can provide the following benefits: promotes respiratory health, boost immune system, improves blood circulation, helps prevent cataracts, improves vision, promotes skin and hair health.
Elliott’s Blueberry- The fruit is a rich source of micro-nutrients and, in addition to being edible, is said to have many health benefits. It has a gentle laxative action and, if taken regularly, is said to improve the circulation, especially of the small blood vessels, which can help prevent eye problems such as cataracts and glaucoma. Other conditions that can benefit include ulcers, urinary tract infections, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fever, varicose veins and hemorrhoids. The dried fruit and leaves are used in the treatment of diarrhea. The leaves are astringent, anti-inflammatory, blood purifier. An infusion is used in the treatment of sore throats and other inflammations of the mouth or mucous membranes of the throat, as well as in the treatment of infant's colic.
Important to note that while most pine needles are safe to consume, the following are poisonous and should NOT be consumed: Norfolk Island Pine, Yew, Western Yellow Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Blackjack Pine.