 |
by J. T. Garrett
"Cherokee Medicine is a way of life for me, for my family, for the Cherokee and for other American Indians. It is my vision that others will come to better know and understand this way of life that shows that shows respect for every living thing here on Mother Earth, how each has it's own beauty and is a helper to us. My vision is that we will learn to respect Mother Earth more each day and come to know how we can be a protector for the resources that our ancestors have called "the Medicine Way." (from Chapter 1 - The Medicine Way of Life)
J. T. Garrett is a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee from North Carolina. He has been a student and teacher of Indian Medicine for over thirty-five years,and currently serves as the health director for Carteret County in North Carolina.
I am impressed with the man as well as the book. The Cherokee Herbal is written in story form - giving full credit to the oral tradition of the Cherokee people. Garrett fully acknowledges that many in his tribe were against the publication of this material. However - there were also those that felt this was the right time to share. Garrett also acknowledges that some things were left out of this book - they were not to be shared, for whatever reason. The sacred ceremonial use of plants remains exactly that - sacred, and not part of this book.
Native American Medicine in general has a very different concept than Western medicine. While it refers to the plants/herbs being used, it also incorporates the concept of prevention, and making "Good Medicine" choices. It involves seeking spiritual guidance and including the family in the healing. Environmental, as well as physical and spiritual influences are taken into consideration.
Garrett quotes one Cherokee elder:
The Cherokee basis for teaching is the sacredness of the circle. There are "life values" reflected in each of the four directions, and specific plants associated with each of the four directions.
The direction of the East, or East Medicine, reflects family life, the importance of women and Mother Earth, and relationships in general. The color associated with the East is yellow, the key energy of the East is spiritual.
The direction of the North, or North Medicine, reflects the four winds, cold weather and calm. The North is the adult who teaches. The color associated with the North is blue, the key energy of the North is calm.
Through story, Garrett presents the animal Medicine of the Rabbit, Ant, Deer and Snake. From there he introduces us to the origins of the Medicine that plants carry with them. These are the helpers that we have to work with in this lifetime.
The remainder of the book is divided into four sections - one for each of the four directions. The definitions of the Medicine of each direction is taken from the book:
"East Medicine focuses on the viability of the heart and of the energy within the body relative to the Universal Circle, the environment of our lives. It also It also includes plants and natural agents used in the seven traditional ceremonies of the Cherokee. ... Fire is the "center" of the Four Directions, with the direction of the Sun (East) being paramount in Cherokee sacred ceremonies (as it is for most American Indian tribes)."
"South Medicine focuses on the innocence of life and the energy of youthfulness. It is the direction of curiosity and play: think of a young child, around the age of seven, playing in nature. South is Mother Earth and planting time for food and Medicine. It is enjoying the beauty of flowers and observing the movement of small animals, such as the beaver in the water or the rabbit on the land. South is also the direction of warmth and protection - an image of south energies that comes to mind is a young girl or boy playing with a favorite pet or friend outside in nature. South energy is the kind of curiosity that us to just sit and watch ants move in single file, back and forth, as they gather food. The South Medicine protects innocence, like the skin that protects the body from injury and harm or the shield that protects a hunter from arrows."
"In early Cherokee Indian Medicine, West Medicine teachings focused on the internal aspects of the physical body. The Medicine included many plants for building strength and endurance. The primary focus of West Medicine is on systems of the physical body, including the digestive system, the endocrine system and urinary functions, and the internal infections that can cause unwellness. Describing the realm of West Medicine, and elder said: "Everything that is going on inside, that cannot be seen with the eye, but causes the body to be ill, or act strange, both physically and spiritually."
"North Medicine is about a sense of freedom and a connection to the stars and the greater Universal Circle. The focus is on the respiratory system, the nervous system , the ear, nose, throat and mouth, as well as on allaying those influences that interfere with our balance and breathing."
As an example of how the plant/herbal Medicine is presented, we have the following from the Medicine of the East:
"Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa). Also called pleurisy root or wind root, butterfly weed was used in a heart formula as a diuretic and a cardio-tonic. While is it uncertain how it was used, "it was known in earlier days as wind root for its ability to carry a message to the Great One". Butterfly weed enjoys direct sunlight and dry soil, and the orange-yellow flowers make this a good garden flower and a beautiful wildflower for roadside viewers."
I found The Cherokee Herbal to be well researched and well written, and highly recommend it as a resource book for Native American herbs.
|
