Civil War Era Common Medicinals
The information below is presented as historical references and does not constitute medical advice or remedies that have since been proven safe. Many herbal remedies were experimental during this era.* (And remember: sometimes they got it wrong!)
Medications were expensive and difficult to obtain during the Civil War. Surgeons in the Field often relied on soldiers to identify and collect “easily procurable” medicinal plants for use by the surgeon. These often included:
American Holly
Bark/Root: Bitter Demulcent.
Cough Tonic
Bene (Sesamum) – Sesame Plant (Native South Africa. Grown in Southern Gardens.)
Leaves
Cold, cough, dysentery. Used to replace Gum of Arabic or Flax Seed as a mucilage.
Blackberry
Root, Stem, Bark: Diarrhea, Stomach Ails
Chinquapin (Castanea)
Astringent
Root: Diahhrea, Stomach Ails
Cinchona Tree
Source of Quinine
Malaria
Other uses withheld due to serious side-effects.
Common Boneset
Diaphoretic – plant used to treat fever by causing sweating.
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus Florida)
Bark
Fever of all types – where quinine was unavailable.
Gentian (Several Species)
Leaves and Flowers: Digestion/Tonic/Diuretic
Mayapple
Laxative/Purgative (The fruit in small amounts can be eaten, but in larger amounts, and also the roots and rhizomes, are poisonous.)
Persimmon
Cordial: Diarrhea, Dysentery
Rhubarb
Laxative
Sassafras:
Roots and Leaves
Leaves are high in mucilage, helpful for pneumonia, bronchitis or colds/flu.
Also used for treatment of measles.
Sweet Gum (Liquidambar Styraciflva)
Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial
Inner Bark: Astringent
Boiled in milk or tea for diarrhea (dysentery, etc.)
Leaves:
Green leaves are astringent, possibly used for wounds as well as internal cleansing.
Tulip Poplar
Salicylate
Bark: Cold infusion used for fever
Wild Lettuce
Analgesic
Leaves: Anti-Spasmodic, Diuretic, Narcotic
Wild Quinine
Poultice: Sores
Willow Bark
Salicylate
Bark: Cold infusion used for fever
Special Mention:
Poisonous yet “Believed to Be Beneficial” Flowering Plants
Celery-Leaved Buttercup
Rubefacient (questioned)
Desiccant
Caustic (Juice) : Sciatica
Rheumatism, Asthma, Pain
Clematis/Virgins Bower– Investigative Alternative to more common & safe remedies
Internal & Poultice
Purgative
Syphilis, rheumatism, paralysis and gout; sores/ulcers.
Liverwort
Tonic (rarely used)
Goldenseal
Bitter Tonic and Wash
Tincture, Powder
Believed to be Possibly Narcotic
Poppy/Opium Poppy
Narcotic
Yellow Wood Anenome
Rubefacient: Topical treatment for Fevers, Gout and Corns on the feet
Flowers: Headache
(Reported violent reaction, redness of skin, etc.)
Bulbs: Teeth (chew)
Infusion: Women’s gynecological health (remove obstruction)
Decoction: Cleanse and heal inflammation
Yellow Root
Bark: Bitter Tonic
Menstrual, Diuretic for dropsy
External sores
Additional Details and Species (Reference):
Resources of the Southern Fields and Forests, Medical, Economical and Agricultural
Herbal Preparation in the Civil War Era (Reference):
General Directions for Collecting and Drying Medicinal Substances of the Vegetable Kingdom
List and Description of Indigenous Plants, etc.; their Medicinal Properties; Forms of Administration, and Doses. Electronic Edition.
Confederate States of America. Surgeon General’s Office
The information on this website is not an endorsement for herbal medicine, but a historical account. When considering herbal medicines, don’t self-diagnose or self-prescribe. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking herbal supplements to avoid dangerous side-effects and medication interactions.