"You're not learning something new - you're remembering something forgotten."
This repository documents traditional knowledge that was systematically appropriated by institutions and corporations, providing verified information for communities seeking to reclaim their ancestral capabilities. Every entry includes historical documentation of appropriation and modern safety considerations.
Cherokee, Catawbas, Kickapoo tribes used for infections, eye treatments, stomach ailments
Berberine, Hydrastine
E.R. Squibb & Sons (hemostatic, astringent), Park-Davis (tinctures, extracts), Eli Lilly & Co. (standardized extracts), Thayer Company (multiple formulations)
Native use pre-1790s → U.S. Pharmacopeia 1830 → Mass production late 1800s
Still used for immune support, wound healing
Avoid during pregnancy; limit use to short periods
Used by Sumerians, Egyptians, Native Americans for 3,500+ years for pain relief
Salicin (precursor to aspirin)
1828: Salicin isolated and patented, 1897: Bayer synthesized aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), Generated billions in pharmaceutical sales
Dried bark boiled into tea, chewed fresh
Natural pain relief, anti-inflammatory
Blood-thinning effects; avoid with anticoagulants
Great Plains tribes used for 400+ years for infections, wounds, respiratory issues
Alkamides, polysaccharides, flavonoids
Eclectics adopted in late 1800s, European pharmaceutical companies mass-produced, $300+ million annual market by 2000s
Root decoctions, whole plant extracts
Immune system support, cold/flu prevention
Generally safe; avoid with autoimmune conditions
Willow bark tea for pain relief, Specific positioning and movement techniques, Breathing and visualization methods
Goldenseal root preparations, Clean linen sterilization methods, Post-birth care protocols
Extended family involvement, Elder women as knowledge keepers, Celebration and ceremony integration
Lower intervention rates, Reduced maternal mortality in traditional communities, Holistic care approaches now being "rediscovered"
This traditional knowledge represents thousands of years of human innovation and adaptation. It was not "primitive" or "obsolete" - it was systematically suppressed to create market dependence. Every technique in this repository worked for centuries before institutional appropriation.
The goal is not to reject all modern advances, but to reclaim the capability to choose - to have both traditional wisdom and modern tools available, rather than being dependent on systems we don't control.
"Remember: You are not learning something new. You are remembering what your ancestors knew. This knowledge flows in your blood. The institutions convinced you to forget it, but they could never actually take it away. It was always yours. It belongs to you now."
"The strength isn't in the knowledge itself - it's in the confidence that comes from knowing you can handle whatever comes because you have capabilities that can't be taken away by other people's decisions."
This repository is for educational and historical preservation purposes only. Plant medicine information is not intended as medical advice. Building techniques should be verified with local codes and qualified professionals. Food preservation methods should follow current safety guidelines. Always consult appropriate professionals before implementing traditional techniques.
The goal is knowledge preservation and community self-reliance education, not replacement of professional services.
Version 1.0 - Foundation Edition
Compiled: December 2024
Purpose: Community Knowledge Restoration
Source: "Pioneers Again" Traditional Knowledge Initiative