North America's history with medicinal plants goes back generations and is ultimately rooted with Native Americans, who looked to plants for healing powers and whose philosophies of life were intimately balanced with the life and health of our planet. Roots, leaves and berries were a source of remedies for illness and tonics for strength, ultimately symbolizing the respect Native Americans held for the wisdom of Mother Earth.

With time and exploration, immigrant groups descended upon North America, bringing with them plants, seeds and a unique knowledge of herbal medicine. As these people migrated and settled across this land, their knowledge and plants mixed with those of Native Americans to stimulate the evolution of botanical medicine. From the first European settlement to the founding and beginning of the United States, botanical medicine continued to evolve and grow. New forms of medicine based on learning and experiences with herbs were born. Homeopathy and allopathy (conventional medicine) are just two examples of practices that can find their roots in the use of plants as treatment tools.

Through practice and experiment
The Eclectics were particularly influential throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States. These healers, whose medicine was sometimes referred to as "American medicine," gained popularity as people began to question the common allopathic practices of the time. The Eclectics' botanical tool kit and approach, based on determining what worked from individual observation, represented a popular alternative to conventional treatments of the day, which included the use of mercury and bloodletting.

While the Eclectic movement had fallen out of favor by the late 1930s -- largely due to the discovery and clinical use of the antibiotic penicillin -- knowledge of botanicals and passion for their use continued to be shared and passed down through generations, quietly evolving through practice and experiment.

Today botanical medicine is experiencing a new era of popularity and public attention. Just as Native American knowledge melded with that of immigrant groups, modern botanical experts work with conventional medical doctors and researchers to share knowledge and advance our understanding of plants.

Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) and black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) are just two examples of botanicals originally used by Native Americans and early settlers that have gained renewed popularity in modern medicine. The focus of many published research studies, echinacea has been shown to contain active compounds that support immune function. Black cohosh has demonstrated a wide range of effects through clinical research, but is most recognized for its action as an adaptogen, a botanical with the ability to support hormonal balance and function.

Wildcrafters, herbalists, naturopaths
One modern group, known as wildcrafters, holds specific knowledge of how to identify and gather plants like echinacea and black cohosh for medicinal use. Wildcrafting involves sourcing medicinal plants in the wild directly from their natural habitat. This art requires a deep understanding of the environment and how to maintain the health of plants and surrounding areas in order to promote future growth of the indigenous plant species.

Herbalists and licensed naturopathic physicians (N.D.s) are two examples of modern practitioners who are trained in the art and science of botanical medicine. In the case of N.D.s, the science and practice of botany is balanced with training in other forms of treatment such as clinical nutrition and conventional pharmaceutical medicine.

If you are interested in learning more about the healing properties of plants, there is a wealth of sources to explore -- ranging from guide books to help you discover medicinal plants on your next wilderness hike, to online resources for how to start an herbal garden. Reputable resources for technical information on herbs include the American Botanical Council and Natural Standard (see below).

When we think about all the chapters in North American botanical history, we can see a mixing of knowledge and focus. As our history continues to influence our future, we can only expect to uncover more of the innate wisdom that plants and Mother Earth have to offer.

Dr. Keegan Sheridan is a licensed naturopathic physician and Kashi's natural food and lifestyle expert. Her mission at Kashi is to be a megaphone for the benefits of a natural, healthy lifestyle.