Vegetation
The Clans of the Cherokee Nation that live in the Coastal plains have different variety of vegetation. This is because the growth has had to adapt to the sandy soil. The clans that lived in the Appalachian Region had many coniferous and deciduous trees. These trees grew so well here because they had adapted to the unproductive soil. Lastly the portion of the nation that lived in the Interior Plains were provided with mixed deciduous, evergreen trees, and grass that grew as tall as a person.
The Cherokee believed they were gifted by the Creator for the exceptional plants that not only had a use for healing purposes but also for prevention of disease, and illnesses. The nation would only pick every third plant to ensure the population of the plant and preserve its species for as long as possible. Although the Cherokee people had tried to preserve their plants they have completely disappeared from existence or are very scarce. Many Nations not only the Cherokee would ask permission of the plants before picking them, leave a gift and then say a blessing after consumption of said plant. Some of the plants The Cherokee people used were:
The Blackberry. Used for soothing stomach problems. They would heal swollen tissues and joints by making a strong tea made from Blackberry roots. A tonic (liquid Remedy) made from the leaves was used a stimulation for the entire body.
Black Gum Tree. Bark from this tree (A Black Gum Tree) was used to heal chest pain by making a mild tea from small pieces of bark.
Hummingbird Blossom (Buck Brush.) The roots of this plant were used to improve Kidney Function.
Cat tail. This plant unlike the others was not used as a healing plant, but as a preventative medicine. The cat tail was eaten because it was easily digestible, and very helpful to post illness to assist the recovery. Most parts of the plant were eaten except for; the mature leaves, and the seed head. ( the Brown and White parts of the plant in the image to the left.)
GreenBriar (Pull out a sticker plant.) The roots of this plant made a very good blood purifier when boiled properly.
Mint. Mint was made into a tea and drank to aid stomach pains, such as digestion problems. They would also crush and bruise the leaves to use as a cold compress, or used to stop itching.
Although you could say the Cherokee people lived in an awkward location when it came to growth ability they had many useful plants.