The Appalachian Botanical Drug Boom

The Appalachian Botanical Drug Boom 

By the mid-1800s, national markets for medicinal herbs from the Appalachian Mountains had begun to emerge. Many Americans had grown skeptical of mainstream medicine, which at the time was still dominated by physicians who used such treatments as bloodletting, purging, puking, and blistering, and who prescribed toxic heavy metals—including mercury, lead, and arsenic—as medicine. These treatments were not only ineffective, but they often made patients even sicker than they were to begin with.

By contrast, botanically based Indigenous and folk medical treatments were grounded in traditional knowledge of plant medicines that had been refined over many generations of practice. These healers came to be trusted more than many formally trained physicians. By the mid-1800s, popular demand for plant-based therapies fueled the creation of a significant national market for Appalachian forest botanicals. This market continued to grow during the Civil War, particularly in the South, which was cut off from most commercial medicines.

Following the Civil War, technological advances in extraction and manufacturing increased the profitability of pharmaceuticals, launching the botanical drug trade into a booming industry. During this time, the vast majority of these botanicals—upwards of 75 percent—were harvested from the central and southern Appalachian Mountains.

Mayapple photo by Shannon E. Bell (CC BY 4.0)

Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)

Historically used as a strong purgative and emetic, worm expellant, and to treat hepatitis and fevers. Contains podophyllotoxin, which has anticancer and antimalarial properties. Today, semisynthetic derivatives of podophyllotoxin are used as lifesaving chemotherapy drugs for the treatment of certain cancers.

Warning: Rhizomes, roots, and leaves are poisonous; do not ingest. 

Wild Ginger photo by Shannon E. Bell (CC BY 4.0)

Wild ginger (Asarum canadense)

Historically used to treat indigestion, cramps, cough, heart conditions, nervous conditions, sore throat, and fever. Also used as a spice, and rhizomes were made into candy.

Caution: Contains aristolochic acid, which is a kidney toxin and human carcinogen.

Bloodroot photo by Shannon E. Bell (CC BY 4.0)

Bloodroot  (Sanguinaria canadensis)

Historically used in very small doses to treat a variety of

ailments, including jaundice, whooping cough, rheumatism (arthritis), torpid liver, typhoid pneumonia, croup, dysentery, and worms. Was used externally for warts, polyps, and other skin problems.

Warning: Ingestion can cause coma, shock, and glaucoma.