For generations, Indigenous peoples have used natural medicines rooted in deep respect for the earth and all its gifts. These remedies aren't just part of history — they’re still used today, and for good reason. Here are five traditional medicines that continue to heal, teach, and connect us to our roots.
5 Indigenous Remedies That Still Work Today (and Why They Still Matter)
For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island have used natural remedies to maintain balance, health, and spiritual well-being. These practices are deeply tied to relationships with the land, the spirit world, and ancestral knowledge.
Though colonization attempted to erase many of these teachings, traditional medicines continue to be used and respected in Indigenous communities today - not only for physical healing, but for emotional and spiritual wellness.
Below are five Indigenous remedies that continue to hold meaning, purpose, and healing power in modern times.
1. Sage - For Spiritual Clarity and Anxiety
Sage is one of the Four Sacred Medicines and is widely used in smudging ceremonies to cleanse negative energy from people, spaces, and objects. The smoke is said to carry prayers and intentions to the Creator. It’s often burned during times of stress, transition, or spiritual need.
Sage can also be made into tea and is known for its calming, grounding properties. Some use it as a natural way to reduce anxiety, support digestion, or relieve inflammation.
2. Sweetgrass - For Peace and Positivity
Known as the “hair of Mother Earth,” sweetgrass is braided and used in ceremonies to invite good spirits, kindness, and peace. Unlike sage, which is used to clear negativity, sweetgrass is often used after cleansing, to bring in what is wanted - peace, love, and good energy.
Its distinct sweet aroma is believed to connect the physical and spiritual realms, and it continues to be used in both spiritual and wellness practices.
3. Cedar - For Protection and Purification
Cedar is another of the Four Sacred Medicines and is often used in sweat lodges, smudge bundles, teas, and baths. Cedar is considered a powerful protector and purifier. Its branches may be hung in homes for spiritual safeguarding, and cedar tea is used to support respiratory health and boost the immune system.
Boiling cedar branches or adding them to a bath is a common way to cleanse and realign one’s energy after stressful or heavy experiences.
4. Wild Rose - For Heart Healing and Emotional Support
Wild rose holds a special place in many Indigenous teachings. It symbolizes love, resilience, and beauty. The petals and hips (fruit of the rose) are often used in teas or infused oils to soothe grief and support emotional healing.
Wild rose has also been used to support heart health, balance hormones, and ease inflammation. Beyond its medicinal uses, the presence of wild rose is often seen as a spiritual message of strength during hard times.
5. Natural Salves and Balms – For Pain Relief and Skin Care
Traditionally, salves were made with animal fats like bear grease or tallow, combined with healing plants such as yarrow, plantain, or spruce gum. These natural mixtures were used to soothe sore muscles, treat wounds, and relieve joint pain.
Today, many Indigenous and herbalist makers continue this practice using ethical, plant-based ingredients. These modern salves are often made with beeswax, essential oils, and wild-foraged herbs - carrying forward generations of healing wisdom.
🪶 Final Thoughts
Indigenous remedies are more than homegrown cures - they are teachings, relationships, and acts of resistance. Despite centuries of attempts to erase this knowledge, these medicines continue to heal, guide, and connect.
As interest in natural healing grows, it is important to recognize and respect the cultural roots of these remedies, and to support Indigenous makers and teachers who continue to share them.
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