Natural remedies from the Lowcountry’s meadows and marshlands

Marshland medicine

Story by Alea Wilkins

From the common cold to snake bites, the Lowcountry’s cure grows all around us. Wildflowers like goldenrod and purple coneflowers are nature’s healers hiding in plain sight, while elderberries — found in pharmacy products — can be plucked straight from the wetlands. For generations, Indigenous and Gullah-Geechee communities have harnessed the power of local plants to restore vitality and well-being. Discover the region’s most time-honored herbal remedies, and experience wellness, naturally rooted in the Lowcountry.

Medicinal roots

In the coastal Carolinas modern, natural healing descends from the collaboration between Indigenous and Gullah people. They exchanged knowledge of the climate and medicine to cultivate a practice unique to the area, preserved in part by geographic isolation. Inez Miller, an herbalist and owner of Miller’s Wellness on St. Helena Island, learned from her ancestors when standardized medicine wasn’t available. “On this island, when I was growing up, there was only one doctor,” Miller says. “If you didn’t get an appointment with that one doctor, you had to take care of yourself.” 

Today Miller and other local herbalists keep the practice alive by not only sharing their prepared remedies but also their explanatory guides, recipes and coloring books. She says it’s an effort to protect both the cultural history and its descendants. “This way young people can learn of medicinal ways to heal themselves,” Miller says. “If you can’t afford to go to the doctor, instead of staying home and being ill, you can work on things on your own like our ancestors did. They were self-sufficient people.”

Immuni-tea

Find the fountain of youth in the fields. Life everlasting (also known as rabbit tobacco) grows in dry clearings all over the coastal South and Midwest. Mary Olodun, a naturopathic doctor at Trilera Holistic Care in Bluffton, explains its powers. “It really helps to protect the cells and boost immunity,” she says, citing its high volume of essential vitamins that support the metabolism and fight inflammation. Dr. Olodun notes it is most often boiled into a tea or a tincture to aid congestion, but regular consumption can help prevent future sickness. Whether fighting the common cold or hoping for immortality, life everlasting is a time-honored remedy to increase overall health.

Cling & cure

Dog owners may recognize teasels best when they’re stuck on their pup’s fur, but the plant can be surprisingly helpful to humans, especially those with Lyme disease. “Lyme disease is particularly challenging to overcome because the bacteria have spike-like spurs that attach to nerve cells,” Dr. Olodun says. “When you take teasel, it can aid in releasing these spurs, allowing the body to effectively flush out the Lyme bacteria.” Over time, Dr. Olodun says teasel can completely rid patients of Lyme in addition to other harmful bacteria and inflammation. While a bristly nuisance on the outside, teasel’s staying power comes from within.

Rose renewal

After a rose blooms and fades, it produces red fruit in the flower’s place. The fruits, referred to as rosehips, are packed with rejuvenating nutrients. “Rosehips are incredibly high in Vitamin C, making them a valuable tonic for the assimilation of most other essential nutrients within the body for repair, restoration and vitalization of health,” says Amy Spadafora, a naturopathic wellness consultant in Bluffton. As a salve or extract, rosehips’ anti-inflammatory abilities can relieve skin disorders like eczema or arthritis pain. When brewed into a tea or tincture, the fruit can treat diabetes, respiratory conditions and, as the National Library of Medicine found, maybe even cancer. Beloved for its beauty, rose plants have budding possibilities for holistic care.

Protective perennial

Commonly known as the purple coneflower, Echinacea provides the ultimate immune boost. “Echinacea is known as the Herb of Fortification, due its super powers for clearing infections,” Spadafora says. “It bolsters the immune system, aids in the production of white blood cells and is very useful in addressing bacterial and viral inflammations.” This makes it helpful for respiratory infections, but it was also used by Indigenous healers to treat tooth pain and snake bites, as reported by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. With a variety of benefits, it’s a sweeping antidote scattered all across the Lowcountry.

Berry boost

Blooming near ponds or waterways, elderberries are known on pharmacy shelves for cold and flu relief, but to Jamillah Miller, owner of Four Seasons Apothecary, the plant’s healing powers are much more comprehensive. “Elderberry offers more than just immune syrup for a cold or flu. It’s the combination of other kitchen herbs to support the natural function of our body,” she says. With it she prepares her famous elderberry elixir, which she describes as alleviating symptoms of allergies, bronchitis and sinus infections. She also notes its abilities to boost the immune system as a whole rather than just a sick-day solution. “When you think of elderberries, imagine a tree that nourishes humans and animals alike in preparation for a season of stillness,” she says. In essence, they’re ripe with health benefits for any time of year.

Sweet treatment

Marshmallows are s’more than just a fireside treat. The pillowy confection is made from the root of Althaea officinalis, an herbaceous perennial called a marshmallow because it grows in brackish wetlands. When pulverized and prepared as candy, the plant can make you feel as good as it tastes. “The magic of marshmallow is a sweet remedy combined with honey to soothe sore throats and support digestion,” Miller says. While the treats in grocery stores are missing its namesake ingredient, homemade variations can reap the medicinal benefits. Add to teas, coffee or hot chocolate for relief that’s extra sweet.

Liquid gold

Referred to as “Sun medicine” by Indigenous groups, goldenrods possess a wealth of anti-inflammatory remedies. Miller indicates on her website that the plant can provide relief from respiratory and urinary infections. “Goldenrod is one of my favorites because it tells a story of what to expect for the season ahead,” Miller says, referencing its cold- and allergy-fighting abilities. “It provides support by helping our bodies transition gently into the cooler months.” Common preparations include tinctures, but the Penn State Extension indicates that Indigenous healers also crushed goldenrod leaves to alleviate fevers and pain from bee stings. Growing everywhere from backyards to bluff sides, goldenrod is a one-step solution to feeling radiant.