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When one thinks of the Ozarks and herbal medicine, the first person who comes to mind is Granny Clampett and her “Doctorin’ Yarbs“. Visions of her conjuring up some fantastic potion, and the hilarious results, were the basis of much of the fun poked at the Hillbillies who “Loaded up the truck and moved to Beverly.” In reality, herbal medicine was a necessary way of life for this very isolated and disadvantaged part of our country.
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 Doctors were scarce until just a few short years ago, and many times the only medicine that was available came from the plants and trees found on the hillsides and in the valleys of these isolated communities.
When paved roads and conveniences finally came to the Arkansas Ozark area, herbal cures fell out of favor. The younger generation became accustomed to modern medicine, and the “Old Timers” treatments were passed over for college educated “medical professionals.” Knowledge that had been inherited for hundreds of years was in danger of being lost forever.
In the 1970’s a group of people with a vision, led by country singer Jimmy Driftwood, decided that the old ways should be preserved in one location. The need for a vanishing way of life to have a place to exist, and educate people ‘from off’, was essential to these insightful men and women. They went before Congress and pled their case to our government to help fund such an institution, and the Ozark Folk Center was created. Music, crafts, gardens, and storytelling were the foundation upon which this cultural center in the town of Mountain View, Arkansas was built.
One of the focal points of the Folk Center is it’s extensive Herbal and Kitchen Gardens . The plants are all grown in natural settings and done so organically. Fresh herbs are used for seasoning at the restaurant on the grounds, and herbal workshops are conducted during the year to better educate visitors.
As one wanders through the area, local volunteers will demonstrate various skills and crafts. Anything from harvesting herbs and proper drying techniques, to fresh cookies baked in a wood burning stove can be observed. The gracious local volunteers are more than delighted to explain what they are doing, and tell stories about the days passed. This is set to a backdrop of authentic mountain music playing in the air.
One of the most interesting parts of the herbal section of the Folk Center is the herb drying cabin. As the door opens into the diffused light, aromas of many plants waft through the dimness. Jars and bottles on shelves, and drying plants hung from the open rafters, attest to the sole purpose of this little log structure.
It’s almost like stepping back into the 19th Century. There is no electricity or running water. The only modern convenience is the small glass-paned windows that let in a filtered light. It sits nestled under a little rock ridge that has a lovely waterfall keeping the moisture loving herbs happily growing along it’s edges. Visitors are encouraged to touch, feel, smell, and taste their way around the gardens.
Tina Marie Wilcox is the Head Gardener and Herbalist in charge of the plantings at the Folk Center. She spoke about several of the plants and herbs that the mountain folk used in their everyday life. Many of these plants can sicken or kill those unfamiliar with their use, and no remedy should be ingested without proper education and supervision. Also, there are many similar looking plants in the fields and forests. Some are quite deadly. Only someone trained in harvesting herbs should attempt to gather them and prepare the treatments.
One of the most common plants used by the Ozark Folk was the Willow Tree. Tea made from the inner bark was a fever reducer and pain reliever. This is actually a mainstream medicine today, as the common aspirin is actually salicylic acid, originally derived from the Salix species, the Willow Tree.
Sassafras root was also used. Tea made from the roots were used as a blood purifier and spring tonic. This may have been fine for the Ozark folk, but Sassafras is dangerous when ingested in more than tiny amounts. A spoonful of the extract can kill a child. Safrole, found in the oil of the Sassafras, has been banned by the FDA and has carcinogenic properties.
Black Walnut hulls were used for their anti-fungal properties. A common treatment for ringworm was a poultice made from the crushed outer hulls. The inner bark was chewed for toothache, and made into tea which was a laxative. Black Walnut was also a popular substance used for dying fabric.
Poke Salet is a common plant with several uses. The young greens were cooked and eaten in the spring to promote general well-being. The berries were eaten in a prescribed number each year to ward off arthritis. Some accounts recommend only one berry per year, other accounts suggest a few more. Poke berry seeds are highly poisonous, and should never be considered a treatment for arthritis though. Poultice made with the leaves were used to treat wounds, pimples and blackheads. The purple juice from the berries were also a natural dye used by many people.
Elderberry is used for many purposes. The leaves were used to treat wounds, and stop bleeding. The berries were made into vinegar or wine and taken as a tonic. This was a treatment for colds and respiratory infections. The tonic also promoted sweating, which helped ’sweat out’ fevers or infections. In some countries, Elderberry is becoming an accepted treatment for colds and flu, as the flowers and fruit reduce fever, and increase bronchial secretions.
Goldenseal was used as an antibacterial agent. The powdered root was used as an eye wash and a dressing for wounds. It is a popular herb today also. It was mistakenly identified as a substance that could mask illegal substances, and produce a false negative in a drug test. This is absolutely not the case, but the Urban Legend persists with the unfortunate result that many of the wild plants being stripped from their woodland habitats. The wild population had diminished to the point that Goldenseal could now be considered endangered in some areas, and is regulated by the CITES List.
Root Diggers are still active throughout the Ozarks and many of our wild herbs have been over harvested to a point that they are getting harder and harder to find. Our native Ginseng has been shipped to Asia for many decades now, and like the Goldenseal, it’s numbers are becoming fragile.
The Folk Center was created to educate and inform it’s visitors about the customs and practices of the mountain folk in times gone by. It also exists to serve as a bridge to our futures. By teaching people respect and understanding about the past, generations to come will appreciate the importance of preserving the collective knowledge contained there. Much research is now being done in the field of botanical medicinal potential. We have a whole pharmacy just waiting for us in the hills and forests, if we listen to the voices from our past.
Granny Clampett was one wise lady.
Special thanks to Tina Marie Wilcox, Kathleen Connole, Alma Lee Sutterfield, Hazel Cross,
and all of the gracious people in Mountain View, Arkansas for their knowledge, hospitality, and family stories.
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I come from a long line of Kentuckians who love the Good Earth. I love to learn about every living thing, and love to share what I've learned. Photography is one of my passions, and all of the images in my articles are my own.
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Subject: Sassafras and other plants also native to TN
Posted by Gingham_farms (from Brentwood, TN) on January 17, 2008 at 9:20 PM:Growing up in the rural mountains of TN I have also had some exposure to wild edible plants and herbs. I have heard of sassafras tea all of my life, though I've never tried it. I have to say I was very surprised by the fact of its high toxicity. My family has a nursery and my mother mentioned a gentleman from LA contacting her desiring to purchase sassafras trees. He told her that they collected the leaves in fall and ground them to use in traditional Cajun cuisine. Another plant I am accustomed to hearing used as a spring tonic is Rat's vein (common name), a small evergreen plant that grows wild in the mountains near my home. And my grandmother often served Poke Salet mixed with turnip greens and scrambled eggs. Of course I must mention the fact that the berries make excellent dye, in elementary school I had a friend dye her bunny rabbit with them, now that I reflect on this I hope it didn't make the rabbit ill. And if old wives tales prove correct over handling of elderberry plants may induce nausea and vomiting. As Melody mentioned many plants are gathered from the wild to their detriment, wild Ginseng has also been collected from the mountains near my home. There are many wild plants that are wonderful for many different reasons, pieces and parts of these plants can be collected in a way that doesn't disrupt its environment, but I would be very cautious of ingesting any unfamiliar plant. Thanks for the great article. ...
Subject: Edible, medicinal herbs
Posted by kaziah (from Tulsa, OK) on January 7, 2008 at 12:22 PM:This is a passion of mine. I love making my own salves, teas, and using the herbs in cooking. More people should be involved or this art will be lost for all time.
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Subject: Loved this article
Posted by CajuninKy (from Inez, KY) on January 2, 2008 at 1:24 AM:Melody
I really enjoyed this article. I have been picking the brains of the locals here in eastern Ky since I moved here for just such information. I poke around in the woods seeing what I can find. I am still hoping to uncover some ramps and some fiddle head mushrooms.
How are you doing since the MVA? Hope you are well and that your Christmas and New Year celebrations went well.
Cajuninky ... Posted by doccat5 (from Fredericksburg, VA) on January 2, 2008 at 6:33 AM: What an interesting article. I'm going to forward this one to one of my Master Gardener classmates who is very interested in herbal remedies and all things associated with this subject. Lots of great information and kudos to the folks that were smart enough to see that this is a heritage that needed to be protected and preserved. ... Posted by terriculture (from london
(United Kingdom)) on January 2, 2008 at 7:52 AM: Melody, Thankyou for this interesting artical and information on herbs.
I used to love the Beverly Hillbilies!! It's not on here anymore. ... Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on January 2, 2008 at 8:33 AM: Fascinating article, some I knew about but not all of them. This was great, thanks. ... Posted by podster (from Deep East Texas, TX) on January 2, 2008 at 9:11 AM: I agree with CajuninKy ~ moved to this rural backwoods area 35+ years ago and love the heritage of it. The plants, their names and uses were new and unique to me. Digging deeper and IDing the plants makes me realize that this is the same type of area that you wrote of in the Ozarks. Most interesting and a place I would love to tour. Thank you! pod ... Posted by McGlory (from Southeast, NE) on January 2, 2008 at 10:32 AM: Great job, Melody. Jimmy Driftwood was a friend of my father's, but I didn't know anything about the Folk Center. We may have to take a vacation to Mountain View. My dad has been gone 20 years, but my mother and I would love to see it! I'm sending your article to her. ... Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on January 2, 2008 at 11:21 AM: Thanks everyone!
We go to Mt. View every October for my DH to play music with his friends from all over the country. We've been meeting there for the past 12 years.
We had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy a couple of years before he passed away. A nice fellow, and a true gentleman. Jimmy Driftwood's Music Barn is still having shows. Anyone can sign up to play. It's a big barn with a stage. No admission is charged, but an offering plate is passed, just like church, and the proceeds go toward paying utilities and upkeep. Jimmy's awards and Grammys are there also.
We love the town and the people of the area. It's one of our favorite places to go when we want to get away. Progress has come to Mt. View during the time that we've been going, but it's still such a small, friendly place where the locals are eager to share their hospitality and way of life.
[HYPERLINK@www.ozarkgetaways.com]
Here's a link to information about the area.
There was so much information that I gathered for this article, it was impossible to fit it all in this article. From the gracious ladies at the Folk Center who described what it was like growing up in the area, to the ladies at the Mt. View Chamber Of Commerce, who were so helpful.
I hope I wrote this article in an informed and respectful way, and I'm glad that ya'll enjoyed it.
... Posted by girlgroupgirl (from Atlanta, GA) on January 2, 2008 at 2:50 PM: Melody, I love reading anything about herbs - this was a great article!
Thanks!
girlgroupgirl ... Posted by MistyPetals (from North Augusta, SC) on January 2, 2008 at 2:51 PM: Great article, about two weeks ago my husband and I developed a stomach virus. Obviously, we share everything. lol
Anyway, to make a long story short, the 'medical' doctor prescribed something for the nausea but we continued to feel terrible. After quite enough of the vomiting and the irritated bowel, I went in search of goldenseal. The goldenseal worked like a charm and my husband returned to work feeling much, much better. Thanks for the article. Sometimes when I use herbs for various ailments, he look at me as though I'm a quack or sometthing. I know what I know and I know goldenseal works. Again, thanks for the article. I would love to visit the Ozarks. ... Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on January 2, 2008 at 6:49 PM: Very interesting Melody. There is certainly much that modern medicine can learn from the herbal practitioners. Thanks. ... Posted by pepper23 (from KC Metro area, MO) on January 2, 2008 at 10:20 PM: Great article Melody!! A part two would be a great addition to this one if you ever get the chance to do one. I loved reading about the uses of the herbs. ... Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on January 3, 2008 at 11:28 AM: I have enough information for a couple of more articles.Hopefully, during the year, I'll be able to tell ya''ll some more about the area.
Thanks for the compliments, the story was a joy to write. ... Posted by Cambium (from Tamarac, FL) on January 7, 2008 at 7:19 PM: I enjoyed this article very much! I'm proud to be a hillbilly from south of Harrison. When I lived up there I'd goto Mt. Home occasionally. My parents were raised in the hills & my daddy's love of wild things was passed to me. I used to roam the woods in search for plants to add to my collection to enjoy. I yearn for the green tang of Poke on my palate & the sweet, heady fragrance of fresh Sassafrass tea steeping in a my favorite tea cup! One day I hope to be able to return & I hope I'm able to have another yard full of lovely wild things!
~*~ Suenell ... Posted by roybird (from Santa Fe, NM) on January 8, 2008 at 5:02 PM: Thanx. Good article and hope to read more about local herbs from all over the U.S. ...
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