INdigenous Bush medicines
Indigenous Bush Medicines were used by Aboriginals to try and find cures to a variety of symptoms. Bush medicines were found by Aboriginals in the flora and fauna found within the rainforest. These discoveries and methods were passed down throughout generations of knowledge.
Types of bush medicines
Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Tea tree oil was widely used by the Indigenous for its powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Tea tree oil is clinically proven to clear and hydrate which is why it is still being used today.
Tea tree oil was widely used by the Indigenous for its powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Tea tree oil is clinically proven to clear and hydrate which is why it is still being used today.
Weeping paperbark (M. leucadendra and M. cajuputi)
Weeping paperbark produces aromatic cajuput oil which was used to stimulate cells in the throat. This produced more lubricating fluids, easing irritations. Weeping paperbark leaves were also used traditionally for treatment of coughs, colds, sores and burns. These were crushed, inhaled or soaked in water to create infusion.
Weeping paperbark produces aromatic cajuput oil which was used to stimulate cells in the throat. This produced more lubricating fluids, easing irritations. Weeping paperbark leaves were also used traditionally for treatment of coughs, colds, sores and burns. These were crushed, inhaled or soaked in water to create infusion.
Cotton tree (hibiscus tiliaceus)
Cotton tree was used by Aboriginals as a dressing on wounds. It was heated over a fire and pressed on and injury until it would stick. This would stop the flow of blood. The bark off the stem was also used for congested chests and used by a mother delivering her baby.
Cotton tree was used by Aboriginals as a dressing on wounds. It was heated over a fire and pressed on and injury until it would stick. This would stop the flow of blood. The bark off the stem was also used for congested chests and used by a mother delivering her baby.
Banana bush (Tabernaemontana pandacaqui)
Banana bush was traditionally used on sores and wounds. However, recent studies shows that these plants contain compounds of proteolytic enzymes. These plants are very risky as there is a fine line between harmful and helpful chemicals. The latex these plants contains can cause blindness and other related plants are highly poisonous.
Banana bush was traditionally used on sores and wounds. However, recent studies shows that these plants contain compounds of proteolytic enzymes. These plants are very risky as there is a fine line between harmful and helpful chemicals. The latex these plants contains can cause blindness and other related plants are highly poisonous.
Macaranga (Macarange tanarius)
Macaranga latex is very sticky and waterproof and was traditionally used on deep cuts. This holds the skin together like stitches.
Macaranga latex is very sticky and waterproof and was traditionally used on deep cuts. This holds the skin together like stitches.
Sandpaper fig (Ficus opposite)
The sandpaper fig was used for its rough, sandpaper leaves. They were used traditionally to treat fungal skin infections such as ringworm. The affected skin was abraded with the leaves until it was quite raw. The area was then covered with the milky latex from the plant.
The sandpaper fig was used for its rough, sandpaper leaves. They were used traditionally to treat fungal skin infections such as ringworm. The affected skin was abraded with the leaves until it was quite raw. The area was then covered with the milky latex from the plant.
Pandanus trees (Pandanus spiralis)
The core of the truck of pandanus tress were traditionally used by the Indigenous for a number of complaints. They were pounded and/or boiled mainly for diarrhoea and stomach pain. They were also used for mouth sores, toothache, headaches and the flu.
The core of the truck of pandanus tress were traditionally used by the Indigenous for a number of complaints. They were pounded and/or boiled mainly for diarrhoea and stomach pain. They were also used for mouth sores, toothache, headaches and the flu.