The ancient Appalachian folk remedies that were once believed in are like the morning mist blowing gently in the mountains, with a bit of mystery and tenderness, deeply engraved in the hearts of this land and people. They are not only methods of treating diseases, but also life wisdom passed down from generation to generation, containing the awe and utilization of natural forces.
I remember that my grandmother always loved to shake the cattail leaf fan and whisper about those ancient remedies under the old oak tree in the backyard in the summer evening. She said that when the summer heat makes people restless, you can take the honeysuckle leaves that have not dispersed in the morning dew, rub them gently and apply them to the forehead. The coolness can instantly dispel the heat and return the mind to tranquility. This is not only a physical cooling, but also a baptism of the soul, making people seem to hear the purest voice of nature.
Or in winter, when the cold wind is biting and the joint pain is unbearable, my grandmother will take me through the woods to find the legendary “warm body grass”-a plant that looks ordinary but contains warm power. Mash the rhizome, mix it with warm honey, and apply it to the painful area. Soon, a warm current will surge from deep in the skin, dispelling the cold and pain, as if the warm winter sun has arrived early. This is not only a physical relief, but also an ode to the tenacious spirit of life.
People in the Appalachian Mountains also believe that food is the best medicine. In spring, when everything comes back to life, grandmothers will collect wild dandelions and make tea with them, saying that they can clear away heat and detoxify and purify the blood; in summer, it is a feast of blueberries, which are not only delicious, but also can enhance immunity and protect eyesight; in autumn, pumpkins and pumpkin seeds become regular guests on the table, and their rich nutrients are of great benefit to physical health; as for winter, a bowl of hot venison soup can not only warm the body and drive away the cold, but also contain the wildness and power of the mountains and forests, allowing people to feel the vitality of life in the cold.