Share your recipes and stories!
We’re excited to announce that we are working to put together a book of our Melungeon and mixed-heritage ancestors’ herbal remedies. If you have one (or several) to share, please do that by filling out the form below. After gathering these recipes and any related stories, we’ll be selecting some of those to include in our book – or we may just publish them all!
By checking the box at the bottom of the form, you’ll be giving us permission to share yours with our readers. We’ve added the option to [Save & Continue] in case you need more time.
Appalachian folk medicine is a blend of the herbal traditions of Indigenous, African, and European peoples and runs deeper in our roots than many of us remember. Passed down through generations, these remedies and the stories that accompany them offer a glimpse into the lives, experiences, and wisdom of our ancestors. They are more than recipes—they are living connections to our shared heritage, preserving the knowledge, traditions, and resourcefulness that helped our families care for one another in their isolated mountain communities. By preserving the herbal knowledge and healing traditions of our Melungeon and other Appalachian forebears, we honor their wisdom, perseverance, and deep connection to the land they called home.
Many of these traditions were shared around kitchen tables, on front porches, and through the care of family and neighbors. Through collecting and sharing these remedies, we help ensure that the knowledge of our ancestors is not lost to time and can be passed on to future generations.
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