Herbal Encyclopedia

Common Medicinal Herbs For Natural Health

Yerba Santa

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Botanical Name

  • Family Hydrophyllaceae
  • Eriodictyon californicum

Common Names

  • Yerba Sante
  • Bear’s Weed
  • Consumptive’s Weed
  • Eriodictyon
  • Gum Bush
  • Holy Herb
  • Mountain Balm
  • Sacred Herb
  • Tarweed

Cautions

  • None listed

Description

Native to Oregon, California, and northern Mexico, this aromatic herb is a sticky evergreen shrub, growing to eight feet. Its narrow, lance-shaped leaves are shiny green on the upper side and hairy white underneath. It also produces clusters of trumpet-shaped white, blue or lavender flowers that grow at the top of the plant. The fruit produced is a small, oval, grayish-brown seed capsule containing shriveled black seeds. The bush flourishes on dry, mountain slopes at altitudes up to 4,000 feet.

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History

The name, Yerba Santa, is Spanish for “holy weed,” which was given to the plant by Spanish colonists. They learned of its medicinal value from Native Americans, who used it to treat coughs, colds, sore throats, mucus, and asthma. Many tribes dried and smoked the leaves as a treatment for asthma and lung congestion.

The Eclectic Medical Journal featured an article on the herb in 1875, and it was listed in the US Pharmacopoeia in 1894.

Key Actions

  • Expectorant
  • Mild diuretic

Key Components

  • Volatile oil
  • Flavonoids (including eriodictyol)
  • Resin

Medicinal Parts

  • Leaves

Traditional Uses

This aromatic herb has a sweet taste, and is a valuable expectorant in treating tracheitis, bronchitis, asthma, and any similar respiratory ailment.

It was used to treat coughs, colds, and such other respiratory conditions as fevers.

Infusions were also used to ease fevers and the mashed leaves were applied as a poultice to treat sores.

Yellow Dock

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Botanical and Common Names

  • Family Polygonaceae
  • Rumex crispus (Yellow Dock, Curled dock, Curly-leaf Dock, Rumex, Sad Dock; Spanish: Lengua de Vaca, Yerba Colorado, Raiz Colorado; Nahuatl: Arlinan, Axixpatlicóztic)
  • Rumex aquaticus (Water Dock)
  • Rumex acetosella (Sheep’s Sorrel, Sorrel, Garden Sorrel)
  • Rumex alpinus (Monk’s Rhubarb)
  • Rumex obtusifolius (Broad-Leaved Dock)

Cautions

  • Yellow dock should not be taken by those with a tendency to develop kidney stones.
  • Excessive intake can irritate the intestinal tract.

Description

Indigenous to Europe and Africa, the dock varieties now grow wild in many regions of the world, thriving on dumps, roadsides, and in ditches. It is a perennial, growing from one to five feet with curled, lance-shaped leaves which alternate along the stem reaching lengths of up to ten inches. It has spikes of small, reddish, woody fruits. The plant turns a striking rust-red in the fall and during the winter. The dead stalks and heavy seed panicles at the top of the stem are easily recognizable. The reddish-brown root is shaped something like a carrot; and, inside, the colour is a yellowish-orange. The darker the yellow, the stronger the medicinal qualities of the root. The root is dug up in autumn, chopped, and dried.

History

In the past, the leaves were eaten as a spring tonic, but now only the root is used. It was also used as a salad vegetable and a cooked green.

The early settlers to North America quickly learned about poison ivy. One old-time cure was boiled yellow burdock mixed with vinegar and applied to the sores.

The Iroquois used tea made from the roots to treat upset stomach, kidney problems, and general bowel problems. Many tribes, including the Blackfoot, Paiute, and Shoshone, used the herb topically by applying the mashed root to sores and swellings.

Sorrel is an ingredient of a Native American anticancer remedy known as Essiac, which also includes burdock, slippery elm, and Chinese rhubarb. Western herbalists learned of it early in the 20th century when a Canadian nurse observed the recovery of a breast cancer patient who had used the formula some twenty years previously. This nurse began using it with great success; and, despite attempts to extract the formula for financial gain, she stood firm in giving it out to whomever needed it without charge. Despite the successful treatments, no proper clinical trials have ever been undertaken when it was understood that it could not be exploited.

Apparently, the shape and reddish colour of the root must have reminded someone of a cow’s tongue and thereby named it “Lengua de vaca”.

The Aztecs called it “atlinan”, meaning “its mother is water”. This referred to the plant’s preferance in growing in streambeds. They also called it “axixpatlicóztic”, meaning “yellow urine medicine,” which referred to its use as a diuretic.

In a 1629 treatise entitled Heathen Superstitions That Today Live Among the Indians Native to This New Spain, a cleric described an Aztec remedy using the herb in an enema to treat stomachache and fever. The roots and leaves were also ground and sprinkled on wounds and sores.

In Europe, the herb has been used as a purgative since the time of the ancient Greeks. Dock leaves were also used to treat scrofulous sores, sore eyes, and glandular swellings. To cure itchy skin, the leaves were bruised, mixed with butter, lard, or cream, and placed on the area.

The Mennonites used the plant as a blood purifier and treated many liver ailments with it.

Ancient Arab physicians recommended the plant for hepatitis and poor digestion.

Although considered by many to be another useless weed, it is one often targeted by herbicide producers, along with other medicinal “weeds”, including the dandelion and burdock.

Key Actions

  • astringent
  • detoxifies
  • diuretic
  • mild laxative
  • stimulates bile flow
  • tonic

Key Components

  • anthraquinones (up to 4% nepodin, emodin, chrysaphanol, and physcion)
  • tannins
  • oxylates
  • volatile oil
  • vitamins (A, B, and C)
  • minerals (especially manganese, phosphorus, calcium, iron, magnesium, and selenium)

Medicinal Parts

  • Aerial parts, leaves, roots
  • Isolated anthraquinones are irritants and have a laxative effect.
  • Scientific examination has found the plant to inhibit Escherichia, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus.

Traditional Uses

All members are used as a detoxifying herb; and the fresh juice has a notable diuretic effect, as well as being mildly laxative. The anthraquinones have a purgative effect on the colon; and, although not as strong as Chinese rhubarb or Cascara, it is a mild alternative. It is quite effective when used with licorice for constipation. Short term use of decoctions internally, not only relieve constipation, but are also used for boils by mixing an equal amount of yellow dock, burdock, and red clover.

It was used for such ailments as stomach and liver ailments and to purify the blood. The root is said to be an effective treatment for post-hepatitis flareups and difficulty in processing fatty foods. It stimulates the flow of bile, thereby enhancing digestion and getting rid of toxic wastes. Such cleansing is used to treat a number of conditions marked by stagnant toxins in the body including acne, boils, eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections, sluggish digestion, constipation, arthritic and rheumatic conditions. It also holds potential as a long-term treatment for chronic disease, especially that of the gastrointestinal tract.

It is commonly used for acute and chronic inflammation of the nasal passages, throat, and respiratory tract, as well as for wounds and abrasions, gum problems, and headache.

Used along with other herbs, it is an antibacterial adjuvant.

The leaves of all species, but especially the Broad-leaved Dock, are used as an antidote to nettle stings, with the leaf being rubbed over the affected area.

Various cultures around the world have used yellow dock for ailments ranging from cancer and tuberculosis to syphilis and leprosy, and ringworm and hemorrhoids.

In India, the juice from the roots are used for toothaches, while the powdered root is used for gingivitis and as a dentifrice.

The Maoris of New Zealand chew the leaf first then apply it to wounds, which, they claim, will heal without scaring.

Mixed with equal parts of sarsaparilla, dandelion root, burdock, oregon grape root, and figwort, yellow dock is effective in treating psoriasis.

St. John’s Wort

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St. John's wort flowerBotanical Name

  • Family Guttiferae [Hypericaceae]
  • Hypericum perforatum

Common Names

  • Hardhay, Amber, Goatweed, Klamath Weed, Tipton Weed, St. John’s Word, St. Johnswort, Witches’ Herb, Y Fendigedig (Welsh), Balm of Warrior’s Wounds, Devil’s Scourge, Touch and Heal, Lord God’s Wonder Plant, st johns wort, St. John’s wort.

Cautions

It can cause dermatitis or photo-sensitivity after taking it internally and then exposing the skin to the sun.

Contact dermatitis can be caused if handling the plant in moist, but sunny, conditions.

Drug Interactions: Do not take in conjunction with MAO inhibitors or other antidepressants, including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, lithium, Demerol, or destromethorphan, a common ingredient in cough syrups. The combination can result in a very dangerous reaction called serotonin syndrome, marked by a high fever, confusion, muscle rigidity, diarrhea, and possible death.

Description

Native to Britain and Europe, the herb now grows wild throughout most of the world. It is found in meadows, on banks, and by roadsides, preferring chalky soils and sunny positions. The herb is an erect perennial that grows to about thirty-two inches and produces bright yellow flowers that form in a flat-topped cluster and display tiny black dots on the petals and sepals. The flowers are harvested in mid-summer.

History

Since at least the 5th century BCE, the herb has had a reputation as a wound herb. It is said that the herb was given its name from the Knights of St. John’s of Jerusalem who used it to treat wounds on the Crusades battlefields.

It is also said that it received its name from squeezing the dots on the flowers. When squeezed, the dots ooze a red pigment that is said to represent the blood of St. John the Baptist. The plant traditionally blooms by June 24, which is also associated with John the Baptist, according to the Catholic calendar.

It was believed that the herb dispelled evil spirits, and the insane were often forced to drink infusions made from the plant.

According to the Doctrine of Signatures, because the herb was yellow, it was associated with “choleric” humors and used for jaundice and hysteria.

Old herbals often refer to Tutsan (H. androsaemum) from the French toutsain, or heal-all, which was also used to treat injuries and inflammations.

Although it fell into disuse in the 19th century, it has recently regained prominence as an extremely valuable remedy for nervous problems.

Used for hundreds of years by the Klamath, Nez Perce, Umatilla, Yakima, and other Native American tribes, this herb has a calming effect on the nerves, but is also considered a stimulant by some herbalists.

Dioscorides, Paul of Aegina, Pliny, Galen have all referred to the plant as one that relieves excessive pain, removes the effects of shock, and has a tonic effect on the mind and body. As such, it is especially valuable for post-surgical pain.

When it arrived in the New World, it quickly took over vast tracts of land, especially in the Pacific Northwest where it was known as the Klamath weed. Cattle loved, it but those that ate large quantities became sun-sensitive and ultimately developed severe sunburn. When herbacides failed to control its growth in 1946, an Australian beetle, that also loves the herb, was imported; and, within a decade, the weed was declared under control. As with anything introduced against nature, the beetle thrived to the point that it is now threatening commercial growths now that the herb has become popular.

Key Actions

  • astringent
  • analgesic
  • anti-inflammatory
  • antidepressant
  • antispasmodic
  • antiviral
  • antibacterial
  • antidiarrheal
  • antitumor
  • restorative tonic for the nervous system
  • sedative
  • stimulates bile flow

Key Components

  • glycosides
  • flavonoids (including rutin)
  • volatile oils
  • tannins
  • resins

Medicinal Parts

Aerial parts

A number of Hypericum species contain hypericin, but in smaller quantities than St. John s Wort.

St. John’s Wort and several Hypericum species have shown antitumor activities in animals and at least seventeen species have demonstrated antibacterial properties in vitro. Some species show antifungal activity and at least seven show antiviral properties.

Extracts of H. perforatum have produced antidiarrheal, sedative, antitumor, and diurectic actions.

Hypericin, an active substance in the herb, is thought to increase circulating levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter instrumental in controlling mood by selectively preventing its reuptake by cells. This mechanism of action is similar to that of Prozac, Zoloft, and other antidepressants. It may also inhibit MAO, a brain enzyme that destroys seratonin, epinephrine, and dopamine, the mood-elevating neurotransmitters.

Remedies

Infusions are used for anxiety, nervous tension, irritability or emotional upsets, especially if associated with menopause or premenstrual syndrome.

Tinctures are taken for at least two months for long-standing nervous tension leading to exhaustion and depression. They are also used in cases of childhood bedwetting.

Washes from infusions are used to bathe wounds, skin sores, and bruises.

Creams made from the flowering tops are used for localized nerve pain (sciatica, sprains, and cramps) or to help relieve breast engorgement during lactation. The cream can also be used as an antiseptic and styptic on scrapes, sores, and ulcers.

Infused oils from the flowering tops can be used on burns and muscle or joint inflammations, including tennis elbow, neuralgia, and sciatica. A few drops of lavender oil can be added for burns, or mixed with yarrow oil to treat joint inflammations.

Traditional Uses

The red colour of the infused oil is caused by hypericin, which is strongly antidepressant and so strongly antiviral that it is being researched for treatment of the AIDS virus. It is also an excellent antiseptic, and used on wounds, burns, and to relieve cramps and nerve pain.

It is one of the most valuable European medicinal plants for nervous problems. Herbalists have long used it to treat anxiety, tension, insomnia, and depression especially associated with menopause.

Although widely used to treat depression, it is also helpful in alleviating fatigue and seems effective in helping menstrual cramps and PMS.

There is also some evidence that it can fight HIV. Contemporary herbalists are now using it to treat AIDS and other immunosuppressed conditions.

It is also a valuable tonic for the liver and gallbladder.

Infused oil is useful in treating gastric inflammation and peptic ulcers. Infused oil from these yellow flowers turns a blood-red during the steeping process. Cold-pressed safflower, walnut, or sunflower oil is used then left in the sun for a few weeks (usually about six).

Learn more about St. John’s Wort including drug interactions on our Cloverleaf Farm Blog.

View St. John’s wort products at Cloverleaf Farm.

Feverfew

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Botanical and Common NamesFeverfew herb

  • Family Asteraceae (formerly Compositae)
  • Chrysanthemum parthenium syn. Tanacetum parthenium (Feverfew, Featherfew, Featherfoil, Midsummer Daisy)
  • Spanish: Altamisa Mexicana, Santa Maria, Yerba de Santa Maria

Cautions

  • Do not take during pregnancy.
  • The plant is restricted in some countries because it carries a risk of toxicity and should be used only under the guidance of a knowledgeable herbalist.
  • Some experts warn against taking feverfew along with such blood-thinning drugs as aspirin and warfarin (Coumadin), antimigraine drugs, high doses of vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, calcium channel blockers, and ticlopidine (Ticlid).
  • Since feverfew has a mild anticoagulant effect, combining it with anti-clotting products may result in bleeding problems.

Description

Native to southeastern Europe, feverfew is now common throughout Europe, Australia, and North America. Tansy is found throughout the temperate zones in the northern hemisphere, growing in open areas, along roadsides, and close to water.

Both are herbaceous perennials growing to two or three feet in height and producing numerous strongly aromatic, clusters of yellow, daisylike flowers. They also have an erect stem and feathery compound leaves. Feverfew is a close relative of chamomile and is often confused with chamomile; but, unlike chamomile, whose flowers contain medicinal oils, the therapeutic ingredients of feverfew are found in the leaves. The leaves are picked as required, while the aerial parts, as a whole, are harvested in summer when the plant is in flower.

History

The name feverfew is derived from the Latin term febrifugia, which means to “drive out fevers”.

The use of feverfew as a migraine remedy is credited to the wife of a Welsh doctor. It is said that she ended her 50-year history of such headaches with a course of feverfew.

It has been used since Roman times to induce menstruation and given during difficult birth to aid in the expulsion of the placenta.

Dioscorides, an ancient Greek physician, gave it to women during childbirth to increase uterine contractions and to speed the birth process.

Culpeper stated, in 1653, that the main use for the herb was for women’s complaints.

For centuries, it was used to lower fevers, treat infant colic, depression, vertigo, kidney stones, and constipation. It is also used as an insect repellent and to treat minor skin wounds and to relieve the pain of arthritis.

Although not mentioned in surviving classical texts, tansy was described by medieval herbalists, notably Hildegard of Bingen in the 12th century and onward. It has since been the most common worm-expelling plant used.

Gerard also wrote that feverfew was an effective headache remedy.

Cotton Mather, an American clergyman and writer of the 1700s, recommended chewing feverfew to ease a toothache.

Key Actions

  • analgesic
  • antirheumatic
  • bitter
  • promotes menstral flow
  • reduces fever

 

Key Components

  • volatile oil (alpha-pinene)
  • sesquiterpene lactones (parthenolide)
  • sesquiterpenes (camphor)
  • vitamins and minerals (especially niacin and thiamin, chromium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium)

Medicinal Parts

Aerial parts

A detailed scientific investigation in Britain, in the 1980s, demonstrated its effectiveness for migraine headaches, reducing the number and severity of these attacks, as well as the degree of vomiting that often accompanies the condition. They found that parthenolide works against migraine headaches by reducing blood platelet activity and the release of histamines and prostaglandins, body chemicals that are instrumental in the inflammation and sudden widening of the blood vessels in the head. It also helps prevent the fluctuations in levels of serotonin, another chemical that is instrumental in migraine symptoms. These substances and effects may also explain the herb’s ability to reduce menstrual cramps and to relieve arthritic pain and inflammation.

Feverfew seems to be more effective as a preventative rather than relieving full-blown symptoms of migraine headaches. While the vomiting and other symptoms were milder, there was no change in the duration of the headaches according to one study. It should be noted that the quality of many commercial feverfew products is very uneven. Some lab analysis found little or none of the active ingredient, parthenolide.

Traditional Uses

As a preventative for migraines and as an alternative to taking pills that may have little or none of the active ingredients, it is recommended that chewing two or three of the dried leaves per day would be a better choice, although regular use can cause mouth ulcers. At such times, it would be best to switch to a tea.

Feverfew can be a mild sedative and euphoric and is occasionally added to compounds for the relief of nervous tension. In large doses, it can sedate those suffering from nervous hysteria, but may produce some side effects. However, moderate doses are completely safe.

Strong teas made from the leaves are used to treat skin inflammations and minor wounds.

Calendula

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CalendulaBotanical Names

  • Family Asteraceae (formerly Compositae)
  • Calendula officinalis

Common Names

  • Marigold, Pot marigold, Holligold/Holigold, Goldbloom/Gold-bloom, Golds, Mary Bud/Marybud, Ruddes, Mary Gowles, Garden/English/African/American/Aztec Marigold
  • Spanish: Caléndula, Mercadela, Coronilla, Virreyna Caléndula, Cempasúchil, Pericón, Flor de Muerto, Cincollagas
  • Nahuatl: Cempoalxóchitl
  • Maya: Ix-ti-pu

Cautions

  • Calendula should not be taken internally during pregnancy.
  • When growing or picking calendula flowers, make sure the plants are Calendula officinalis and not Tagetes species, of which the French, African, and Mexican marigolds are common. They have different properties and must not be used for herbal teas. Instead, those plants are used for warts and also as insecticides or weedkillers.

Description

Native to southern Europe and parts of Asia, calendula is now cultivated worldwide as a popular item in home gardens as it attracts bees for pollination and keeps harmful insects away from other plants. The herb is an annual, growing to about two feet in height with vivid orange to yellow flower heads similar in structure to the daisy. The Calendula genus is native to the Mediterranean. The native American marigold looks very similar and belongs to the Tagetes genus.

History

Calendula was named by the ancient Romans, who observed that the plant was in bloom on the first day (Latin: kalends) of every month. They looked upon the plants nonstop-blooming as a symbol of joy, and cultivated it in their gardens to spread happiness. The regular supply of fresh petals and young leaves contributed to its frequent use.

Ancient Egyptians valued it as a rejuvenating herb.

Hindus used it to decorate temple altars.

Persians and Greeks garnished and flavored food with the flower petals.

The Germans added handfuls of the flowers to their soups and broths to add body, color, and strength, and hence the nickname of “pot marigold”. Europeans have also long used it to flavor soups and stews and to color butter and cheese.

During the American Civil War, doctors on the battlefield used the flowers on a large scale to treat open wounds. It proved effective as an antiseptic, staunching the bleeding, preventing infection, and speeding the healing of wounds. The practice continued by doctors during WWI.

Medieval monks prescribed it for bowel problems, liver complaints, and insect or snake bites.

Aemilius Macer’s 12th century herbal, which was published throughout the 13th and 14th centuries, recommended simply looking at the plant to improve eyesight, clearing the head, and encouraging cheerfulness (not a bad idea!).

During the 17th century, Culpeper advocated it to “strengthen the heart” and for smallpox and measles.

The Aztec marigold was highly esteemed in pre-Hispanic Mexico for its ability to heal many infirmities and used the flowers in many of their rituals. One historical account describes armloads of them being carried in ceremonies honoring their gods. Mayan priests washed their hands and faces with a tea of the leaves and flowers before calling on the spirits. It is still used in celebrations of the Day of the Dead when they are strewn over graves and home altars. Today, this once-exalted plant has been reduced to feed for chickens, giving a bright yellow color to the yolks and to the skin of the chickens themselves.

Key Actions

  • anti-inflammatory
  • astringent
  • antiseptic
  • antibacterial
  • antiviral
  • anti-fungal
  • detoxifies
  • heals wounds
  • mildly estrogenic
  • menstrual regulator
  • prevent hemorrhaging
  • relieve muscle spasms
  • stimulates bile production

Key Components

  • bitter glycosides
  • carotones
  • essential oils
  • flavonoids
  • mucilage
  • resins
  • sterols
  • triterpenes
  • volatile oil

Medicinal Parts

  • Flower heads and petals
  • The more vivid the color, the higher is the level of active medicinal ingredients.
  • A related wild species, C. arvense, seems to have similar therapeutic properties.

Remedies

  • many uses for infusions (see below)
  • ointments to heal minor burns and sores
  • creams for cuts and scrapes, as well as dry eczema and sunburn
  • infused oil for inflamed, dry skin, chilblains, and hemorrhoids
  • tinctures for eczema, or taken to stimulate the liver and digestion
  • fresh petals added to bathwater to leave the skin soft, while healing minor irritants
  • infused oil soothe inflammations, chilblains, and cracked nipples from breastfeeding
  • compresses applied to slow-healing wounds
  • poultices from the leaves for gouty swellings
  • infused oil suppositories for vaginal yeast infections
  • gargle for sore throats and to relieve the pressure in congested ears.

Traditional Uses

Calendula is one of the most well-known and versatile herbs in Western herbal medicine. Infusions are commonly used to treat such chronic fungal infections as ringworm or oral thrush, as an effective douche for vaginal yeast infections, to aid digestion, menopausal problems, menstrual pain, and esophogeal inflammations, and as a mouthwash, to heal gums after a tooth extraction, mouth ulcers, and gum inflammations.

This plant has a particular affinity for women. Taken regularly, marigold tea is helpful for painful periods, tender ovaries, blocked tubes, and in maintaining equilibrium during menopause. It has a mild estrogenic action often effective in reducing menstrual pain and regulating menstrual bleeding. When taken regularly, calendula will clear up cellulite, especially if used in conjunction with massage.

Taken internally, calendula helps inflammatory digestive system problems, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, regional ileitis, and colitis. It is also useful in expelling amoebas and intestinal worms and such fungal infections as candidiasis.

It is best known as an antiseptic, astringent, and an antimicrobial used on cuts, wounds, skin infections, varicose veins and hemorrhoids. It is especially helpful with fungal conditions, including athlete’s foot, thrush, diaper rash, and cradle cap. It also helps sore nipples from breast feeding.

Calendula has long been used as a detoxifying herb and for helping to treat the cause of such conditions characterized by fever and infection. The herb is also effective for cleansing the liver and gallbladder.

If taken as a hot infusion, it promotes sweating, thereby helping to relieve fevers while improving blood and lymphatic circulation, thus enabling the body to expel toxins.

View Cloverleaf Farm organic products containing Calendula by clicking here.

Blackberry

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Botanical Names

  • Family Rosaceae
  • Rubus fruticosus
  • Rubus villosus

Common Names

  • American Dewberry, Bramble, Brambleberry, Goutberry, High Blackberry, Thimbleberry

Cautions

  • None listed.

Description

Native to temperate areas of Europe and now naturalized in the Americas and Australia, growing along roads, in open areas, and woodlands. The plant is a sprawling, prickly shrub, growing to twelve feet having palm-shaped leaves with three to five lobes, white to pale pink flowers, and clusters of large, black berries that contain numerous edible, but crunchy, seeds.

History

In the 1st century CE, Dioscorides recommended blackberries in a gargle for sore throats, a practice that remains today.

In European folk medicine, the leaves have long been used for washing and staunching the bleeding of wounds.

In parts of England, arching blackberry runners that had rooted at both ends were credited with magical properties. Children with hernias were pushed under these arches for a magical cure.

The Kiowa-Apache, Cherokee, Chippewa, Ojibwa, Menominee, Delaware, and Iroquois all have used decoctions to treat diarrhea. The Chippewa used a tea to treat lung conditions. The Cherokee found that the root made an effective topical wash to relieve the discomfort of hemorrhoids.

Key Actions

  • astringent
  • antidiarrheal

Key Components

(a) Leaves

  • tannins (8-14% mainly gallo tannins, dimeric ellagitannins)
  • flavonoids
  • fruit acids (gallic, citric, isocitric)

(b) Fruit

  • anthocyanins
  • pectin
  • fruit acids
  • vitamin C

(c) Roots

  • saponins
  • tannins

Medicinal Parts

  • Leaves, berries, roots.

Traditional Uses

  • Since the plant is strongly astringent, infusions are used to relieve diarrhea.
  • As a mouthwash, it is used to strengthen spongy gums and ease mouth ulcers. The berries make a pleasant gargle for swallowing.
  • Poultices or compresses are used externally on wounds and bruises.
  • Decoctions are used to relieve diarrhea and hemorrhoids. The tannins in the herb, not only tighten tissue, but also help to control minor bleeding.

For educational purposes only.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.