Today, I have four short
medicinal tree “monographs”. The photo is of Hickory, mainly because I’m very fond of hickory - I’m a real barbecue fanatic… low and slow over hardwood coals.
Broussonetia papyrifera, Paper-mulberry has been naturalized in my region. Plants for A Future states:
Medicinal use of Paper Mulberry: Astringent, diuretic, tonic, vulnerary. The leaf juice is diaphoretic and laxative - it is also used in the treatment of dysentery. It is also poulticed onto various skin disorders, bites etc. The stem bark is haemostatic. The fruit is diuretic, ophthalmic, stimulant, stomachic and tonic. The root is cooked with other foods as a galactogogue.
Carpinus, Hornbeam
Four Hornbeams have been used in herbal medicine: Carpinus betulus – Hornbeam, Carpinus caroliniana - American Hornbeam, Carpinus americana, Carpinus cordata Carpinus laxiflora
Only Carpinus caroliniana is
native to my area.
Hornbeam is in the Birch family and the uses of these
trees are similar. Native Americans were known to have used the bark as an astringent against diarrhea. The leaves may be used to stop bleeding and heal wounds. A Bach Flower Remedy utilizes Hornbeam for tiredness and exhaustion.
Virginia Ironwood, Ostrya virginiana, is closely related to the Hornbeams. It also grows in my region. Virginia Ironwood has more traditional use in herbal medicine, also likely finding its source in Native American practice. Its bark is astringent, but also analgesic – used for sore muscles, toothache, bruises and sprains. It is used as a blood tonic and for stopping bleeding and hemorrhage. Ironwood is also used for rheumatism and arthritis, as a soak.
Carya, Hickory
Eighteen varieties of Hickory may have medicinal use: Carya aquatica -
Water Hickory, Carya buckleyi, Carya californica, Carya carolinae-septentrionalis - Southern Shagbark, Carya cathayensis - Chinese Hickory, Carya cordiformis – Bitternut, Carya floridana - Scrub Hickory, Carya glabra - Sweet Pignut, Carya glabra megacarpa - Coastal Pignut, Carya illinoinensis, Carya laciniosa - Shellbark Hickory, Carya myristiciformis - Nutmeg Hickory, Carya ovalis - Sweet Pignut, Carya ovata - Shagbark Hickory, Carya pallida - Sand Hickory, Carya texana - Black Hickory, Carya tomentosa – Mockernut, Carya x laneyi
Twelve Hickories are native to my region: Carya aquatica (Water Hickory), Carya carolinae-septentrionalis (Carolina Shagbark Hickory), Carya cordiformis (Bitternut Hickory), Carya glabra var. glabra (Pignut Hickory), Carya glabra var. hirsuta (Hairy Pignut Hickory), Carya glabra var. megacarpa (Coastal Pignut Hickory), Carya laciniosa (Shellbark Hickory), Carya myristiciformis (Nutmeg Hickory) , Carya ovalis (Red Hickory, Sweet Pignut Hickory), Carya ovata (Shagbark Hickory), Carya pallida (Sand Hickory), Carya tomentosa (Mockernut Hickory)
Carya illinoinensis (Pecan) has been naturalized.
As you can see, Hickories are common and plentiful in North Carolina. Traditionally, their
wood has been very valuable both for furniture making and for smoking pork barbecue – two things for which my home state is very well known. The nuts though, are also very tasty, if you have the patience to shell them. The common name, “Mockernut Hickory” is no joke! Hickory is related to Walnut and Pecan, but much closer to walnut in flavor. The Pecan, however, is out most widely grown nut. Pecans are rich, sweet, meaty and easy to shell.
The bark is astringent and good for treating wounds. It is likely, that like Walnut, the leaves may have some vermifuge or anti-parasitic properties. All members of the Juglandaceae family secrete juglone from the
roots, a plant hormone that prevents most other plants from growing close
enough to the tree to compete for resources such as sunlight, water and space. Traditionally, it is believed the juglones are useful in making the human body inhospitable to worms and other parasites in a similar fashion. Hickory smoke was also used in the curing of meats, to prevent infestation by insects. One thing I know for sure though, hickory smoke makes any meat taste fantastic when cooked low and slow!
Resources of the Southern Fields and Forests states:
The barks are astringent. Mr. Fred. Stearns, of Detroit, has called attention to the bark of the several species of Hickory, in his paper on the medicinal plants of Michigan, published in the Proc. Am. Pharm. Assoc, 1859, p. 249. Mr. Chaffinbury, of the same State, had found great advantage from chewing the inner bark in dyspepsia, and has used a tincture made from the same bark in intermittent fever. Many in the neighborhood used it, the infusion also being found equally etfectual. U. S. Disp., 12th Ed.
Baccharis halimifolia, Bush Groundsel
Halimifolia is the only Baccharis found in my region, but four are used in herbal medicine: Baccharis halimifolia - Bush Groundsel, Baccharis patagonica, Baccharis pilularis - Dwarf Chaparral, Baccharis viminea - Mule's Fat
Honestly, I’d like to have a plant called “Mule’s Fat” in my landscape just for the name, alone! As for the Bush Groundsel though, it is mainly a hedge plant. This is another I would consider to be more of a shrub.
Medicinally, the Bush Groundsel has been used for coughs and lung ailments. It is demulcent and calming to the lungs.
This article is an excerpt from The Medicinal Trees of the American South, An Herbalist's Guide: by Judson Carroll
His New book is:
Growing Your Survival Herb Garden for Preppers, Homesteaders and Everyone Else
Read About Growing Your Survival Herb Garden for Preppers, Homesteaders and Everyone Else:
http://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/04/growing-your-survival-herb-garden-for.html
Available for purchase on Amazon:
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His other works include:
The Encyclopedia of Bitter Medicinal Herbs:
southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-encyclopedia-of-bitter-medicina.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09V3WCJM5
Christian Medicine, History and Practice:
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/01/christian-herbal-medicine-history-and.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09P7RNCTB
Herbal Medicine for Preppers, Homesteaders and
Permaculture People
southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2021/10/herbal-medicine-for-preppers.html
Also available on Amazon:
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Look Up: The Medicinal Trees of the American South, An Herbalist's Guide
http:///www.amazon.com/dp/1005082936
The Herbs and Weeds of Fr. Johannes Künzle:
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2021/05/announcing-new-book-herbs-and-weeds-of.html
Author: Judson Carroll. Judson Carroll is an Herbalist from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
His weekly articles may be read at judsoncarroll.com
His weekly podcast may be heard at: www.spreaker.com/show/southern-appalachian-herbs
He offers free, weekly herb classes:
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Disclaimer
The information on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing on this site has been evaluated or approved by the FDA. I am not a doctor. The US government does not recognize the practice of herbal medicine and their is no governing body regulating herbalists. Therefore, I'm just a guy who studies herbs. I am not offering any advice. I won't even claim that anything I write is accurate or true! I can tell you what herbs have "traditionally been used for." I can tell you my own
experience and if I believe an herb helped me. I cannot, nor would I tell you to do the same. If you use any herb I, or anyone else, mentions you are treating yourself. You take full responsibility for your health. Humans are individuals and no two are identical. What works for me may not work for you. You may have an allergy, sensitivity or underlying condition that no one else shares and you don't even know about. Be careful with your health. By continuing to read my blog you agree to be responsible for yourself, do your own research, make your own choices and not to blame me for anything, ever.