Medicinal Trees: Alnus, Alder

Sixteen varieties of Alder are used Medicinally: Alnus cordata - Italian Alder, Alnus glutinosa, Alnus hirsute, Alnus incana - Grey Alder, Alnus japonica - Japanese Alder, Alnus maritima - Seaside Alder, Alnus maximowiczii Family, Alnus nepalensis - Nepalese Alder, Alnus nitida, Alnus rhombifolia - White Alder, Alnus rubra - Red Alder, Alnus rugosa - Speckled Alder, Alnus serrulata - Smooth Alder, Alnus sinuata - Sitka Alder, Alnus tenuifolia - Mountain Alder, Alnus viridis crispa - American Green Alder 

Of these, only two grow in my region, Alnus serrulata (Hazel Alder, Tag Alder) and Alnus viridis crispa (Mountain Alder, Green Alder) 

The most common use of Alder bark is as a source of salicylic acid, the base from which aspirin was created. It is anodyne, febrifuge and analgesic. It is also emetic, astringent, hemostatic, stomatic and tonic. A poultice of the leaves may be used for sores and wounds and is useful against infection. 

Saint Hildegard states, “… if someone is a bit ulcerous on his skin, place new, fresh leaves of this tree on the ulcers. During that time it will become smoother.” 

Gerard wrote of Alder: 

A. The leaves of Alder are much used against hot swellings, ulcers, and all inward inflammations, especially of the almonds and kernels of the throat. 

B. The bark is much used of poor country dyers, for the dying of coarse cloth, caps, hose, and such like into a black colour, whereunto it serveth very well. 

Mrs. Grieve listed of Alder: 

Medicinal Action and Uses---Tonic and astringent. A decoction of the bark is useful to bathe swellings and inflammations, especially of the throat, and has been known to cure ague. 

Peasants on the Alps are reported to be frequently cured of rheumatism by being covered with bags full of the heated leaves. 

Horses, cows, sheep and goats are said to eat it, but swine refuse it. Some state that it is bad for horses, as it turns their tongues black. 

An Irish Herbal states: 

The bark or rind of it, because of its astringent quality is useful against swellings of the throat. It heals and cauterizes sores and ulcers. … and the leaves of it are made use of against ulcers and all kinds of inflammations. 

Brother Aloysius wrote of Alder: 

Alder bark is very rich in tannin, which makes it very astringent and febrifuge. The dose is 1/4th cup power in a glass of white wine, taken in the mornings on an empty stomach, while the patient is in bed, as this remedy causes excessive sweating. Decoction of alder is an excellent remedy for inflammation of the throat and tonsils. One should gargle four to six times a day. The fruit (alder buds) should be picked in October and bottled in gin; one tablespoon taken twice a day is a recommended remedy epilepsy. The bluish colored buds, picked in the spring, dried and taken in the form of a tea, are highly recommended for rheumatism. The fresh leaves, pounded and applied to ulcers, take away the burning and cause them to suppurate and heal. 

Herbal Remedies of the Lumbee Indians states: 

A handful of bark that was peeled from a tree that was knotty and gnarly was boiled down by the Lumbee healers to make a strong tea of deep red color to reduce swellings and sprains, coughs and skin eruptions. Aunt Cat Lowry, a Lumbee midwife and herbal expert, would recommend a tea made from Red Tag Elder to nurse the pains of the mother related to the birthing process. Many healers thought an ingredient in this tea cleared milky urine. For drooping eyes, some healers would rub and blow the decoction of the bark into the eyes or suggest a bark tea for general pain or heart trouble. A hot berry tea was often prescribed to treat fever. Drinking a cold tea from bark shavings was suggested by one healer to help the kidneys act. Lumbee mothers would often give the tea to babies for “thrash” (thrush), a mouth soreness. Sugar was added to the tea by many Lumbee mothers and given to babies for hives or teething. A cold bark tea was prescribed by Lumbee healers to purify the blood and bring down high blood pressure. 

Resources of the Southern Fields and Forests states: 

The bark is astringent. N. Y. Journal Med. V. 7, 8. It had for a long time been neglected; but in the article referred to the decoction is spoken highly of as an alterative and astringent in scrofula and cutaneous diseases, and it is said to have been very successful in haematuria; in these affections producing beneficial results where all other means had failed. Shec, in his Flora Carol., spoke of the alder tags as being of great service on account of their alterative powers; a decoction of the leaves has also been used to suppress hemorrhage, and they have been found effectual in relieving dyspepsia and bowel complaints. An astringent decoction may be made of the bark, leaves, or tags—acting also as a diuretic. A tincture may also be used. Poultices made of them are used as a local application to tumors, sprains, swellings, etc. The leaves are applied externally to wounds and ulcers. The inner bark of the root is emetic, and it has been given in intermittents. 

King's American Dispensatory, 1898 tells us: 

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—To the taste tag alder is bitter and astringent. It powerfully increases retrograde metamorphosis and exerts a direct tonic action upon mucous surfaces, aiding digestion and assimilation. It is a true catalytic and a positive anti-putrefactive agent. Locally applied, the decoction stains the skin. The drug stimulates the gastric mucous membrane and causes an increased flow of gastric juice. Applied to the mammae, the leaves are said to decrease the lacteal secretion. It is alterative, emetic, and astringent. 

This much neglected, but very important, remedy is a valuable agent in scrofulosis, especially in those cases marked by glandular enlargements and suppuration. Prof. Scudder speaks of it as one of the most valuable of our indigenous remedies, and points to its use in "superficial diseases of the skin and mucous membranes, taking the form of eczema or pustular eruption." Administered internally and applied locally in these conditions, we may expect from alnus the best of results. Impetigo, prurigo, herpes, and scorbutus, are diseases in which alnus will be of great utility. In scurfy tetter of the scalp, in children, it is of much value. The happiest results are obtained from its use in successive crops of boils. It is a good agent in passive hemorrhages, 27 particularly in hematuria, for which a decoction of the cones has also been used, and it is favorably mentioned for purpura hemorrhagica. In marasmus of children, it is a much praised remedy. Combined with rumex crispus, and used locally and internally, it is a good drug in nursing sore mouth of mothers. Alnus is an important drug in indigestion and dyspepsia, when resulting from deficient secretion of gastric juice and debility of the muscular coat of the stomach. It may be associated with specific nux vomica. In diarrhoea, caused by or attended with deficiency of the gastric secretion, it serves an excellent purpose. It has been used with good results as an injection for leucorrhoea, and the leaves may "scatter" indurations of the mammary glands during the nursing period. Ɣ Dr. A. D. Ayer reports many cases of periodical hyperaesthetic rhinitis (hay fever) cured by alnus. He recommends a distillate prepared after the manner of distillate of hamamelis. The distillate is first used with an equal bulk of water and snuffed up the nostrils 5 or 6 times daily. It may be increased to full strength in a day or two. If desirous, it may be applied by atomization. At night the nose is smeared with the distillate combined with petrolatum. At the same time give internally: Rx Distillate of alnus, gtt. xv to xxx, in a little water, 1 hour before or after meals. Dr. Ayer also recommends this preparation in the acute stage of gonorrhoea, and as an antidote to rhus poisoning. The remedy is most effectual in infusion (fresh alnus bark, ℥j, aqua Oj); dose, a wine-glassful. 

Specific alnus, 1 to 20 drops. Specific Indications and Uses.—The specific use of this remedy is to improve nutrition and increase waste. It is of particular value in scrofula, with feeble vitality, and chronic skin diseases exhibiting scaly or pustular eruptions. 

Plants for A Future states: Medicinal use of Alder: 

The bark is alterative, astringent, cathartic, febrifuge and tonic. The fresh bark will cause vomiting, so use dried bark for all but emetic purposes. A decoction of the dried bark is used to bathe swellings and inflammations, especially of the mouth and throat. The powdered bark and the leaves have been used as an internal astringent and tonic, whilst the bark has also been used as an internal and external haemostatic against haemorrhage. The dried bark of young twigs are used, or the inner bark of branches 2 - 3 years old. It is harvested in the spring and dried for later use. Boiling the inner bark in vinegar produces a useful wash to treat lice and a range of skin problems such as scabies and scabs. The liquid can also be used as a toothwash. The leaves are astringent, galactogogue and vermifuge. They are used to help reduce breast engorgement in nursing mothers. A decoction of the leaves is used in folk remedies for treating cancer of the breast, duodenum, oesophagus, face, pylorus, pancreas, rectum, throat, tongue, and uterus. The leaves are harvested in the summer and used fresh. 

The Rodale Herb Book lists Alder: 

The bark and berries are cathartic, similar to cascara in cation. The astringent bark, prepared as a decoction, is used for a gargle for sore throat, to induce circulation, check diarrhea, and for eye drops. Leaves are glutinous and used to cure inflammation. Fresh leaves applied to bare feet, are said to be excellent for burning and itching feet. Also used as a foot bath when brewed as a strong tea. 

Sacred and Healing Herbal Beers states: 

Alder is rarely used in botanical medicine at this time, though it is a powerful remedy for a number of conditions. It is strongly astringent, the leaves and bark containing 16 percent tannin. … Traditionally, alder has been used as a vulnerary(wound healer) and stomatic. It tonifies the stomach and small intestine, helping improve food absorption and fat metabolism. It is also a bitte and stimulates gastric secretion. Traditionally, elder has been used with great effectiveness in eye infections, sore throats, mouth infections, stubborn and bleeding wounds, diarrhea and skin irritations. Felter and Lloyd call it a ‘positive anti-putrefactive agent,’ and a number of traditional medical herbalists note its effectiveness in treating gangrene. 

Botany In a Day states: 

Alders are very astringent, and the bark is the most potent. The live inner bark from our local alders quickly turns a flaming orange-brown color when exposed to air. The color is from tannic acid. It is a brilliant an permanent dye. Some Native Americans even dyed their hair with it! Other species of Alder may produce darker colors. Medicinally, the alder can be used as a potent astringent for wounds, diarrhea and so forth. Some species produce anti-tumor properties similar to the birches. 

The Physicians Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines tells us: 

Black Alder: Affects. The decoction is a tonic and has astringent and hemostatic properties, which may be due to the tannins, flavone glycosides, and triterpenes. Unproven uses: Black Alder is used as a decoction for gargles in the treatment of streptococcal sore throat and pharyngitis, and for internal bleeding. The bark is considered to be affective for intermittent fever. No health hazards or side effects or known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

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: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X4LYV9R

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: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HMWXL25

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: https://rumble.com/c/c-618325

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.