Today, we begin a new series of articles taken from my book, Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of the American Southeast, and Herbalist's Guide. As with my book on medicinal trees, you will also find these plants in most of North America and Europe, at the very least. Like the trees, medicinal shrubs and vines are often overlooked even by the most knowledgeable herbalist, but the wonders of nature are all around us. ENJOY!
Two varieties of Amelanchier that grow as shrubs are native to my region. Amelanchier obovalis (Coastal Plain Serviceberry), Amelanchier spicata (Running Serviceberry, Dwarf Serviceberry)
These are both somewhat rare coastal/coastal plains plants. Serviceberries (most of which are trees) are edible. George Washington is said to have planted Serviceberry at Mount Vernon, but we can only assume his reason for doing so was the fruit. Overall, Serviceberry is a much-underutilizednative fruit. Recent research has shown that it may have antiviral properties that could be useful in combating such viruses as COVID-19.
Gerard wrote:
A. Service berries are cold and binding, and much more when they be hard, than when they are mild and soft: in some places they are quickly soft, either hanged in a place which is not altogether cold, or laid in hay or chaff: those services are eaten when the belly is too soluble, for they stay the same; and if they yield any nourishment at all, the same is very little, gross, and cold; and therefore it is not expedient to eat of these or other like fruits, nor to use them otherwise than in medicines.
B. These do stay all manner of fluxes of the belly, and likewise the bloody flux; as also vomiting: they stanch bleeding if they be cut and dried in the sun before they be ripe, and so reserved for use: these we may use divers ways according to the manner of the grief and grieved part.
Resources of The Southern Fields and Forests gives us an interesting use for this plant:
Apples and Pears, as being the fruits that are most abundantly produced, are the most valuable for the purpose of manufacturing Liquors. A mixture of the two produces a more wholesome article of drink than does either treated separately. The juices of plums and other fruits may likewise be added, as their astringency renders the liquor more tonic. Excellent liquor *aay be produced, both from apples and pears, by following the well known method of making cider, which consists in grinding the fruit with a millstone and fei-men ting the pulp and juice together; but upon farms, where we seldom find the means of preserving liquors unchanged, it is necessary that the processes be simple, and such as can be made use of for preparing them as they are needed. I shall, therefore, recommend the following method : Begin to collect the apples and pears which fall from the trees toward the end of August, and continue to do so till they have arrived at maturity; cut them in pieces as fast as they arc gathered; dry them first in the sun and afterward in an oven from which the bread has been drawn. If the fruit be well dried in this manner, though it may grow dark colored, it may be kept unchanged for several years. When drink is to be prepared from these dried fruits, put about sixty pounds of them into a cask, which contain sixty-six gallons ; fill the cask with water, and allow it to remain four or five days; after which, draw off the fermented liquor for use. The liquor thus prepared is very agreeable to the taste; when put into bottles it ferments so as to throw out the cork as frothing Champagne wine does. Though wholesome and
agreeable, it may become still more conducive to health by mixing with the apples and pears one-twentieth of the dried berries of the service tree, Amelanchier canadensis, (Aronia botrya-pium, Ell. Sk., which grows in the Carolinas,) and one-thirtieth of juniper berries; from these the liquor acquires a slightly bitter taste, and the flavor of the juniper berries, which is very- refreshing, and it is besides rendered tonic and auti-putrescent.
The use of this drink is one of the surest means that can be taken by the husbandman for preserving himself from those diseases to which he is liable in autumn, and for the attacks of which he is preparing the way during the greatest heats of summer.
After the spiritous portions of the liquor have been drawn off, very agreeable piquette may be made from the pulp which remains in the cask; for this purpose it is only necessary to crush the fruit, which is already soft, and to add to it as much lukewarm water, to which a small quantity of yeast has been added, as will fill the cask, fermentation commencing in a short time, and terminating in three or four days. To flavor this liquor and render it slightly tonic, there may be added to it before fermentation a handful of vervain, three or four pounds of elder berries, and of juniper berries.
Botany in a Day states simply:
Medicinally, the berries may be laxative; otherwise the leaves and bark are astringent.
Peterson Field Guides Eastern and Central Medicinal Plants tells us:
Chippewas used root bark tea with other herbs as a tonic for excessive menstrual bleeding, a female tonic and to treat diarrhea. Cherokee used in herb combinations as a digestive tonic. Bath of bark tea used on children with worms.
This article is an excerpt from
Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast An Herbalist's Guide
Read about Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast An Herbalist's Guide: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/06/medicinal-shrubs-and-woody-vines-of.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2T4Y5L6: by Judson Carroll
His New book is:
Read About: The Medicinal Weeds and Grasses of the American Southeast
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/05/medicinal-weeds-and-grasses-of-american.html
Available in paperback on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47LHTTH
His new cookbook is:
Read About The Omnivore’s Guide to Home Cooking for Preppers, Homesteaders, Permaculture People and Everyone Else"
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-omnivores-guide-to-home-cooking-for.html
Available for purchase on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGKX37Q2
His other works include:
Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith
Ferns and Fern Allies, an Herbalist's Guide
Read About Ferns and Fern Allies, an Herbalist's Guide
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/11/medicinal-ferns-and-fern-allies.html
Available for purchase on Amazon:
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
The Encyclopedia of Bitter Medicinal Herbs:
southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-encyclopedia-of-bitter-medicina.html
Available for purchase on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5MYJ35R
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.
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