Although Rhododendrons have varying levels of toxicity, eighteen varieties have been found useful in Herbal Medicine: Rhododendron anthopogon, Rhododendron arboretum, Rhododendron aureum – Rosebay, Rhododendron campanulatum, Rhododendron ferrugineum – Alpenrose, Rhododendron griersonianum, Rhododendron indicum - Rhododendron,, Rhododendron japonicum, Rhododendron kaempferi, Rhododendron lapponicum - Lapland Rosebay, Rhododendron lutescens, Rhododendron luteum - Honeysuckle Azalea, Rhododendron maximum - Rosebay Rhododendron, Rhododendron molle - Chinese Azalea, Rhododendron mucronulatum, Rhododendron 'PJM', Rhododendron ponticum –Rhododendron, Rhododendron x praecox
The beautiful flowers of the Rhododendron draw nearly as many visitors to my region of
Appalachia as do the colors of the fall hardwood leaves. Shrub-form Rhododendrons native to my region are: Rhododendron arborescens (Smooth Azalea), Rhododendron atlanticum (Dwarf Azalea), Rhododendron calendulaceum (Flame Azalea), Rhododendron canescens (Piedmont Azalea, Wild Azalea)m Rhododendron carolinianum (Carolina Rhododendron), Rhododendron cumberlandense (Cumberland Azalea), Rhododendron minus (Dwarf Rhododendron), Rhododendron periclymenoides (Pink Azalea, Pinxter Flower), Rhododendron pilosum (Minniebush), Rhododendron prinophyllum (Early Azalea, Election Pink), Rhododendron vaseyi (Pinkshell Azalea), Rhododendron viscosum (Swamp Azalea)
Culpepper wrote of Azalea:
Government and virtues. It is a plant of Mercury, and has a pleasing aromatic smell, resembling that of lemons; and is cordial and strengthening. It comforts the head and stomach, removes palpitations of the heart, helps the vertigo, or giddiness and swimmings in the head, and is greatly extolled by many, as a specific in nervous and hypochondrical disorders.
The Cherokee used Rhododendron:
Flame Azalea: Peel and boil the twig and rub the twig in the place of rheumatism.
Great Rhododendron: An ingredient in the medicine… “For muscle soreness.” And ingredient in the medicine… “For shifting pains.” A leaf decoction including the leaves of big laurel, Kalmia latifolia, and Leucothoe editorum is applied to rheumatic areas for relief. The above decoction is also rubbed on scratches of ballplayers. Peel and boil a twig and rub the twig on the place of rheumatism.
Towards and American Materia Medica tells us:
Before I take leave of these poisonous plants, I may mention some others, whose properties are but little known. The first is the Rhododendron maximum, or Pennsylvania Mountain-Laurel. This is certainly a poison. It is a species of the same genus as the Rhododendron Chrysanthum, which has lately acquired much reputation in the cure of chronic rheumatism.
Nearly allied to the Rhododendron is the genus Kalmia. Of this we have several species, and all of them are poisons. The Kalmia latifolia, or Broad-leaved Laurel, is best known to us. It kills sheep and other animals. Our Indians sometimes use a decoction of it to destroy themselves. In the county of Lancaster, an empiric has used the powdered leaves, with success, in certain stages of fevers, and in tinea capitis. A decoction of the plant, externally applied, has often cured the itch; but it must be used with great care, for thus applied it has been known to occasion disagreeable subsultus, or startings, and convulsions. I have given the powder of this plant internally in a case of fever, and have thus, at least, ascertained, that it may be used with safety.
Resources of the Southern Fields and Forests states:
MOUNTAIN LAUREL; WILD ROSEBAY, (Rhododendron maximum, L.) Grows among the
mountains. Fl. July. Lind. Nat. Syst. Bot. 221. " It is well known to be possessed of poisonous
properties." Mer. and de L. Diet, de M. Med. vi, 75 Employed with success in chronic
rheumatism, gout, and glandular enlargements. The petioles act as a sternutatory. Coxe, Am.
Disp. 526 ; Big. Am. Med. Bot. iii, 103. It is a resinous astringent, the leaves containing tannin ;
but its supposed poisonous, narcotic power is doubted by some, as Bigelow swallowed an
entire leaf, and no bad effects resulted. B. S. Barton, however, in his Collections, i, 18, says it is
certainly poisonous. The brown powder attached to the foot-stalks possesses considerable
power as an errhine. The purple variety, one of the most beautiful, grows in South Carolina.
King's American Dispensatory, 1898 tells us:
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—Yellow rhododendron contains a stimulant, narcotic
principle; for it increases the heat of the body, excites thirst, and produces diaphoresis, or an
increased discharge of the other secretions or excretions, and which are generally followed by a
decrease of action of the arterial system. With some persons it causes emeto-catharsis,
inebriation, and delirium. The Siberians use a decoction of it in chronic rheumatism and gout.
They put about 2 drachms of the dried shrub in an earthen pot, with about 10 ounces of boiling
water, keeping it near a boiling heat for a night, and this they take in the morning. Beside its
other effects, it is said to produce a sensation of prickling or creeping in the painful parts; but in
a few hours the pain and disagreeable symptoms are relieved, and 2 or 3 doses generally
complete the cure. The use of liquids is not allowed during its operation, as this is apt to induce
vomiting (Ed.—Coxe). It is a valuable remedy, used in Russia, Germany, and sometimes in
France and England, but scarcely at all in this country. That it possesses a decided control over
the circulation, acting like the special sedatives, slowing the quickened pulse by giving
increased heart power and removing capillary obstruction, seems well established. Myalgic
pains, whether rheumatic or not, but especially of the facial and ocular region, appear to be the
special indication for its use. It has been employed in acute testicular, and ovarian affections, as
well as in chronic orchitis and hydrocele. The dose should be minute, from a fraction of a drop to
a drop of a saturated tincture. Probably our native species would be fully as effective.
Specific Indications and Uses.—Myalgic pain, particularly of the face; "face-ache"; pain in the
ocular muscles.
Plants for a Future states:
Medicinal use of Rosebay Rhododendron: The poulticed leaves are used to relieve arthritic
pain, headaches etc. A decoction of the leaves is occasionally employed internally in domestic
practice in the treatment of rheumatism. The leaves are taken internally in controlled dosage for
the treatment of heart ailments. Caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity.
Known hazards of Rhododendron maximum: The leaves are poisonous. Ingestion can cause
convulsions and coma. The pollen of many if not all species of rhododendrons is also probably
toxic, being said to cause intoxication when eaten in large quantities.
This article is an excerpt from
Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast An Herbalist's Guide
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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.
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