Gaylussacia, Huckleberry
Native
to my region are: Gaylussacia baccata (Black Huckleberry),
Gaylussacia bigeloviana (Northern Dwarf Huckleberry), Gaylussacia
brachycera (Box Huckleberry), Gaylussacia dumosa (Dwarf Huckleberry),
Gaylussacia frondosa (Dangleberry, Blue Huckleberry), Gaylussacia
nana (Dwarf Dangleberry), Gaylussacia orocola (Blue Ridge Bog
Huckleberry), Gaylussacia tomentosa (Hairy Dangleberry), Gaylussacia
ursina (Bear Huckleberry)
Huckleberries
are generally regarded as tasty wild edible fruit, but they do have
some documented use in Herbal Medicine.
The
Lumbee used “He-Huckleberry”:
Mr.
Vernon Cooper, a Lumbee healer, prepared the leaves and fruit of
He-Huckleberry into a tonic to treat the early stages of diabetes.
The tops were gathered in May to September and the roots the
remainder of the year. The tea was recommended for the treatment of
diabetes of the blood or kidneys. Mr. Vernon believed that diabetes
of the kidneys caused a lot of fluid buildup in various parts of the
body.
Plants
for A Future states:
Medicinal
use of Black Huckleberry: An infusion of the leaves, or the bark, has
been used in the treatment of dysentery. An infusion of the leaves
has been used in the treatment of Bright's disease.
Hydrangea
Three
varieties of Hydrangea are native to my region: Hydrangea arborescens
(Wild Hydrangea, Smooth Hydrangea), Hydrangea cinerea (Ashy
Hydrangea) and Hydrangea radiata (Silverleaf Hydrangea). One is
naturalized, Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia).
The
Hydrangeas have been used traditionally in Native American herbalism
and American folk medicine. Hydrangea is not much used in modern
Herbal Medicine due to potential toxicity.
Mrs.
Grieve tells us:
The
Hydrangeas are marsh or aquatic plants, and hence the name is derived
from a Greek compound signifying water-vessel. Four of the known
species are natives of America; one, the garden Hydrangea (Hydrangea
hortensis), is widely cultivated in the gardens of China and Japan.
Many methods are employed in this country for imparting the blue
tinge to its petals. The oak-leaved Hydrangea (H. quercifolia), a
native of Florida, is also cultivated for its beauty.
The
bark of H. arborescens is rough, with a tendency to peel, each layer
being of a different colour, from which it has probably derived its
name 'Seven Barks.' The roots are of variable length and thickness,
having numerous radicles, reaching a diameter of more than half an
inch. They are externally pale grey, tough, with splintery fracture;
white inside, without odour, having a sweetish, rather pungent taste.
When fresh, the root and stalks are very succulent, containing much
water, and can easily be cut. When dry, they are tough and resistant,
so that they should be bruised or cut into short, transverse sections
while fresh. The taste of the bark of the dried root resembles that
of cascarilla. The stalks contain a pith which is easily removed, and
they are used in some parts of the country for pipe-stems.
Constituents---The
root has been found to contain two resins, gum, sugar, starch,
albumen, soda, lime potassa, magnesia, sulphuric and phosphoric
acids, a protosalt of iron, and a glucoside, Hydrangin. No tannin has
been found, but a fixed oil and a volatile oil have been obtained.
From the alcoholic extract of the flowers of H. hortensia, two
crystalline substances were isolated, Hydragenol and Hydrangeaic
acid.
Medicinal
Action and Uses---Diuretic, cathartic, tonic. The decoction is said
to have been used with great advantage by the Cherokee Indians, and
later, by the settlers, for calculous diseases. It does not cure
stone in the bladder, but, as demonstrated to the medical profession
by Dr. S. W. Butler, of Burlington, N.J., it removes gravelly
deposits and relieves the pain consequent on their emission. As many
as 120 calculi have been known to come from one person under its use.
The
fluid extract is principally used for earthy deposits, alkaline
urine, chronic gleet, and mucous irritations of the bladder in aged
persons. A concentrated syrup with sugar or honey, or a simple
decoction of the root, may also be used. In overdoses, it will cause
vertigo, oppressions of the chest, etc. The leaves are said by Dr.
Eoff to be tonic, silagogue, cathartic and diuretic.
The
Cherokee used Hydrangea arborescens in formulas:
An
ingredient in the medicine… “for disordered bile” An
ingredient in the medicine… For menstruating women who dream of
giving birth to animals or unnatural beings.” To stop vomiting in
children from 18 months to 10 years, make a cold tea of the inner
bark… Bind on freshly scraped bark for burns or risings. A
poultice is made for sore or swollen muscles.
Resources
of The Southern Fields and Forests tells us:
Hydrangea
arborescens, L., Hydratu/ea vulgaris, Mx., Hydrangea cordata.
Ph. Florida to Mississippi and northward.
Dr.
S. W. Butler, of Burlington, New Jersey, introduced this
plant into notice through the New Jersey Medical Report. He
states that his father whilst on a mission to the
Cherokees, learned of them (he merits of this plant in the
treatment of gravel and stono, and has himself employed it
for' many years in an extensive practice among a people
peculiarly subject to those complaints. He considers it a
most valuable medicine, possessed, perhaps, of specific
properties. Dr. Parrish, in his Practical Pharm. in noticing
the above, has modified Dr. B.'s formula for its preparation
thus: Hydrangea, sixteen ounces; water, six pints or
sulticient, boil the root in successive portions, mix thenm and
evaporate to half a pint ; mix this with two pints of
honey and evaporate to two pints. In the summer season push
the evaporation somewhat further and add a half a pint of
l)randy. The dose of this fluid extract is a teaspoonful
twice or three times a day. Dr. P. says he has prepared it
for several years and has dispensed it under the direction
of several practitioners to numerous patients, and with
general satisfactory results, in irritable conditions of the
urethra, though its value as a specific remedy requires
confirmation. Op. cit. 205.
In
the 12th Ed. U. S. Disp. an analysis by Mr. Laidley, of
Richmond, Ya., is referred to, (Am. J. Pharm. xxiv, 20.)
Drs. Atlee, Horslcy and Monkun, are also said to have
confirmed the opinion of its utility "in sabulous or
gravelly deposits." N. J. Med. Report, September, 1854,
October, 1854, and March, 1855. In overdose it occasions
vertigo and oppression of the chest. U. S. Disp.
Hydrangea
Arborescens (Hydrangea).— This plant was introduced to the
medical profession by Dr. S. W. Butler, of Burlington, N.
J., as a remedy for the removal of calculous or stony
deposits in the bladder, and for relieving the excruciating
pain on the passage of a calculus through the urethra, r.ie
power of curing stone in the bladder is not claimed for
it; it is only while the deposits are small, when in that
form of the disease known as gravel, that a is an efficient
remedy; then by removing the nucleus,-
which
if allowed to remain in the organ would increase in size
and form stone, the disease is averted. Fluid Extract — Dose
: 1 to 2 drams.
King’s
Medical Dispensatory of 1898 states:
This
elegant shrub grows abundantly in the southern, and middle-western
states, in mountains and hills, and on rocks and near streams. The
bark is rough, pealing off—each layer being of a different color,
and which has probably given origin to the name "seven barks."
It is quite common in the Susquehanna and Schuylkill valleys, and its
flowers are often met with in bouquets in the markets of
Philadelphia. The root is the part that has been employed. It is
formed of numerous radicles, sometimes not larger than a goose-quill,
and again half an inch or more in diameter, and of considerable
length. These proceed from a caudex which sends upward numerous
divergent branches. When fresh, the root and stalks are very
succulent, containing much water, and can easily be cut, and the root
likewise contains a great deal of mucilage, with albumen and starch.
When dry they are very tough and resistent, and exceedingly difficult
to bruise or cut, hence they should be bruised while fresh, or which
is better, cut into short transverse sections, which facilitates the
drying. The bark of the dried root has a rather pungent, aromatic,
not disagreeable taste, somewhat similar to that of cascarilla bark.
The stalks contain a pith which is easily removed, and they are used
in some parts of the country for pipe-stems.
Chemical
Composition.—Mr. Joseph Laidley, of Richmond, Va. (Amer. Jour.
Pharm., 1852, p. 20), found the root to contain gum, albumen, starch,
resin, and inorganic salts. It was subsequently analyzed by Jos. Baur
(ibid., 1881, p. 157), who found in addition, probable indications of
an alkaloid and a crystallizable body. A glucosid, hydrangin,
fluorescing with opal-blue color in alkaline solution, was obtained
later by C. S. Bondurant (Amer. Jour. Pharm., 1887, p. 123). It forms
star-like masses of crystals, soluble in ether and alcohol, and when
treated with diluted acids, splits into grape sugar and a resinous
body. Acids destroy the fluorescence. Sugar, saponin, several resins,
fixed and volatile oils (2.28 per cent), and starch (7.28 per cent)
were also found. Sulphur is a constituent of the volatile oil.
Contrary to Baur's statement, no tannin was found. Mr. H. J. M.
Schroeter (Amer. Jour. Pharm., 1889, p. 117) obtained a yield of 0.08
per cent of hydrangin, for which he established the formula
C34H25O11, and found the melting point to be 228° C. (442.4° F.).
The
root of Hydrangea paniculata, var. grandiflora, a shrub frequently
cultivated in the northern and middle states, was analyzed quite
recently (A. G. Luebert, Amer. Jour. Pharm., 1898, p. 550). A
glucosidal, crystallizable principle was obtained, melting at 178°
C. (352.4° F.), and probably not identical with the hydrangin of
Bondurant. The name para-hydrangin is suggested for this substance.
Action,
Medical Uses, and Dosage.—This plant was introduced to the
profession by Dr. S. W. Butler, of Burlington, N. J., as a remedy for
the removal of calculous or gravelly deposits in the bladder, and for
relieving the excruciating pain attendant on the passing of a
calculus through the ureter; and from reports made, it certainly
deserves a full and thorough investigation. The power of curing or
dissolving stone in the bladder is not claimed for it; it is only,
while the deposits are small, when in that form of the disease known
as gravel, that it is an efficient remedy; then by removing the
nucleus, which, if allowed to remain in the organ, would increase in
size and form stone, the disease is averted, and when employed at
this stage, it is said to have proved beneficial in every instance,
and as many as 120 calculi have been known to come from one person
under the use of this remedy. The effect of the plant, Dr. Butler
states, is to remove, by its own specific action on the bladder, such
deposits as may be contained in that viscus, provided they are small
enough to pass through the urethra. Thus it has chiefly an
eliminatory action rather than any power to dissolve gravel. By its
soothing action it relieves vesical and urethral irritation. Probably
its greatest value lies in its power of preventing the formation of
alkaline and phosphatic deposits. The former mode of using it was to
prepare a concentrated syrup of it with sugar or honey, and give a
teaspoonful 3 times a day. Now specific hydrangea, in doses of 5 to
30 drops, 3 times a day, preferably in hot water, or a simple
decoction of the root to be taken freely are preferred. If taken in
overdoses it will produce some unpleasant symptoms, as dizziness of
the head, oppression of the chest, etc. It is a good remedy in acute
nephritis. The leaves of hydrangea are said by Dr. Eoff to be tonic,
sialagogue, cathartic, and diuretic. The specific hydrangea and fluid
extract of hydrangea are principally used in the earthy deposits, as
phosphates of calcium, ammonium, and magnesium, in alkaline urine,
and in chronic gleet, and mucous irritation of the bladder in aged
persons. Its alterative powers, chiefly due to its washing away of
strumous and other unhealthy products, are not to be underrated. It
is not without some value in broncho-pulmonic affections, relieving
irritation; also in some forms of gastric irritation.
Specific
Indications and Uses.—Vesical and urethral irritation, with
gravelly deposits; difficult urination; bloody urine; deep-seated
renal pain; hepatic pain; irritation of bronchial tract. It improves
the nutrition of the urinary mucous tissues.
Preparation
of Hydrangea.—LITHIATED HYDRANGEA. This specialty of the Lambert
Pharmacal Co., of St. Louis, Mo., is a compound of fresh hydrangea
and benzo-salicylate of lithium, prepared by special process. It is
employed in renal and cystic affections, viz.: Lithuria, gout,
rheumatism, calculus, diabetes, cystitis, and vesical irritation. The
dose is from 1 to 2 fluid drachms, 4 times a day, preferably between
meals.
Jethro
Kloss wrote:
HYDRANGEA
(Hydrangea aborescens)
Common
Names: Wild hydrangea, seven barks.
Part
Used: Leaves, root.
Medicinal
Properties: Root—diuretic, lithontryptic.
Leaves-tonic,
diuretic, sialagogue, cathartic.
Description
and Uses: This is an old remedy that is very valuable in bladder
troubles. It will remove and also help prevent the formation of
bladder stones and gravel; will ease the pains caused by the stones.
Will relieve backache caused by kidney troubles. Good for chronic
rheumatism, paralysis, scurvy, and dropsy. The hydrangea root has
been used for a long time as a mild diuretic. This herb acts
differently in different people. In some it may act as a laxative.
Therefore, it is better to Start with a smaller dose and increase
slowly as needed. The average dose is two capsules daily. To make
tea, infuse one ounce of the root in one pint of boiling water and
take in wineglass doses, either hot or cold.
Medicinal
Plants of the Southern Appalachians tells us:
American
Indians used wild hydrangea root bark as a poultice for burns, ulcers
and rashes. The bark was chewed to relieve high blood pressure and
stomach problems. In folk medicine, wild hydrangea was used
extensively to treat kidney problems including blood in the urine,
kidney stones and infections. Herbalist, Tommie Bass relied heavily
on wild hydrangea to treat gallbladder problems, kidney stones,
rheumatic inflammation, gout and liver congestion.
Botany
in A Day states:
The
fresh leaves contain a cyanide, but some species are dried and
powdered for use as a tea sweetener. Medicinally, the roots are
emetic and cathartic, diaphoretic, diuretic and anthelmintic. The
plant might contain an antimalarial alkaloid.
Peterson
Field Guides Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants tells us:
Wild
Hydrangea: American Indians used the root tea as diuretic, cathartic,
emetic; scraped bark poulticed on wounds, burns, sore muscles,
sprains, tumors, bark chewed for stomach problems, heart trouble.
Root traditionally used for kidney stones, mucus irradiation of
bladder, bronchial afflictions. Warning: Experimentally, causes
bloody diarrhea, painful gastroenteritis, cyanide-like poisoning.
The
PDR for Herbal Medicine states:
The
drug has a diuretic effect. Unproven uses: Hydrangea is used in the
the treatment of conditions of the urinary tract, particularly the
bladder and kidney stones. No health hazards or side effects are
known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated
therapeutic dosages. According to information in older medical
literature. The intake of larger doses can lead to dizziness,
feelings of constrictions in the chest and central nervous system
disorders.
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Author: Judson Carroll. Judson Carroll is an Herbalist from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
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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.
