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 | Alder (Black) Other Names: Ilex Verticillata. Black Alder Winterberry. Deciduous Winterberry. Virginian Winterberry
Botanical Name: Prinos verticillatus
Family: N.O. Aquiloliaceae |
Description: |
This shrub is the most ornamental of the American deciduous hollies. It grows from 6 to 1O feet in height, with thin, oval or lanceolate leaves, white flowers and bright scarlet berries the size of a large pea, causing it to be very conspicuous in the autumn, when the surrounding vegetation is leafless.
The bark is found in thin fragments, the outer surface brownish, with whitish patches and black dots and lines, the cork layer easily separating from the pale-greenish or yellowish white inner tissue. The fracture is short, the odour almost imperceptible, and the taste bitter and slightly astringent.
It was widely used by the aborigines of North America for its astringent properties. |
Habitat: |
| The United States, from western Florida northwards |
Constituents: |
The bark contains about 4-8 per cent tannin, two resins, the one soluble and the other insoluble in alcohol, albumen, gum, sugar, and a bitter principle and a yellow colouring matter not yet isolated. There is no berberine.
The fresh bark and fruit are gathered before the first autumnal frost. |
Medicinal Usage: |
Cathartic, antiseptic, tonic, and astringent bitter. The decoction of the bark is prepared by boiling 2 ounces of bark in 3 pints of water down to 2 pints, this being given internally in diarrhoea and malarial disorders, and externally in indolent sores and chronic skin disease. The berries should not be used as a substitute for the bark. In intermittent fever it can be used like Peruvian Bark, and is valuable in jaundice, gangrenous affections, dropsy, and when the body is devitalized by discharges. The bark is well known as an ingredient in several alternative syrups.
The berries are cathartic, and with Cedar apples form a mild anthelmintic for children.
An observed case, after eating twenty-five berries, had a sensation of nausea, not interfering with appetite, vomiting of bile without retching, painless and profuse evacuation of the bowels, followed by a second evacuation in half an hour, and as a result, a feeling of great lightness and well-being, with appetite and digestion better than usual.
For dyspepsia, 2 drachms of the powdered bark, and 1 drachm of powdered Golden Seal infused in a pint of boiling water, taken, when cold, in the course of one day in wine-glassful doses, will be found very helpful. |
Ancient Lore: |
ALDER (Black) FRANCULA ALNUS (= ALNUS NlGRA)
It purgeth and strengtheneth the liver and spleen, cleansing them from such evil humours and hardness as they are afflicted with.
The Black Alder or Alder Buckthorn does not grow to any great height, but spreads its branches like a hedge-bush. The outer bark is of a blackish colour. The leaves are like the Common Alder and the flowers are white. Berries are produced which at first are green, then red and blackish when thoroughly ripe. They contain two small round, flat seeds
Where to find it: In woodland. Flowering time: It flowers in late spring and the berries are ripe in early autumn.
Astrology: It is a tree of Venus and perhaps under the celestial sign of Cancer.
Medicinal virtues: The dried inner yellow bark purgeth downwards both choler and phlegm and the watery humours of such as have the dropsy. It strengthens the inward parts again by binding. If the bark be boiled with Agrimony, Wormwood, Dodder, Hops, and some Fennel with Smallage, Endive and Succory roots, and a reasonable draught taken every morning for some time, it is very effectual against the jaundice, dropsy and evil disposition of the body, especially if some suitable purging medicines have been taken before to void the grosser excrements.
The fresh green bark taken inwardly provokes strong vomitings, pains in the stomach and gripings in the belly. If the decoction stands and settles for two or three days until the yellow colour be changed black, it will not work so strongly as before, but will strengthen the stomach and procure an appetite to meat.
The outer bark doth bind the body and is helpful for all laxes and fluxes thereof. It must be dried first whereby it will work better. The inner bark boiled in vinegar is an approved remedy to kill lice, cure the itch and take away scabs by drying them up in a short time. It is singularly good to wash the teeth, and to take away the pains, to fasten those that are loose, to cleanse them and keep them sound.
In springtime take a handful of each of the herbs before mentioned, add a handful of Elder buds, bruise them all and boil them in a gallon (4.5 1) Of ordinary beer when it is new. Boil for half an hour and then add three gallons (13.5 l) more. Drink a draught of it every morning, about half a pint (284 rnl) - It is an excellent purge for the spring to consume the phlegmatic quality the winter has left behind, and to keep your body in health. Esteem it as a jewel.
Modern uses: Not popularly used in modern practice. The Common Alder is used, however. See below. |
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