Bittersweet

Parts Usually Used

Bark of root

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Climbing, twining shrub; grows to 50 feet. Leaves ovate to oblong, sharp pointed, fine-toothed. Flowers greenish, in clusters, May to June. Fruit capsule scarlet to orange, splitting, to reveal scarlet seeds.

Where Found

Rich thickets from Quebec to Georgia; Alabama, Oklahoma to North Dakota.

Uses

Historically, herbalists administered teas made from the root bark to induce sweating, promote urination, and act as an emetic. Traditional folk practitioners utilized the plant for persistent liver conditions, skin complaints, rheumatism, suppressed menstruation, and leukorrhea. Externally, the bark was incorporated into ointments intended for burns, scrapes, and skin eruptions.

American Indian traditions employed the plant for these purposes and also prepared an astringent leaf tea for diarrhea. Additionally, historical herbalists considered extracts of the bark to possess cardioactive properties.

Bibliography

Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants , by Steven Foster and James A. , 180 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014, first printed by the United States Government Printing Office, Washington, in 1928, this Dover edition 1974 American Folk Medicine , by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1973 The Complete Medicinal Herbal , by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993 Indian Herbalogy of North America , by Alma R.

, Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973