Medicinal Shrubs and woody Vines: Aucuba japonica (Spotted Laurel) and Baccharis

Aucuba japonica, Spotted Laurel

This shrub is not native to my region but has been naturalized.

Plants for A Future states:

Medicinal use of Spotted Laurel: The leaves are pounded and applied to burns, swellings, chilblains etc.

Baccharis

Four varieties of Baccharis have been documented in Herbal Medicine: Baccharis halimifolia - Bush Groundsel, Baccharis patagonica, Baccharis pilularis - Dwarf Chaparral Broom, Baccharis viminea - Mule's Fat

Three are native to my region: Baccharis angustifolia (Saltwater False-willow), Baccharis glomeruliflora (Silverling) and Baccharis halimifolia (Bush Groundsel).

Dioscorides wrote in de Materia Medica:

Baccharis is a herb with many stalks and a sweet scent. It is used to make wreaths for the head. The leaves are sharp, in size between the violet and verbascum; the stalk angular, a foot in height, somewhat sharp, with suckers. The flowers are a purple colour,whitish and sweet smelling, and the roots are similar to those of black veratrum, and similar in smell to cinnamon. It loves rough, dry places. Boiled in water the root helps convulsions, hernia, falls from on high, hard breathing, obstinate coughs, and painful urination. It expels the menstrual flow, and is usefully given with wine to those bitten by snakes. One of the tender roots (applied as a pessary) is an abortifacient, and a decoction of it is good for bathing women in childbirth. It is good in

scented powders, having a very fragrant smell. The leaves are astringent, and are applied to help headaches, inflammation of the eyes, ulcers of the eyes as they begin, breasts inflamed from childbearing, and erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. The smell is sleep inducing.

Bush Groundsel is the most documented variety. According to Resources of The Southern Fields and Forests, it was also called “Consumption Weed” or “Sea Myrtle””

SEA MYRTLE; CONSUMPTION WEED, {Baccharis halimifolia, L.) Grows along the seacoast; collected it St. John's, where it is found in abundance; vicinity of Charleston; Newbern, Fl. October.

This plant is of undoubted value, and of very general use in popular practice in South Carolina, as a palliative and demulcent in consumption and cough ; 1 have frequently seen it used with advantage, and have often heard of those employing it confess the benefit derived from it. A strong decoction of the root may be drank several times a day. It is slightly bitter and mucilaginous to the taste. No analysis has yet been made, so far as I can learn. Shecut states that the " bark is said to exude a gum so much resembling honey as to attract bees in great numbers." This, like many others of our indigenous plants possessed of unequivocal utility, is unnoticed in the dispensatories and other works.

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: 

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His new cookbook is:

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Available for purchase on Amazon:

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His other works include:

Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith

Read about Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith

https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/05/confirmation-autobiography-of-faith.html

Available in paperback on Amazon: 

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Ferns and Fern Allies, an Herbalist's Guide 

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Available for purchase on Amazon:

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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: 

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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.