Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines: Euonymous
Twenty-two varieties of Euonymus have documented use in Herbal Medicine: Euonymus alatus - Winged Spindle Tree, Euonymus alatus apterus - Winged Spindle Tree, Euonymus americanus - Strawberry Bush, Euonymus atropurpureus - Wahoo, Euonymus crenulatus, Euonymus europaeus - Spindle Tree, Euonymus fimbriatus, Euonymus fortunei - Winter Creeper, Euonymus hamiltonianus, Euonymus hamiltonianus maackii, Euonymus hamiltonianus sieboldianus, Euonymus japonicus - Japanese Spindle Tree, Euonymus latifolius, Euonymus lucidus, Euonymus macropterus, Euonymus miyakei, Euonymus oxyphyllus, Euonymus sachalinensis, Euonymus tanakae, Euonymus thunbergianus, Euonymus tingens, Euonymus verrucosus
Three shrub-form varieties of Euonymus are native to my region: Euonymus americanus (Hearts-a-bustin', American Strawberry-bush), Euonymus obovatus (Running Strawberry-bush) and Euonymus atropupureus (Wahoo). Two varieties have been naturalized: Euonymus alatus (Winged Burning Bush) and Euonymus japonicus (Japanese Spindle-tree). One vining variety has been naturalized, Euonymus fortunei var. radicans (Winter Creeper).
Galen wrote:
This shrub is hurtful to all things, as Theophrastus writeth, and namely to goats: he saith the fruit hereof killeth; so doth the leaves and fruit destroy goats especially, unless they scour as well upwards as downwards: if three or four of these fruits be given to a man they purge both by vomit and stool.
Mrs. Grieve tells us:
The Spindle Tree found in our hedges and copses is a smooth-leaved shrub. The leaves have very short stalks, are opposite in pairs and have minute teeth on the margin. It bears small greenish-white flowers, in loose clusters, during May and June, followed by an abundance of fruits. The fruit is three or more lobed, and becomes a beautiful rose-red colour; it bursts when ripe, disclosing ruddy-orange-coloured seeds, which are wrapped in a scarlet arillus. This yields a good yellow dye when boiled in water, and a green one with the addition of alum, but these dyes are fugitive. The berries attract children, but are harmful, for they are strongly emetic and purgative: they have proved fatal to sheep. The bark, leaves and fruit are all injurious, and no animal but the goat will browse upon them.
The Latin name for Spindle is Fusus, and by some of the old writers this plant is called Fusanum and the Fusoria. By the Italians it is still called Fusano. The fruit is given three or four as a dose, as a purgative in rural districts; and the decoction, adding some vinegar, is used as a lotion for mange in horses and cattle. In allusion to the actively irritating properties of the shrub, its name Euonymus is associated with that of Euonyme, the mother of the Furies. In old herbals it is called Skewerwood or prickwood (the latter from its employment as toothpicks), and gatter, gatten, or gadrose. Chaucer, in one of his poems, calls it gaitre.
Prior says:
Gatter is from the Anglo-Saxon words, gad (a goad) and treow (a tree); gatten is made up of gad again and tan (a twig); and gadrise is from gad and hris (a rod).'
The same hardness that fitted it for skewers, spindles, etc., made it useful for the ox-goad.
Turner apparently christened the tree Spindle Tree. He says:
'I coulde never learne an Englishe name for it. The Duche men call it in Netherlande, spilboome, that is, spindel-tree, because they use to make spindels of it in that country, and me thynke it may be as well named in English seying we have no other name. . . . I know no goode propertie that this tree hath, saving only it is good to make spindels and brid of cages (bird-cages).'
The wood, which is of a light yellow hue, strong, compact and easily worked, fulfils many uses. On the Continent it is used for making pipe-stems, and an excellent charcoal is made from the young shoots, which artists approve for its smoothness, and the ease with which it can be erased. It is also employed in the making of gunpowder.
Cultivation---It is found in woods and hedgerows. The green and variegated Spindle Trees are familiar in British gardens. They all grow freely in any kind of soil, and are easily increased by inserting the ripened tips of the branches, about 3 inches long, into a fine, sandy loam in autumn, keeping them damp and fresh with a frequent spraying overhead. A species from South Europe and another from Japan are cultivated.
Parts Used---The variety of Spindle Tree (Euonymus atropurpureus), common in the eastern United States, is known there as Wahoo, Burning Bush, or Indian Arrowwood. This is the kind generally used in medicine.
It is a shrub about 6 feet high, with a smooth ash-coloured bark, and has small dark purple flowers and leaves purple-tinged at the serrated edges.
Wahoo bark, as it is called commercially, is the dried root-bark of this species.
The root-bark is alone official, but the stem-bark is also collected and used as a substitute.
The root-bark, when dried, is in quilled or curved pieces, 1/12 to 1/6 inch thick, ash-grey, with blackish ridges or patches, outer surface whitish, or slightly tawny and quite smooth. Fracture friable, smooth, whitish, the inner layer appearing tangentially striated. The taste is sweetish, bitter and acrid. It has a very faint, characteristic odour, resembling liquorice.
The stem-bark is in longer quills, with a smooth outer surface, with lichens usually present on it, and a greenish layer under the epidermis.
Constituents---Little is definitely known of the chemical constituents of Euonymus Bark. Its chief constituent is a nearly colourless intensely bitter principle, a resin called Euonymin. There are also present euonic acid, a crystalline glucoside, asparagin, resins, fat, dulcitol, and 14 per cent of ash.
Commercial Euonymin is a powdered extract.
Medicinal Action and Uses---Tonic, alterative, cholagogue, laxative and hepatic stimulant.
In small doses, Euonymin stimulates the appetite and the flow of the gastric juice. In larger doses, it is irritant to the intestine and is cathartic. It has slight diuretic and expectorant effects, but its only use is as a purgative in cases of constipation in which the liver is disordered, and for which it is particularly efficacious. It is specially valuable in liver disorders which follow or accompany fever. It is mildly aperient and causes no nausea, at the same time stimulating the liver somewhat freely, and promoting a free flow of bile.
To make the decoction, add an ounce to a pint of water and boil together slowly. A small wineglassful to be given, when cold, for a dose, two or three times a day.
Of the tincture made with spirit from the bark, 5 to 10 drops may be taken in water or on sugar.
Euonymin is generally given in pill form and in combination with other tonics, laxatives, etc.
Preparations---Fluid extract, 1/2 to 1 drachm. Powdered extract, B.P. and U.S.P., 2 grains. Euonymin, 1 to 4 grains.
Other Species---The green leaves of one species of Euonymus are said to be eaten by the Arabs to produce watchfulness, and a sprig of it is believed to be - to the person who carries it - a protection from plague. Another species is said to inflict painful wounds.
The Cherokee used Euonymus americanus:
An ingredient in the medicine… “For irregular urination.” Boil for a short time the barks of cat’s paw (Euonymus), Liquidambar styraciflua, Vitis aetivalis, Plantanus occidentalis, Fagus grandifolia, Smilax glauca and Nyssa sylvatica - a tea for “bad disease.” Drink a root steep at bedtime for “clapps” (gonorrhea). It will be cured in three or four days. A warm tea is taken for stomach ache. Scrape the bark in springtime and make a tea; rub it on for cramps in the veins. Root tea is drunk for falling of the womb.
Resources of The Southern Fields and Forests tells us:
BURNING BUSH; STRAWBERRY TREE; FISHWOOD; SPINDLE TREE, (Euonymus Aynericanus.') Rare; grows in swamps; collected in St. John's Berkeley. N. C. Fl. May.
Grith's Med. Bot. 220. Emetic, discutient and anti-syphilitic. It is also thought to be narcotic. The seeds are said to be nauseous, purgative and emetic, and are used in some places to destroy vermin in the hair. The leaves are poisonous to cattle.
WAHOO, {Euonymus atropurpureus.) Possesses properties similar to the above.
Dr. Wood, in the 12th Ed. of the U. S. Disp., slates that Mr. G. W. Carpenter had introduced a bark some twenty years since as a remedy for dropsy, under the name Wahoo, he having obtained a knowledge of its virtues in the Western States. Dr. W. ascertained that it was derived from this plant, which must be distiuguished from the Elm of the Southern States, which is also called Wahoo. The bark imparts its virtues to water and alcohol. By analysis of Mr. W. T. Wenzel, it was found to contain a bitter principle, which he named euonymin, asparagin, resin, fixed oil, wax, starch, albumen, glucose, pectin and salts. (Am. J. Ph., Sept., 1862.) Mr. W. P. Clothier found the substance, which is the euonyviine of the Eclectics, to purge actively without griping. Dr. Twyman, of Mo., informed Dr. Wood that he had found the bark, as a cathartic, rather to resemble rhubarb than to possess hydragogue properties, and he thought that he had obtained from it good results as an alterative to the hepatic functions. The decoction or infusion is used in dropsy, made in the proportion of an ounce to a pint of water, and given in the dose of a wine- glassful several times a day. TJ. S. Disp. See a paper by C A. Santos, upon the Am. species; Am. J. Pharm. xx, 80.
Kings American Dispensatory of 1898 states:
There are two species of Euonymus used in medicine—the spindle-tree, E. atropurpureus, and the burning bush, or E. americanus, to both of which the term Wahoo is indiscriminately applied. They grow in many sections of the United States, in woods and thickets, and in river bottoms, and flower in June. The bark of the root is the medicinal part. It has a bitter, and somewhat unpleasant taste. Water or alcohol extracts its virtues.
Description.—The U. S. P. thus describes this drug: "In quilled or curved pieces, from 2 to 6 Mm. (1/12 to ⅕ inch) thick; outer surface ash-gray, with blackish patches detached in thin and small scales; inner surface whitish or slightly tawny, smooth; fracture smooth, whitish, the inner layers of a laminated appearance; nearly inodorous; taste sweetish, somewhat bitter and acrid"—(U. S. P.).
Chemical Composition.—Charles A. Santos found in the aqueous distillate of the bark of Euonymus atropurpureus, a volatile oil (Amer. Jour. Pharm., 1848, p. 83). Clothier, in 1861, detected starch, glucose, and pectin matter. In the following year Mr. Wm. T. Wenzell (Amer. Jour. Pharm., 1862, p. 385), found a non-crystallizable, bitter principle, euonymin (not to be confused with the old Eclectic concentration of that name), asparagin, crystallizable and non-crystallizable resins, fixed oil, malic, citric, and tartaric acids, the peculiar euonic acid, and inorganic salts. The name euonymin was first affixed to the dried powdered solid extract about 50 years ago, and was included among the Eclectic resinoids or concentrations. This is the only preparation used in medicine under the name euonymin, and must not be confused with the definite, proximate principle that follows, and which is only of chemical interest. Euonymin, as obtained from E. atropurpureus by Prof. Meyer and Dr. Romin, of Dorpat, by an elaborate process (Pharm. Centralh., 1885, p. 220), is a crystalline glucosid which corresponds in its physiological action closely with digitalin. It is sparingly soluble in water and ether, and easily soluble in alcohol. In l884, H. Paschkis (Pharm. Centralh., p. 196), called attention to the occurrence of mannit as a seemingly regular constituent of all species of Euonymus. Naylor and Chaplin (Chemist and Druggist, 1889, p. 822), identified a certain sweet substance which they bad obtained from Euonymus atropurpureus and provisionally named atropurpurine a few months before, as dulcit (C6H14O6), which is an isomer of mannit.
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—Euonymus has been in use among physicians for a long time. The bark is tonic, laxative, alterative, diuretic, and expectorant; the seeds are cathartic and emetic. In infusion, syrup, or extract, it has been successfully used in intermittents, dyspepsia, torpid liver, constipation, dropsy, and pulmonary affections. Prof. Locke states" there are but few good stomach tonics, and this agent is one of them." It stimulates the biliary flow, and has considerable anti-malarial influence, and may be used in intermittents after the chill has been broken with quinine. It stimulates the nutritive processes and improves the appetite. It may be used with advantage in atonic dyspepsia, and in indigestion due to hepatic topor or following malarial fevers. It is a remedy for chronic ague, and the consequent obstinate constipation and gastric debility accompanying or following it. A gin tincture (root ℥j to gin fl℥viij), is not without value in some cases of dropsy, particularly when associated with hepatic and renal inactivity. Dose of the tincture (℥viij to alcohol 76 per cent Oj), from 1 to 4 fluid drachms; of the syrup, from 1 to 2 fluid ounces; of the hydro-alcoholic extract, from 5 to 15 grains; of the powder, from 20 to 30 grains; of specific euonymus, 1 to 30 drops.
Specific Indications and Uses.—Prostration with irritation of the nerve centers; periodical diseases, to supplement the action of quinine; anorexia, indigestion, and constipation, due to hepatic torpor.
Related Species.—Euonymus americanus, Linné, or Strawberry-bush, is of a smaller size than the preceding variety, with smooth, 4-angled branches; leaves oval and elliptic-lanceolate, sessile, subentire at the margin, acute or obtuse at apex, smooth coriaceous, from 1 to 2 inches in length, about one-third is wide. Peduncles round, longer than the leaves, with 2, 3, or 4 flowers. Flowers somewhat larger than those of the preceding variety, yellow and pink; capsule dark-red, rough-warty, depressed, not so copious as in the former plant (W-G.). Uses similar to those of the preceding species.
Euonymus europaeus, Linné;Europe.—Cultivated somewhat in gardens. This species has lance-oblong leaves, smooth, shining, and serrate, and bears a flattened, 3-flowered pedicel, and greenish-white, 4-parted flowers. The capsule is light-red, and the arillus of an orangered color. It is not hardy in northern latitudes. In 1833, Riederer isolated in an impure state a body which he thought to be an alkaloid, and gave to it the name euonymine, and this body he believed to impart the bitter taste to the bark. According to Grundner (1847), this is simply a mixture of bitter extractive and resin. Kubel extracted a body bearing resemblance to mannit, to which he gave the name, euonymit. It is a crystallizable, saccharine principle differing from mannit in the fusing point and in crystalline structure (Jour. de Pharm., 1862). All species of Euonymus possess an orange coloring matter, and a bitter oil having this characteristic color may be obtained from the arillus of the European species by means of pressure. The fruit of this, as well as of the foregoing species has been used in ointment form for the destruction of lice. All parts of the plant are nauseous, emetic, and purgative, while the leaves are said to poison sheep and cattle.
Jethro Kloss wrote:
WAHOO (Euonymus atropurpureus)
Common Names: Whahow, wauhoo, Indian root, Indian arrow, Indian arrow wood, burning bush, bitter ash, arrow wood, spindle tree, strawberry tree, pegwood.
Part Used: Bark, bark of the root.
Medicinal Properties: Tonic, laxative, expectorant, diuretic, alterative.
Description and Uses: A splendid laxative. Excellent in chest and lung infections. Useful in fevers, malaria, dyspepsia, liver disorders, pancreas and spleen troubles. Good remedy for dropsy. Steep a small teaspoonful in a cup of boiling water for thirty minutes. Take two or three cups a day, an hour before meals. Better than quinine.
Caution: Using too much wahoo bark may result in a severe purgative action.
Be careful not to use too much and use only under proper supervision.
Plants for A Future states:
Medicinal use of Winged Spindle Tree (Euonymus alatus): The stem and branches are alterative, analgesic, anodyne, anthelmintic, anticoagulant, antiphlogistic, antipruritic, astringent blood tonic, carminative, emmenagogue, hypoglycaemic, and purgative. It is used in Korea to treat intestinal worms, suppressed menstruation and cancer. A decoction is used in China in the treatment of "cold" headache, general body aches, pruritis, irregular menstruation and other gynaecological diseases. Plants contain the anticancer compound dulcitol.
Medicinal use of Japanese Spindle Tree: The stem bark is antirheumatic, diuretic and tonic. The leaf is used in cases of difficult delivery.
Medicinal use of Strawberry Bush: The seed is strongly laxative. A tea made from the roots is used in cases of uterine prolapse, vomiting of blood, painful urination and stomach aches. The bark is diuretic, expectorant, laxative and tonic. It was used as a tea in the treatment of malaria, liver congestion, constipation etc. The powdered bark, applied to the scalp, was believed to eliminate dandruff. An infusion of the plant has been used to stimulate menstruation and so should not be used by pregnant women.
Medicinal use of Winter Creeper: Plants contain the anticancer compound dulcitol. The plant is used in gynaecological applications.
Peterson Field Guides Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants tells us:
Strawberry Bush: American Indians used root tea for uterine prolapse, vomiting of blood, stomachaches, painful urination, wash for swellings. Bark formerly used by physicians as tonic, laxative, diuretic, and expectorant. Tea used for malaria, indigestion, liver congestion, constipation, lung afflictions. Powdered bark applied to scalp was thought to eliminate dandruff. Seeds strongly laxative. Warning: Fruit, seeds and bark may be poisonous. Do not ingest - fruits may cause vomiting, diarrhea and unconsciousness.
Wahoo: Uses essentially the same as for E. americanus. Historically, the bark was used as tonic, laxative, diuretic, and expectorant. Extracts, syrup or tea were used for fever, upset stomach, constipation, dropsy, lung ailments, liver congestion, and heart medicines. The seeds were considered emetic and strongly laxative. Bark and root contain digitalis-like compounds. Warning: Fruit, seeds and bark are considered poisonous.
The PDR for Herbal Medicine states:
The drug is reported to be a laxative and choleretic. Large doses have an effect on the heart.
PS. New in my Woodcraft Shop:
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:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47LHTTH
His new cookbook is:
Read About The Omnivore’s Guide to Home Cooking for Preppers, Homesteaders, Permaculture People and Everyone Else"
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-omnivores-guide-to-home-cooking-for.html
Available for purchase on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGKX37Q2
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:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47Q1JNK
Ferns and Fern Allies, an Herbalist's Guide
Read About Ferns and Fern Allies, an Herbalist's Guide
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/11/medicinal-ferns-and-fern-allies.html
Available for purchase on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMSZSJPS
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:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5MYJ35R
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.