Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines: Amorpha, Indigobush and Aronia

Amorpha, Indigobush

Three Varieties of Amorpha have documented use in Herbal Medicine: Amorpha canescens - Lead Plant, Amorpha fruticosa - False Indigo, Amorpha nana - Dwarf Indigobush.

Six Amorphas are native to my region: Amorpha fruticosa (Tall Indigo-bush), Amorpha georgiana var. confusa (Savanna Indigo-bush), Amorpha georgiana var. georgiana (Georgia Indigo-bush), Amorpha glabra (Mountain False Indigo, Appalachian Indigo-bush), Amorpha herbacea var. herbacea (Dwarf Indigo-bush), Amorpha schwerinii (Piedmont Indigo-bush)

All of the Indigo Bush varieties seem to be similar in their actions. They bear edible fruit that helps reduce mucus congestion. These are somewhat rare, even though their range covers much of the United States. While not among our most useful shrubs medicinally, and not being large producers of fruit, they are quite pretty and would be a nice addition to a native plants based landscape.

Aronia

Three varieties of Aronia have documented use in Herbal Medicine: Aronia arbutifolia - Red Chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa - Black Chokeberry, Aronia prunifolia - Purple Chokeberry

All three varieties are also native to my region.

Aronias are in the Rose family, and are used interchangeably. The fruit is tart and very high in Vitamin C. It was much used by Native Americans in the making of pemmican, which was an essential winter survival food comprised of dried meat, berries, fat and sometimes seeds or nuts. Aronia berries are also useful for colds and flu. All members of the Rose family are astringent and can be used to stop diarrhea and to reduce tissue inflammation.

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.