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Herbal Glossary | Medicinal Glossary | Herbal Preparations | Ayervedic Formulas | Chinese Formulas Dogwood
Scientific Names
Common Names
Parts Usually UsedInner bark, berries, twigs Description of Plant(s) and CultureDogwood is a native American, our most showy deciduous tree, growing to 30 feet high; the bark is brown and rough, the leaves opposite, ovate, pointed, and darker green above than beneath. Latex threads appear at veins when leaves are split apart. The flowers are small and greenish-yellow but are obscured by the large, white or pink bracts so that the whole looks like a large white or pink flower. Flowers are in clusters, April-May. The fruit is a glossy, dry, scarlet berry two celled and two seeds, is inedible and very bitter; October-November. Other varieties: Chinese dogwood (Cornus machrophylla), Chinese
name Sung-yang; in Japan this tree is Celtis muku or Ehretia serrata;
Jamaican dogwood (Piscidia erythrina) used medicinally for panic attacks
and excessive stress; and Osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) used
by the Native Americans, the inner bark has properties of quinine
used as tea internally. Where FoundFound from Maine to Florida and west to Minnesota, Kansas, and Texas. Grows in the understorey of woods, along roadsides and in old fields Medicinal PropertiesAstringent, febrifuge, stimulant, tonic Biochemical InformationTannic and gallic acids, resin, gum, oil, wax, lignin, lime potash
and iron Legends, Myths and StoriesWidely used in the South, especially during the Civil War for malarial fevers and chronic diarrhea. An 1830 herbal reported that the Native Americans and captive Africans
in Virginia were remarkable for the whiteness of their teeth, and
attributed it to the use of Dogwood chewing sticks. Once chewed for
a few minutes, the tough fibers at the ends of the twigs split into
a fine soft "brush". Also, the Native American tribe, the Arikaras,
mixed bearberry with the dried inner bark of the red dogwood to make
sacred tobacco which they smoked in a regulation red pipestone pipe. UsesDogwood bark is best used as an ointment for ague, malaria (substitute for quinine), fever, pneumonia, colds,
and similar complaints. Used for diarrhea.
Externally, poulticed onto external ulcers and sores. Twigs used as chewing
sticks, forerunners of the toothpick. It was sometimes used as a substitute
when Peruvian bark could not be obtained. Formulas or DosagesUse only dried dogwood bark. Fresh bark upsets the stomach and bowels. Infusion: steep 1 tbsp. bark in 1 pint water for 30 minutes and strain. Take 1/2 cup every 2-3 hours. Tincture: take 20-40 drops in water, as needed. WarningAs with hard toothbrushes, dogwood chewing sticks can cause receding
gums.
Bibliography
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American
dogwood
The Herb Book
, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.
, by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993Copyright © 1996-2010 Lynn DeVries, all rights reserved.