Native shrubs are good to have in the landscape; they are designed to grow in the conditions. However, many of these native shrubs were at one time used as old folk remedies. These all-natural remedies included things for colic, toothaches, constipation, arthritis, and ulcers. Many shrub parts were at one time used for arthritis remedies and as constipation remedies; some are given here.
Bottlebrush Buckeye
The Bottlebrush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) shrub was used in folk remedies as a colic and a whooping cough cure. This shrub gets around six to twelve feet in height and likes a shady spot in the landscape. There is a honey scented white flower that adorns the shrub and the fruits look like nuts.
Mountain Laurel
The Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) shrub has been an old folk remedy for ages. It has been used to treat bursitis and fibromyalgia. It has also been an old favorite in arthritis remedies. It is not good in shady spots and is an evergreen. It will reach a height of ten to thirty feet and has an interesting spread of crooked branches that give the shrub its signature look. It is in the Heath family of shrubs.
Devil’s Walkingstick
The Devil’s Walkingstick (Aralia spinosa) shrub was used by the early American settlers here in the United States as a toothache remedy. However, handling bark or the roots may give contact dermatitis, so care should be given around this shrub. It gets ten to twenty feet in height, and has white blooms. Plant it in full sun or partial shade areas of the landscape. It has a great fragrance and a curvy growth to it.
Strawberry Bush
The Strawberry Bush (Euonymus americana) shrub was used for its bark. It was part of the constipation remedies used in early times. The seed and other parts of this shrub are poisonous, so special care should be taken around it. It gets two to six feet tall while in partial or full shade. It is drought tolerant and good for xeriscaping efforts in a landscape.
Yellowroot
The Yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima) shrub was used by Native Americans as a tea for colds, jaundice, and for mouth ulcers. It gets up to three feet in height and likes partial or full shade. It has lovely star shaped flowers throughout the shrub. While not a healing remedy, it was at one time used to make a yellow dye with as well as medicines.
This article appeared Dec. 28, 2008 on Suite 101