The Prepper Broadcasting Network - Herbal Medicine for Preppers: Medicinal Trees, Fringe Tree, Yellowwood and Clerodendron

Starting point is 00:00:00 Hey y'all, welcome to this week's show. We'll get back into our medicinal trees and this is a unique one. It's an American native. You know, a lot of the herbs, a lot of the weeds, several of the trees and shrubs that are documented with use in herbal medicine were brought here from Europe or from Asia or from somewhere else. It's always a challenge when we find a native plant that has medicinal use because a lot of it doesn't have a lot of documentation. I mean, there's certainly exceptions to the rule. exceptions to the rule. You know, it's, well, it's unique with trees because basically, you know, a pine tree in America has the same properties as a pine tree in France or something. An oak tree in England has the same properties as an oak tree in Canada. When we come down to uniquely American herbs. There's a really fascinating history of how these came into use in medicine. In probably the mid-1700s, there arose a school of herbalism in America that was called the Eclectic School. And people like James John Audubon, or is it John James

Starting point is 00:01:24 Audubon? I don't remember. Audubon, the one that painted all the birds. He was part of it. There were several prominent figures at the time. Basically, they would learn the medicinal uses from whatever Native American tribe they were near. And then they'd go out and collect the plant and experiment with it and send samples and documentation back to Europe. And it was actually a very good way to make a living at the time.

Starting point is 00:01:53 In Europe, they were, well, interested in new plants, new medicines. I mean, Audubon made a fortune just sending them pictures of birds and plants. I mean they just really wanted to see things they couldn't see. But they were also very useful medicines. I mean so many like Joe Pyeweed, a major game changer as far as a fever lower and its fever reducer and antiviral properties. Quinine, sassafras, so many of these native herbs, the ginseng, of course, golden seal, just really took off. Well, the eclectics kind of gave way to the Thompsonians and several other, what you would call more indigenous schools of American medicine.

Starting point is 00:02:44 But really when you get down to it, it's that the reason they were called eclectic, it's the blending together of the European tradition with the New World tradition. And a lot of times when you find a purely native plant, like the one we're going to discuss now, Chianathus virginicus, means it was discovered in Virginia, known as fringe tree or old man's beard, really common where I live. You're not going to find any documentation on this in European medicine. So we start off on this one with King's American Dispensatory of 1898.

Starting point is 00:03:24 with King's American Dispensatory of 1898. The only, I believe the only documented anything I found on it in British medicine was from Maude Grieve writing in the 1930s. Apparently it had kind of made its way to England, but she gave a very brief listing just saying it was a parent diuretic, some authorities regarded as tonic and slightly narcotic it has been used in typhoid intermittent and bilis fevers it's really more malaria and externally as a poultice for inflammations or wounds and is useful in liver complaints so you can see it's somewhat similar to quinine somewhat somewhat similar to dogwood, tulip poplar, in that it was good for

Starting point is 00:04:07 these fevers. Well, this is, you know, always very important for us to know about these trees because mosquito borne illnesses are not a thing of the past and they seem to be making a comeback. In fact, you know, I don't know if it's conspiracy theory. I don't know if it's true or not, but it seems like the Gates Foundation may be experimenting with genetically engineered mosquitoes and we could be up for a whole new wave of new malaria, yellow fever type, encephalitis. What else is carried by mosquitoes? They carry some pretty bad stuff. So anyway, let's look at fringe tree. It's a real pretty tree. Like I said, real common where I live. King's American Dispensatory tells us of actions, uses, and dosages. I'm going to try to pronounce this again.

Starting point is 00:05:11 Chionanthus, C-H-I-O-N-A-N-T-H-U-S, acts principally upon the abdominal glandular organs and to some extent upon the venous system, relieving congestion. It is an alternative in the eclectic meaning of that term. While its main action is upon the visceral glands, especially the blood-making organs, its influence is quite marked in other secretive or secreting structures. Besides its pronounced catalytic properties, it is diuretic, tonic, and said to be apparent and narcotic. It is exceedingly doubtful if the later statement be true, and its apparent property, if it possesses such, is the result of its colagogue action. So obviously we need to define some terms. These are old medical terms

Starting point is 00:06:09 that aren't much in use anymore. So a parient means it stimulated the bowels, essentially laxative, but more stimulating the contractions of the bowels. The, what was the other one? Oh, colagogue. Colagogue means it produces bile, increases bile. So King's Magic is called dispensatory, saying that its effect upon the bowels is because it helps produce bile. So it's stimulating to the digestive system. It's really more the way we ought to look

Starting point is 00:06:48 at it. Professor King, in former editions of the American Dispensatory, states that in bilis and typhoid fevers, as well as in obstinate intermittence, again those are the intermittent malarial fevers, the infusion of the bark of the root is efficient. While the remedy is now but very little used, and this is in 1898, still some old school authors as well as some trade catalogs seem to have appropriated the above statements in regard to its use. So it was being used in patent medicine at the time. You know, the kind of thing you'd order from the catalog or pick up at the general store for probably constipation in this case. But it seems to be, I'm going to say, probably better for these types of fevers. It's something we really need to know about. They say it also proves a good local application of external inflammations, ulcers and

Starting point is 00:07:44 wounds. So it could be used externally to reduce inflammation for ul inflammation, ulcers and wounds. So it can be used externally to reduce inflammation for ulcerous sores and wounds. The use of an infusion of the bark is directed. Still, it is doubtful whether such a preparation would be as efficient as an alcoholic form. That means a tincture. For the resin or the resinoid, the active constituent of the drug is insoluble in water so better to make a tincture of it with alcohol than a tea of it it says that Goss I guess that was a doctor a researcher or whatever at the time states that the infusion is wholly inert, meaning that the tea doesn't really

Starting point is 00:08:25 work, but that chionanthus improves the appetite, aids digestion, promotes assimilation, and is a tonic to the whole system. It never produces catharsis. That would be like intestinal cramping. Cyananthus has been successfully used in scrofula, that's an infected inflammation of the lymph node, syphilis, but now we possess better agents for this class of disease. Yet if the patient be sallow or yellow or has hepatic pains, means pains of the liver, this would be jaundice and pains of the liver, the remedy will prove a valuable accessory agent in hastening the cure. So they thought it was good combined with other herbs.

Starting point is 00:09:26 For its prompt and efficient action in hepatic derangements, that's liver issues, we most value French tree preparations. If there is any one true in specific medicine, it is that Chiananthus has a decidedly specific action on jaundice. So it was really quite good for the liver. The credit of having brought this remedy before the profession for the purposes of which it is now used belongs to the late Professor Goss. So that's Goss. He was a physician in Georgia and a professor, I think, at the University of Georgia. So go Dawgs! I went to UGA, by the way. I'm not going to bark at you. Don't worry. Georgia, and a professor at the University of Georgia, tested it on himself while suffering from an attack of jaundice and reported the result in an Eastern Journal. Since then,

Starting point is 00:10:17 it has come to be the first remedy thought of for this complaint. Goss considered it to be the best remedy for all cases of jaundice, not dependent on gallstones. On the contrary, Professor Scudder was in high praise of it when even calculi are present. So he used it for gallstones. And I think into a little kind of more details we don't need to worry about too much, but specifically good for hypertrophy or shrinking of the liver. After long-term liver inflammation, it actually begins to harden and shrink, and that's when you're in trouble. That's cirrhosis, and they found it to be

Starting point is 00:10:58 very good for hypertrophy of the liver. Chratic inflammation that would be inflammation of the liver and portal congestion are speedily relieved by chiananthus the remedy acts quickly often in one to two weeks removing the jaundice or what they call the ecteric hue Q. That's really very interesting. They said it was good for dyspepsia, which is indigestion, especially with hepatic complications, irritative states of the stomach from high living, irritated stomach from drinking too much, basically, and the use of alcoholic stimulants, exactly. And in general chronic inflammatory conditions of the, what I say, duodetum, but now people say duodenum. That's not how I was taught. And the ductus. Chiananthus serves a useful purpose. It is often also a good remedy in infantile dyspepsia, so for infants. Good for rheumatic infections with soreness in the region of the liver and jaundice conditions.

Starting point is 00:12:10 So it's a really good liver plant, as well as being good for apparently fevers and infections spread by mosquitoes. So, I mean, I think it's a really important one to know. It said it was good for chronic inflamed spleen, splenitis, and nephritis. It's going to be kidney issues. And they said those are conditions in which the fringe tree often proves a good remedy. Also good in pancreatic disease, inflammatory or otherwise. Glandular diseases with evidence of imperfect waste often cause for its administration. Yeah, I mean, really interesting.

Starting point is 00:12:53 They said, combined with, well, okay, we'll talk about Gelsimium another day. I'm not going to give you this combination because, well, a drop too much of Gelsimium will kill a person. So this was really for a pharmacist, okay? But combined with a few other herbs, it was good for uterine leukorrhea and good for external inflammations, ulcers and wounds, etc. ulcers and wounds etc specific indication and uses they say for dirty sallow skin with expressionless eyes and hepatic tenderness again sore liver liver inflammation and ecteric hue which is going to be jaundice with or without pain hepatic colic intensive pain from liver to umbilicus that means serious pain from your liver to your belly button essentially attended with nausea and vomiting and great prostration in other words your livers in real bad shape pain in

Starting point is 00:13:52 the epigastrium and right hip hypochondrium stimulating colic sometimes extended to the abdomen jaundice with itching skin yep your liver and skin are very closely related a weakened liver will often show up in jaundice skin or itching skin eczema and psoriasis light-colored watery stools colic urine stain urine that stains the clothing yellow really dark urine can also be an issue a sign that your well really your liver is not cleansing the blood all that well or it can be that I mean don't freak out if you have really dark urine many things can cause that many things okay dehydration is usually the main thing you may have a virus and that can do it

Starting point is 00:14:44 if you've recently had a fever the fever breaks your body flushes a lot of toxins You may have a virus and that can do it. If you've recently had a fever, the fever breaks, your body flushes a lot of toxins. Occasionally something you've eaten or drank can do it. So don't freak out, but it can be a symptom. Plants for a Future states, Fringetree was commonly used by the North American Indians and European settlers alike Plants for a parient, colagogue, diuretic, febrifusion tonic. It is used in the treatment of gallbladder pain and gallstones, jaundice, and chronic weakness. A tincture of the bark was once widely used in the treatment of hypertrophy of the liver,

Starting point is 00:15:46 jaundice, bilis headaches, gallstones, rheumatism, etc etc the root bark also appears to strengthen the function of the pancreas and spleen whilst anecdotal evidence indicates that it may substantially reduce sugar levels in the urine it's another thing blood sugar can affect the color of your urine the fringe tree also stimulates the appetite and digestion and is an excellent remedy for chronic illness especially where the liver has been affected. A tea or a poultice can be made from the root bark for external use as a wash for wounds, inflammation, sores, infections, etc. The roots can be harvested any time of the year. The bark is peeled from them and is dried for later use. Peterson Field Guide for Eastern and Central Medicinal Plants says, physicians formerly used 10 drops every three hours of tincture for jaundice. The tincture was one part by weight in five parts, 50% grain, alcohol, and water. Okay, so that's like 100%

Starting point is 00:16:39 I mean 100 proof vodka that's 50% alcohol and one part weight to five parts of the bark to five parts of the vodka. So it's not as complicated as it sounds. In the late 19th century, fringe bark tree was widely employed by physicians who thought it to relieve congestion of glandular organs and the venous system. It was employed for hypertrophy of the liver, wounds, nephritis, and rheumatism. Once considered diuretic alternative coligog and tonic, American Indians used the root bark tea to wash inflammation, sores, cuts, and infections.

Starting point is 00:17:18 Warning, overdose causes vomiting, frontal headaches, and slow poults. I don't know what that is. P-O-U-L-T-S, poults. Hmm, sounds like a chicken to me, but I have no idea. But anyway, don't overdo it. And interestingly, the physician's desk reference for herbal medicine, which is like the go-to for a doctor, if you go in and say, doc, I'm using this herb, he's going to pull out the PDR, look it up and see if it contrary indicates with any

Starting point is 00:17:49 medications he's prescribed. They actually list fringe tree and they say fringe tree, because of its saponin content, is said to have hepatic, colagog, diuretic, and tonic effects. Unproven uses. it is used in the treatment of the liver and gallbladder conditions including gallstones North American folk use includes jaundice hepatrophies again it's deliver wounds and alters no health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

Starting point is 00:18:29 So according to the PDR, which is, you know, like the go-to for the medical community, it's pretty safe. They just don't say whether it works or not. Well, I think we've got enough documented evidence to say that, you know, we would find it useful. All right, I got, you know, one more. Maybe I can, I got time to, heck, I got time to do two more because they're both short. Cladrastus kentukiae.

Starting point is 00:18:58 I think it's going to be Kentucky-ay in Latin. This is another native one because it's coming from Kentucky. Kentucky-ay, right? Cladrastus is known as yellowwood. And I'm telling you, French tree is a really pretty plant, but as attractive as French tree is, it meets its match in yellowwood. Unique to my region, this tree blooms with long trails of cascading flowers. It's just gorgeous. Unfortunately unfortunately I cannot nail down any documented research on medicinal use I found some folk lore on it I found some mentions here and there I just figured I'd mention this one because it's really pretty and it's a leguminous tree which means it's going to help fix nitrogen

Starting point is 00:19:42 I would encourage you to plant this when you're in landscape. It's going to be probably the prettiest tree in your yard and if I ever find anything I can say for sure is accurate about its medicinal use I'll let you know. But one that does Not at all native to America. It is Chlorodendron trichotomum. It is Chinese. And who knows when it was brought here. It's been naturalized. It's become a really common plant in America's southeast, around North Carolina and such. Its common names include Harlequin Glory Bower.

Starting point is 00:20:30 So obviously it was brought in ornamentally. It's another very pretty tree. The Chinese name is Chow Wu Tong. Plants for a future states of medicinal use of Chow Wu Tong. The leaves are mildly analgesic. It means it helps with pain, like an aspirin, you know, that's analgesic. Antipyritic, and that's, well, it basically means itchy skin. It helps against itchy skin. Hypotensive means it lowers blood pressure. And sedative.

Starting point is 00:21:09 They are used externally in the treatment of dermatitis and internally for the treatment of hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, numbness, and paralysis. When used in a clinical trial of 171 people, the blood pressure of 81% of the people dropped significantly. This effect was reversed when the treatment was stopped. That's pretty incredible, actually. Yeah, you can probably find... Chlerodendron. There we go.

Starting point is 00:21:41 Chlerodendron. All right, I think that's it. There we go, Clarodendrum. All right, I think that's it. Yeah, Clarodendrum, known as Harlequin Glory Bower or Chu Wu Tong at your local garden center as an ornamental plant. Its effect on blood pressure is really impressive. Really impressive. The plant is normally used in conjunction with Biden's Bipinata.

Starting point is 00:22:04 The plant is normally used in conjunction with Biden's Bipinata. When used with the herb, Sigisbeckia pubescens. There's a common name for that, but it is not coming to me. S-I-E-G-E-S-B-E-C-K-I-A. Sigisbeckia pubescens. All right. I'll look at it at some point and let you know. So when used with that, it's anti-inflammatory. The roots and leaves are anti-rheumatic and

Starting point is 00:22:32 hypotensive. A decoction is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension. The pounded seed is used to kill lice. So that's a really nice ornamental plant. You know, I'll just go ahead real quick and just Google this C. beckiaccia so you know what it is I don't normally do this in the middle of a show obviously but I don't want to leave you hanging oh okay st. Paul's wort yeah it's in the Asteraceae family it's pretty common weed, actually, a real good herb. It looks a lot like St. John's wort, but it's more weedy, and it's known as St. Paul's wort. So, yes, that's Sejinsbeckia.

Starting point is 00:23:16 So, apparently, that combined with Chow Wu Tong, or Clorodendronron is anti-inflammatory. So, you know, I'm going to wrap it up there. I think, wow, these are some really useful trees. Some of them, like I said, are wild and native. Well, two of them and one of them is an import that you may actually have an easier time finding because it's going to be sold as an ornamental. Really, all these are just really gorgeous trees. I mean, if you're planning your landscaping,

Starting point is 00:23:49 I would definitely think about including any of the three in there. So, y'all have a good one, and I'll talk to you next time. The information in this podcast is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing I say or write has been evaluated or approved by the FDA. I'm not a doctor. The U.S. government does not recognize the practice of herbal medicine, and there is no governing body regulating herbalists. Therefore, I'm really just a guy who studies herbs.

Starting point is 00:24:19 I'm not offering any advice. I won't even claim that anything I write or say is accurate or true. I can tell you what herbs have been traditionally used for. I can tell you my own experience and if I believe an herb has helped me. I cannot nor would I tell you to do the same. If you use an herb anyone recommends, 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, a sensitivity, an underlying condition that no one else even shares and you don't even know about.

Starting point is 00:24:51 Be careful with your health. By continuing to listen to my podcast or read my blog, you agree to be responsible for yourself, for your own research, make your own choices, and not to blame me for anything ever.

The Prepper Broadcasting Network - Herbal Medicine for Preppers: Medicinal Trees, Fringe Tree, Yellowwood and Clerodendron

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