- Region
- North America
- Origin
- Woods and stream banks in the eastern and southern United States, as far as Texas; also recorded in Ontario
- Traditions
- Cherokee medicine
North America · Herb · № 987
Euonymus americanus
Herb · North America
Hearts-a-bustin'
Euonymus americanus
A shrub of the spindle family, up to two metres tall. In autumn the warty pink fruits burst open to show seeds in a bright red aril. Seeds and fruits are strongly purgative, as in other spindles, and the genus is considered poisonous.
Safety notes
Seeds and fruits are poisonous and cause severe diarrhoea; keep them away from children. Do not take it internally. Traditional use is no proof of effect; consult a doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication or have a medical condition.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine: Seeds and fruits are poisonous.
Preparation
Do not prepare it yourself.
Use in traditions
The name refers to the fruits that burst open in autumn. Garrett tells the Cherokee story of the young man who hid behind this shrub to watch the girl who fetched water at the river; his heart burst with love, and she became the moon. According to Hamel and Chiltoskey the Cherokee drank an infusion of root or bark for stomach ache, urinary troubles and a prolapsed womb, and sniffed it for a blocked sinus. The bark went, with sweetgum and summer grapes, into a tea.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine
Attributed effects
An infusion of root or bark for stomach ache, urinary troubles and a prolapsed womb, and sniffed for a blocked sinus; the bark in a tea with sweetgum and summer grapes.
Preparation and amount
Do not prepare it yourself.
Caution: Seeds and fruits are poisonous.