- Region
- North America
- Origin
- North America
- Other names
- New Jersey-thee
North America · Herb · № 368
Ceanothus americanus
Herb · North America
Red root
Ceanothus americanus
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, antispasmodic, expectorant, calming; for a swollen spleen (e.g. after glandular fever), cools and constricts blood vessels in bleeding and congestion of the uterus, liver and lymph.
Safety notes
Not with iron supplements or blood thinners, not in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Herbs for viral infections: Not with iron supplements or blood thinners, not in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine: Not in pregnancy or with blood thinners.
Preparation
Tea or cold infusion: 1–2 tsp per cup, 10–12 min, 1–2 cups a day; tincture 3–90 drops 1–3 times a day.
Use in traditions
During the American War of Independence settlers drank the leaves as 'New Jersey tea' instead of taxed English tea. Indigenous peoples used the red root for sore throat, fever and diarrhoea. In Western herbalism it is used for swollen lymph nodes and spleen.
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.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Astringent, antispasmodic, expectorant, calming; for a swollen spleen (e.g. after glandular fever), cools and constricts blood vessels in bleeding and congestion of the uterus, liver and lymph.
Preparation and amount
Tea or cold infusion: 1–2 tsp per cup, 10–12 min, 1–2 cups a day; tincture 3–90 drops 1–3 times a day.
Herbs for viral infections
Attributed effects
Supports the spleen and lymphatic system (tannins, ceanothine); especially for asthma, bronchitis and cough; further for dental care, fever, gonorrhoea, insomnia, dysentery.
Preparation and amount
Tincture or capsule; tea of dried root powder 10–15 min in boiling water; 1 teaspoon 3–4 times a day.
Caution: Not with iron supplements or blood thinners, not in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine
Attributed effects
For periods stopped by a cold, for diarrhoea and sores and for a sore mouth.
Preparation and amount
Boil the root; the dried root bark as a powder on sores.
Caution: Not in pregnancy or with blood thinners.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)TincturePowder and kitchen