Creeping Snowberry
(Gaultheria hispidula)
Other Names:
N/A
Range:
Family:
Ericaceae - Heath or Heather Family
Growth Type:
A ground hugging perennial creeping shrub
Height:
Creeping ground hugging
Leaves:
Tiny, oval, alternate leaves, which smell of wintergreen
Stem/Trunk:
Stems are typically unbranched and have alternating leaves along their lengths
Root:
Spreading root system
Flower Season:
Summer
Flower Appearance:
The flowers are tiny, 4 lobed, drooping, and bell shaped.
Seed/Fruit:
White berries appear in leaf axils, and continue through the winter
Miscellaneous characteristics:
Closely related to, and often mistaken for gaultheria procumbens, wintergreen. The leaves of G. hispidula are smaller, and the berries are white rather than the pale red of those from G procumbens. The two plants are virtually interchangeable, although I like the taste of the wintergreen berry slightly more than that of the creeping snowberry
Habitat:
Mossy evergreen forests and bogs
Parts Used:
Fruit, Leaves, Stem
Culinary Uses:
The fruit can be eaten raw, or made into jams, or baked into pies and tarts. The leaves and stems can be eaten raw, although they are dry. They can also be brewed for a very good wintergreen flavored tea.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics
Taste: Sweet
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying
Traditional Medicinal Uses:
The leaves contain high amounts of Methyl Salicylate, the forerunner of modern aspirin. Leaf tea has been used to soothe colds, headaches, stomachaches, fever, kidney ailments; Externally as a wash for rheumatism, sore muscles, lumbago. The chemical Methyl Salicylate, has anti-inflammatory and pain killing properties. There have been recent studies have shown that small amounts have delayed the onset of tumors.
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
None Known
Possible Side Effects:
None Known
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Medicinal Actions:
Analgesic,
Anti-Inflammatory,
Antineoplastic,
Antirheumatic,
Febrifuge,
Odontalgic,
Stomachic
Herbal Preparations For Gaultheria hispidula
Tea
Part Used: Leaves
Plant State: Fresh or recently dried
Place 2 tsp of fresh chopped leaves, or 1 tsp of dried leaves in a large mug. Pour almost boiling water over the leaves. Steep for 20 minutes. Strain to remove sediment.
Dosage: 4-6 ounces as needed
Strong Decoction
Part Used: Leaves
Plant State: Fresh or recently dried
Place 2 ounces of fresh, or 1 ounce of dried plant into a pan. Add 1 quart of water, and bring to a boil. Continue to boil over medium heat, stirring periodically, until reduced by half. Cool the mixture, and strain and drink.
Dosage: 4-6 ounces as needed
Infusion
Part Used: Leaves
Plant State: Fresh or recently dried
Place 2 ounces of the chopped leaves into a quart mason jar, and fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 4-6 ounces as needed
Infused Oil
Part Used: Leaves
Plant State: Fresh or recently dried
Natural Solar infusion method: Chop well 2 ounces of leaves, or 1 ounce of dried leaves, and place it in a pint size mason jar. Next add 5 ounces of the oil of your choice to the mason jar, cover, and place in a sunny spot for a month or so. Strain your oil, and store in the refrigerator until needed.
Dosage: Use to make ointment.
Ointment or Salve
Infused oils are turned into ointments and salves. In a medium saucepan, heat your previously prepared infused oil over low heat. When the oil is hot enough, stir in 3 tsp of grated bees wax into the oil. When the wax is completely dissolved, dip the back of a clean cold spoon into the mixture. Allow it to cool and solidify. If the ointment is too hard, add more oil, if it is too soft, add more bees wax, until you reach your desired consistency. I like to add Lanolin to all of my ointments, as I love the luxurious texture, and soothing effect it has on the skin.
Dosage: Apply topically as needed
Tincture
Part Used: Leaves
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 60%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh leaves, then pour in 600 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 150 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 40-60 drops up to 4 times daily as needed
Tincture
Part Used: Leaves
Plant State: Recently dried
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Place 150 grams of dried plant material into a quart mason jar. Now pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 40-60 drops up to 4 times daily as needed
