New Jersey Tea(Ceanothus americanus)
Other Names:
Red Root, Mountain Sweet, Wild Snowball
Range:
Family:
Rhamnaceae - Buckthorn Family
Growth Type:
A compace, dense, rounded deciduous shrub.
Height:
18 - 42" tall
Leaves:
Leaf color is medium to dark green. The broad-ovate leaves have toothed margins, and grow to a lengt of 4inches. The undersides are gray in color and covered in hairs.
Stem/Trunk:
Young twigs are noticeably yellow and stand out in winter.
Root:
A thick fibrous root system with root hairs close to the surface. The remainder of the root system consists of thick, woody roots that reach deep into the earth to protect them from repeated wildfire exposure.
Flower Season:
Late spring
Flower Appearance:
Cylindrical clusters of tiny 1-2" long, fragrant, white flowers. Individual flowers are approximately 1/8" across, and they appear on long stalks at the stem ends or upper leaf axils.
Seed/Fruit:
The fruits consist of dry seed capsules which split open as the seeds ripen.
Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A
Habitat:
The plant likes to grow in dry sandy or rocky soils of open areas and praries. They also grow along forest margins, in forest clearings, along the dry banks of lakeshores, and on gentle slopes.
Parts Used:
Leaves
Culinary Uses:
The leavese can be used to brew a delicious 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.
Medicinal Uses:
Used to treat shortness of breath, bloating, colds, constipation, diarrhea, as a digestive tonic, and to improve blood flow.
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
None Known
Possible Side Effects:
None Known
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Medicinal Actions:
Antifungal,
Anti-Inflammatory,
Antioxidant,
Astringent,
Antispasmodic,
Cardiac Tonic,
Carminative,
Diaphoretic,
Diuretic,
Haemostatic,
Febrifuge,
Lymphatic,
Parasiticide,
Soporific,
Vermifuge
Herbal Preparations For Ceanothus americanus
Cold Infusion
Part Used: Root
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 ounces of the fresh chopped root into a quart mason jar, and fill the jar with clear, cold, water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours, or over night. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 2-4 oz As Needed
Tincture
Part Used: Root
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
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 root, then 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: 30-90 drops up to 4 times daily
Tincture
Part Used: Root
Plant State: 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 chopped or powdered root 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: 30-90 drops up to 4 times daily
