A spreading, open-growing shrub growing up to 3 m tall, rarely to 5 m. The leaves are alternate, 30-50 cm long, compound with 11-31 leaflets, each leaflet 5-11 cm long, with a serrated margin. The leaves turn scarlet in the fall. The flowers are tiny, green, produced in dense erect panicles 10-25 cm tall, in the spring, later followed by large panicles of crimson berries that remain throughout the winter. The buds are small, covered with brown hair and borne on fat, hairless twigs. The bark on older wood is smooth and grey to brown.

Alterative, antiseptic, astringent, galactogogue, haemostatic, rubefacient and tonic (bark or root bark); appetizer, astringent, diuretic and emetic (tea made from the roots); diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, purgative and refrigerant (berries)

Plants For A Future

Tartaric acid (plant); fisetin, tannin (leaves)

A tea made from the bark or root bark is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, fevers, general debility, sore mouths, rectal bleeding, uterine prolapse etc. It is used as a gargle to treat sore throats and applied externally to treat excessive vaginal discharge, burns and skin eruptions. The powdered bark can be applied as a poultice to old ulcers. An infusion of roots is used in the treatment of colds, sore throats, painful urination, retention of urine and dysentery. An infusion of the green or dried branches has been used in the treatment of TB. A decoction of the branches, with the seed heads, has been used to treat itchy scalps and as a bathing water for frost-bitten limbs. The milky latex from the plant has been used as a salve on sores. A tea made from the leaves was used in the treatment of asthma, diarrhoea and stomatitis. A poultice of the leaves has been used to treat skin rashes. The leaves have been chewed to treat sore gums and they have been rubbed on the lips to treat sore lips. The berries are used in the treatment of late-onset diabetes, stranguary bowel complaints, febrile diseases, dysmenorrhoea etc. The berries are chewed as a remedy for bed-wetting. The blossoms have been chewed as a treatment for sore mouths. A decoction of the blossoms has been used as a mouthwash for teething children. An infusion of the blossoms has been used as an eye wash for sore eyes.

James A Duke and Maryl Fulton. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs - 2nd Edition, P: 678, CRC Press July 2002.