Edible Parts: Fruit  Oil
Edible Uses: Drink  Oil

Fruit - raw or cooked[62, 85, 92, 94, 95, 149]. The fruit can be eaten fresh, dried, mixed with cornmeal or made into a jam[183]. The fruit is small with very little flesh, but it is produced in fairly large panicles and so is easily harvested. When soaked for 10 - 30 minutes in hot or cold water it makes a very refreshing lemonade-like drink (without any fizz of course)[85, 92, 149, 183]. The mixture should not be boiled since this will release tannic acids and make the drink astringent. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[200].

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Analgesic  Antipruritic  Astringent  Contraceptive  Deodorant  Deodorant  Diuretic  Emetic  
Haemostatic  Odontalgic  Oxytoxic  Stomachic

Skunk bush was employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes, who valued it especially for its astringent qualities and used it to treat a range of complaints[257]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. Due to its potentially toxic nature, it should be used with some caution and preferably only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. The fruit is analgesic, astringent and stomachic[257]. It has been eaten as a treatment for stomach problems and grippe[257]. The dried berries have been ground into a powder and dusted onto smallpox pustules[257]. The fruit has been chewed as a treatment for toothache and also used as a mouthwash[257]. A decoction of the fruit has been used as a wash to prevent the hair falling out[257]. The leaves are astringent, diuretic, emetic and haemostatic[257]. An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of head colds[257]. A decoction of the leaves has been drunk to induce impotency as a method of contraception[257]. A poultice of leaves has been used to treat itches[257]. An infusion of the bark has been used as a douche after childbirth[257]. The bark has been chewed, and the juice swallowed, as a treatment for colds and sore gums[257]. A decoction of the root bark has been taken to facilitate easy delivery of the placenta[257]. The roots have been used as a deodorant[257]. The buds have been used on the body as a medicinal deodorant and perfume[257].

Basketry  Deodorant  Deodorant  Dye  Mordant  Oil  Repellent  Tannin

The leaves are rich in tannin. They can be collected as they fall in the autumn and used as a black to brown dye or as a mordant[169, 257]. The fruits can also be used as a mordant[257]. A yellow dye is obtained from the twigs[149]. black dye can be obtained when the twigs are mixed with pine gum[257]. A red-brown dye can be made from the bark and leaves[257]. A pink-tan dye can be made from the fruit[257]. The ashes of the plant can be used as a mordant to fix dyes[257]. An oil is extracted from the seeds[4]. It attains a tallow-like consistency on standing and is used to make candles. These burn brilliantly, though they emit a pungent smoke[4]. The roots have been used as a perfume and deodorant[257]. The buds have been used on the body as a medicinal deodorant and perfume[257]. The leaves have been rubbed on the body as an insect and snake repellent[257]. Some caution should be employed here, see the notes above on toxicity[K]. The branches are tough and slender, they are stripped of their bark and split into several strands then used in basket making[46, 92, 94, 95, 149, 257].

Special Uses