Know your Trees

An herbalist suggested that you "know your trees" if you live in a climate where most plant life is dormant (or covered with snow) during a good portion of the year.  The last two winters in Minnesota have seemed unending with snow covering the ground from November through the end of April.  I guess I need to learn my trees!

Maple tree

Thinking about the trees in my yard as resources for health and wellness is a new way for me to view herbal medicine and trees.  

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Maple leaves and syrup

Since we have been using our maple trees for syrup I have learned to appreciate these trees on a whole new level.  Yes, I love how they shade the house from the hot summer sun, but now I appreciate them when I eat yogurt that has been sweetened with their concentrated sap.  I can even smile when I (or more likely - my husband) cleans up all the "whirly-gigs" they drop at the beginning of each summer. 

But trees as medicine?  It is not as unusual as we may initially think and after a walk around my yard with herbal medicine in mind I realized how many common trees can contribute to my herbal pharmacy.


Juniper trees have "berries" that contain anti-bacterial agents and according to herbalist, Stephen Harrod Buhner can be used to treat antibiotic resistant infections.  (Check out his book; Herbal Antibiotics, Natural Alternatives for Treating Dug-Resistant Bacteria.) 

Juniper tree

Juniper branch and dried berries

Green black walnut hulls can be tinctured or powdered and used externally as an anti fungal agent and to treat herpes and cold sores.  It can also be used internally for short periods of time to treat gastrointestinal problems and to eliminate intestinal parasites.

Black walnut tree

Black walnut leaf and tincture

Bark from wild cherry trees can be used in teas, syrups, and tinctures to calm coughs, improve digestion and promote healthy bowel function according to Rosemary Gladstar in her book; Herbal Recipe's for Vibrant Health.

Choke cherry trees have similar medicinal uses and are common in Minnesota.

Choke cherry tree

Choke cherry tree in bloom

The leaves of birch trees can be infused in olive oil to externally treat cellulite, aching muscles, rheumatism, eczema and psoriasis. Steeped in water, birch leaves make a cleansing tea that can be used to treat kidney stones, urinary gravel, cystis, gout, arthritis, rheumatism, psoriasis, eczema, fluid retention and fevers.

Birch tree

Birch leaf infused in olive oil

Willow bark contains salicin and other aspirin-like compounds that can be used as a gentle pain reliever and fever reducer for headaches, arthritis, gout, rheumatism, and muscle aches.  The spring bark can be tinctured (infused in an alcohol/water base- usually vodka).  This combination of alcohol and water extracts the active ingredients and preserves them for future use. Counterindications that apply to aspirin should be observed when using willow bark formulations.

Weeping willow tree

Willow leaves

The buds from cottonwood trees can be infused in olive oil and used externally for rheumatism, arthritis, psoriasis, eczema and burns.

Cottonwood tree

Cotton wood leave buds infused in olive oil

Although not a tree, elderberry bushes are often described as a whole medicine chest in a plant.  The leaves can be infused in oil and used externally for bruises and sprains.  The flowers can be used to make a tea to treat fevers, colds and flu, hay fever, night sweats, hot flashes and fluid retention.  The berries can be used made into a glycerite or syrup and used to treat coughs, colds, and flu.

Elderberry bush

Elderberry leave and dried flowers

Fresh elder flowers

Oak, hawthorn, horse chestnut, and linden trees are a few others that are highlighted in the book, Backyard Medicine, by Julie Burton-Seal and Matthew Seal.

By identifying the trees in your neighborhood and researching their medicinal uses you can gain important knowledge that can be used to care for your family without resorting to over the counter medications and prescription drugs.

Please note: The objective of this blog is to raise awareness of alternative ways to achieve wellness and to empower you to take an active role in your health decisions.  To accomplish this, you will need to explore these subjects in greater depth and then determine what makes sense for your life.  My hope is that this information will inspire you to start your own search into ways to make your life happier, healthier and more fulfilling.