Stress Management

Astringent, bitter, emetic, haemostatic

Fresh alder bark will cause vomiting, so use dried bark except for emetic purposes.

A decoction of the bark makes a good gargle for sore throat and pharyngitis. The powdered bark and the leaves have been used as an internal astringent and tonic, and the bark also as an internal and external haemostatic against hemorrhage. Boiling the inner bark in vinegar produces a useful external wash for lice and for skin problems such as scabies and scabs. It can be used to clean your teeth.

Smooth alder is a shrub or tree with blackish bark that is lightly speckled with small, grayish to orange lenticels. Its leaves are elliptic to obovate, finely serrate and usually fine-haired underneath. It can be found from Nova Scotia to Oklahoma, Florida, and Louisiana.

Decoction: Boil I tsp. bark or leaves in I cup water. For internal use, take 1 to 2 cups a day, in mouthful doses.

Tincture: A dose is from 1/2 to 1 tsp.

Powder: A dose is from 8 to 12 grains.