Stress Management

Astringent, bitter, emetic, hemostatic

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 hemostatic 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.

Black alder is a deciduous tree up to 80 feet high, growing in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and locally in North America. It is found in cooler regions, forming dense stands around swamps and along streams and rivers. The alternate leaves of black alder are round, usually doubly serrate, and scalloped. The flowers are segregated by sex into separate catkins. The female flowers are reddish-purple. They develop into hard cones that contain the seeds.

Decoction: Boil I tsp. bark or leaves in 1 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.