The #Schinus #terebinthifolia” #Brazilian #peppertree - Florida Holly #Chair Thread

Herbal Medicines, they are all around us. I have two very large “Schinus terebinthifolia” (Brazilian Peppertree - Florida holly) trees in our back yard I have been trying to cut down.

As a young child in I, Florida often played in abandoned Slash Pine Forest, where they used to bleed trees for their resin and many still had the tin metal guides on them.

So while getting the very thick clear sticky resin from the Pepper tree cuts on me, I wondered if I could use it in wood finishes etc. Much to my surprise, as I had never looked it up the invasive weed in Flordia is a Herbal Medical Goldmine.

The physician's vade-mecum : containing the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of diseases : accompanied by a select collection of formulae, and a glossary of terms
by Hooper, Robert, 1773-1835; Practitioner of the state of New York

Publication date 1809

The #Schinus #terebinthifolia” #Brazilian #peppertree - Florida Holly #Chair Thread

Herbal Medicines, they are all around us. I have two very large “Schinus terebinthifolia” (Brazilian peppertree/Florida holly) trees in our back yard I have been trying to cut down.

a young child in Florida  often played in abandoned Slash Pine Forest, where they used to bleed trees for their resin and many still had the tin metal guides on them.

So while getting the very thick clear sticky resin from the Pepper tree cuts on me, I wondered if I could use in in wood finishes etc. Much to my surprise, as I have never looked it it up the invasive weed in Flordia is a Herbal Medical Goldmine.

>>
Indians throughout South and Central America, Brazilian peppertree is reported to be an astringent, antibacterial, diuretic, digestive stimulant, tonic, antiviral, and wound healer. In Peru, the sap is used as a mild laxative and a diuretic, and the entire plant is used externally for fractures and as a topical antiseptic. The oleoresin is used externally as a wound healer, to stop bleeding, and for toothaches, and it is taken internally for rheumatism and as a purgative. In South Africa, a leaf tea is used to treat colds, and a leaf decoction is inhaled for colds, hypertension, depression, and irregular heart beat. In the Brazilian Amazon, a bark tea is used as a laxative, and a bark-and-leaf tea is used as a stimulant and antidepressant. In Argentina, a decoction is made with the dried leaves and is taken for menstrual disorders and is also used for respiratory and urinary tract infections and disorders.
Brazilian peppertree is still employed in herbal medicine today in many countries. It is used for many conditions in the tropics, including menstrual disorders, bronchitis, gingivitis, gonorrhea, gout, eye infections, rheumatism, sores, swellings, tuberculosis, ulcers, urethritis, urogenital disorders, venereal diseases, warts, and wounds. In Brazilian herbal medicine today, the dried bark and/or leaves are employed for heart problems (hypertension and irregular heart beat), infections of all sorts, menstrual disorders with excessive bleeding, tumors, and general inflammation. A liquid extract or tincture prepared with the bark is used internally as a stimulant, tonic, and astringent, and externally for rheumatism, gout, and syphilis. [24]
Recently, the fruit of the plant has been studied and shows promise as a treatment for MRSA. A chemical in the berry appears to stop bacteria from producing a toxin which breaks down tissue. It also appears to suppress the way the bacteria communicate.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schinus_terebinthifolius#Medicinal_uses

As I explore it more, I will add notes to this blog.

http://druidherbalism.blogspot.com/2017/07/r-schinus-terebinthifolia-brazilian.html

Using our Amazon associate links may help feed the Cats, thanks.