Page 226 - Lost Book Remedies
P. 226
The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies
Black Crowberry, Diarrhea, Dysentery, and Gastroenteritis:
Diarrhea and other stomach illnesses respond well to a
Empetrum nigrum Crowberry Leaf Infusion made from the leaves and
stems. The infusion stimulates mucous, calms the di-
gestive tract, and reduces inflammation. The cooked
Black crowberry, crowberry, or mossberry, is a low ev-
ergreen shrub that is usually 4 to 10 inches (10 cm to berries are used for gastroenteritis.
25 cm) high and forms a dense mat on the ground. It is Antibacterial and Antifungal: Crowberry
in the Ericaceae (Heath) Family and is found through- branches are both antibacterial and antifungal.
out North America, Europe, and Asia.
Eye Wash: A tea made from the roots of crowberry
can be used as an eye wash for sore eyes.
Antihistamine, Anti-inflammatory, and
Pain Relief: The berries contain the antihistamine
and anti-inflammatory quercetin. This anti-inflamma-
tory also helps with pain relief and can be used for any
disease resulting from inflammation.
Harvesting: The fruits of black crowberries are ripe
and ready to harvest between August and September.
They can be harvested until the onset of winter or they
can be allowed to winter on the plant for harvesting in
the spring.
Identification: The light green needle-like leaves
are simple and narrow, with side margins that are
strongly curled under. It likes to grow in rocky areas.
The leaves have glands that produce toxic substances
and leaves are shed every 2 to 4 years.
Black crowberry produces small, individual pink-pur-
ple flowers during the summer and a sour blue-black
fruit.
Edible Use: The berries are the only edible part of
the plant, but the twigs can be used for tea. Crowber-
ries have an acrid bitter taste, which is why they are
rarely eaten fresh. They are usually used for pies, jams,
juice, and wine.
Recipes. Crowberry Leaf Infusion: 1 ounce of
Berries ripen in autumn and remain throughout much the leaves and stems of the crowberry plant, 1 cup boil-
of the winter, making them a good Vitamin C source in ing water. Chop the leaves and stems into fine pieces
wintertime. The berries are very high in anthocyanins and cover them with boiling water.
and are an excellent antioxidant.
Cover the container tightly. Let the herbs steep until
Medicinal Use: The fruit, branches/twigs/stems, the liquid has cooled to room temperature. Strain out
and roots are used for medicine. the herbs.
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