Description

Hydrangea (Hydrangea Arborescens) Root

***CAUTION: TOXIC AND NOT FOR INTERNAL USE! All parts of the plant contain cyanide, one of the deadliest poisons known to man.

HERB COMMON NAME :  Hydrangea

HERB SCIENTIFIC NAME :  Hydrangea Arborescens

OTHER NAMES :  Seven Barks

FAMILY :  Hydrangeceae

ASSOCIATIONS & CORRESPONDENCES :

• Element: Fire
• Planet: Jupiter / Moon
• Direction: South

Parts Used:  Root and Rhizome

Description:  **CAUTION: NOT FOR INGESTION! All parts of the plant contain cyanide, one of the deadliest poisons known to man. On the positive side, they contain low amounts of it. Hydrangeas are moderately toxic for pets if ingested, same is the deal with children. Grown-up humans can show more resilience.  Nevertheless, should poisoning occur, it comes with vomiting, heavy breathing, lethargy, stomach ache and, in worst cases, coma.

Hydrangea is a genus of nearly 75 species of flowering shrubs of ancient origin. Evidence exists that hydrangea thrived in Asia as long as 25 million years ago and in North America more than 70 million years ago. This species of hydrangea has a long history of use by Native Americans and early European settlers that is now backed up by modern science.

Hydrangea is a water-loving shrub known for its lush greenery and large, dramatic blooms, some of which change color as the season progresses. The plant is original to Asia but is now widely grown as a landscaping specimen in temperate climates elsewhere. Because the outer layer of its stems tend to peel, revealing different shades of pith beneath, hydrangea has earned the nickname of Seven Barks.

Tea and herbal preparations are made of the root, which contains a crystalline substance in the coumarin family called hydrangine, also known as umbelliferone.

The Cherokees used hydrangea root to address skin irritations, burns and wounds.

The Cherokees also used hydrangea root for bladder and kidney stones. The traditional “kidney stone tea” consists of hydrangea root, cramp bark, plantain leaf and Joe Pye weed. In Chinese medicine, hydrangea root has also been used for centuries to treat stones of the bladder and kidneys. Japanese scientists have found that there may be merit to using this herb to encourage the passing of small kidney stones.

In China, the root is used to counter malaria.

Hydrangea root appears to have a protective effect on the liver as well. A study published in the Japanese medical journal Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (BBB) in 2003 reported that hydrangea root extracts deliver more antioxidant value to the liver than milk thistle and turmeric extracts combined.

In the June 5, 2009 issue of Science, a team of researchers from the Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine and the Immune Disease Institute at Children’s Hospital Boston and another from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine announced that hydrangea root may play a role in the treatment of a number of autoimmune disorders, including eczema, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Researchers found that halofuginone (a molecule isolated from hydrangea root) blocked the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals collectively referred to as cytokines. This substance also inhibited the production of Th17, a specialized immune system helper cell thought to be involved in triggering an inflammatory response that causes the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissue.

***CAUTION : Not for internal use. May cause vomiting, heavy breathing, lethargy, stomach ache, and coma in the worst cases.

Historical Uses:  diuretic, anti-lithic, urinary calculi, nephritis, cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, BPH, skin irritations, burns, wounds, bladder stones, kidney stones, protects the liver, treats malaria, treats autoimmune disorders, eczema, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease

Mystical Attributes:  The root has been used to calm nightmares.

Use the bark of the hydrangea to unhex by carrying, scattering around the house, or burning.

Mystical Intentions:  dream work, breaking hexes, calm nightmares

Other Uses:

• A tea is made from the root of the plant, which contains a crystalline substance in the coumarin family called hydrangine, also known as umbelliferone.

Botany, Cultivation & Harvesting:  Hydrangea is native to the eastern United States, from southern New York to the panhandle of Florida, west to eastern Oklahoma and southeastern Kansas. It is a small- to medium-sized, deciduous shrub up to 3 m (10 ft) tall. The inflorescence of smooth hydrangea is a corymb.

The showy, sterile flowers are usually absent or if present they are usually less than 1 cm in diameter. Flowering occurs May to July. Fruit is a ribbed brown capsule about 2 mm long; many are produced.

The leaves of smooth hydrangea are large (8 to 18 cm long), opposite, serrated, ovate, and deciduous. The lower leaf surface is glabrous or with inconspicuous fine hairs, appearing green; trichomes of the lower surface are restricted to the midrib and major veins.

It is mainly found under a hardwood forest canopy and is often common along woodland road banks and streams. It grows primarily in moist fertile soils rich in organic matter. Hydrangea can spread rapidly by stolons to form colonies, so can be divided in late winter and planted directly in the garden. Sow seed in a greenhouse in spring. Cover the pot with paper until the seed germinates. When they are large enough to handle, transplant seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent location in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

The roots are harvested in the autumn and it is best to cut them into short sections before drying them. Store dried hydrangea root pieces in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Contraindications & Toxicity:

• May cause dizziness & gastrointestinal tract upset
• May cause a feeling of constriction in the chest
• May cause disorders of the central nervous system
• May cause giddiness and sedation

Constituents: 

• Carbohydrates
• Flavonoids
• Saponins (Hydrangin)

Sources: https://spiritartsandherbs.com/sources

**IMPORTANT INFORMATON: Products are sold as curio items for entertainment purposes only and based upon historical and magical uses.  We do not imply or guarantee that any items provide specific abilities, powers, outcomes, remedies, or treatments. Any information provided on listings or through private conversation is intended for educational purposes only and are based on historical folklore and traditions, and should not replace the advice of a physician. Use our products at your own risk. By purchasing this item, you understand and release Spirit Arts & Herbs Inc from any liability. No items we sell are for internal use and should never be ingested for any reason. Some may also not be safe for topical application, or even be safe to touch while unprotected. Always use proper safety precautions when using our products. We will not be held responsible for illness, injury, or death from the use of any product.

PRODUCT IS NOT A TREATMENT. This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. CAUTION : Do not use ANY product if pregnant or nursing. Do not use if allergic to any ingredients. Prior to use, consult with your professional health-care provider to ensure safe use and understand effects that ingredients may cause relative to safety, personal conditions, and medication interactions which may be harmful. FOR ADULT USE ONLY. By purchasing, you confirm that you are over 18 years of age. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not use more than recommended by your healthcare professional.  Purchase of this product indicates that you have read, understand, and agree to Spirit Arts & Herbs Terms and Conditions.

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