Red Root
Latin: Ceanothus americanus
Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn)
Common Names: Mountain Lilac, Buckbrush, Snow Brush, Desert Buckthorn, New Jersey Tea*
*New Jersey tea was coined during the American Revolution because its leaves were used by American colonists as a substitute for imported tea.
Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn)
Common Names: Mountain Lilac, Buckbrush, Snow Brush, Desert Buckthorn, New Jersey Tea*
*New Jersey tea was coined during the American Revolution because its leaves were used by American colonists as a substitute for imported tea.
“Red Root is one of our great unsung plant medicines.” – Michael Moore
First used by Native people to treat colds, fevers, pneumonia, digestive ailments, toothaches, catarrh, sore throats, skin cancer, venereal sores, and even urinary tract infections. The Chippewa Indians used Red Root to treat shortness of breath, bloating, and constipation. The Iroquois Indians used Red Root to treat diarrhea, colds, and to improve blood flow, while the Cherokee Indians used Red Root as a general digestive tonic.
This common and widespread plant is now commonly used as a lymphatic in modern American herbal medicine. Michael Moore speaks specifically to Redroot’s impact on the blood and lymph:
“As a tonic, you need to understand that Red Root, particularly the tincture, helps to diminish the tendency for red blood cells to clump together in blood that is either high in fat chylomicrons (after a heavy meal, as an example) or with elevated inflammatory compounds (from allergic, sensitizing or other immunologic responses), a condition called rouleau. Another way to describe it is having sticky or viscous blood, with adhering constituents and diminished surface tension or charge. Red Root kicks up the charge, helps blood cells and inner vessel linings repel each other better, the blood, while not changing chemistry, changes its osmolality and flows better. This aids the transport across capillary walls of diffuse substances and the non-protein fractions of blood that becomes interstitial fluid and lymph.”
This common and widespread plant is now commonly used as a lymphatic in modern American herbal medicine. Michael Moore speaks specifically to Redroot’s impact on the blood and lymph:
“As a tonic, you need to understand that Red Root, particularly the tincture, helps to diminish the tendency for red blood cells to clump together in blood that is either high in fat chylomicrons (after a heavy meal, as an example) or with elevated inflammatory compounds (from allergic, sensitizing or other immunologic responses), a condition called rouleau. Another way to describe it is having sticky or viscous blood, with adhering constituents and diminished surface tension or charge. Red Root kicks up the charge, helps blood cells and inner vessel linings repel each other better, the blood, while not changing chemistry, changes its osmolality and flows better. This aids the transport across capillary walls of diffuse substances and the non-protein fractions of blood that becomes interstitial fluid and lymph.”
Properties & Actions
Alterative, Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-oxidant, Astringent, Anti-spasmodic, Blood coagulant, Haemostatic, Expectorant, Lymphatic, Spleen tonic, Hepatic, Mild hypotensive
Uses & Indications
When the blood and lymph becomes sticky and thick, from say a long term infection, blood cells and inner vessel linings develop a weak electrical charge. Thus, becoming boggy, stuck and inflamed. Red Root, and especially the Ceanothenic acid will, in a sense recharge the cells with a stronger electrical charge. This is crucially important. Weak and tired blood cells lose their electrical charge when under stress, especially when fighting a long term infection. This causes waste to accumulate in the blood and lymph. By using Red Root, you recharge the cell walls and allow waste to be removed once again. There are very few plants that do this like Red Root does. Red Root is an effective anti-inflammatory for both the liver and spleen. Red Root can boost T cell count significantly. So, not only does it recharge the cell wall’s electrical system, it stimulates the immune system in profound ways. In my experience, there is no finer Lymphatic herb out there. One that is safe, can be used with just about everyone out there, from children to elderly. (Voyagebotanica.net)
I love plants that have two seemingly opposite properties. The tannins in the root bark tighten and tone tissues, whereas the saponins open and restore flow, making redroot and excellent remedy for damp stagnation of all sorts. Red root has a neutral temperature, so you can add other herbs to bring warmth or cooling as necessary.
Use red root tea or tincture for boggy sore throats, swollen lymph glands, mumps, tonsillitis, lymphoedema, or general lymphatic cleansing. It is a specific remedy for mononucleosis and other conditions resulting in and enlarged spleen.
It improves the flow of blood to relieve headaches after eating a high fat meal; Clears mucus in the head, lungs, and digestive tract; And as a tonic aids damp stagnation in the gut indicated by post meal digestive sluggishness, poorly digested food, a swollen, scalloped tongue, and or melancholy mood.
This melancholic stagnation may also block creativity. Digesting and assimilating what we take in intellectually and energetically is an important part of the creative process. Work with red route to resolve artistic blocks and inspire creativity. Include the root bark in formulas that stir things up to speed the removal of waste products. The leaves can be added to smoking blends and make a nice beverage tea. (Scott Kloos, Pacific Northwest Medicinal Plants)
Use red root tea or tincture for boggy sore throats, swollen lymph glands, mumps, tonsillitis, lymphoedema, or general lymphatic cleansing. It is a specific remedy for mononucleosis and other conditions resulting in and enlarged spleen.
It improves the flow of blood to relieve headaches after eating a high fat meal; Clears mucus in the head, lungs, and digestive tract; And as a tonic aids damp stagnation in the gut indicated by post meal digestive sluggishness, poorly digested food, a swollen, scalloped tongue, and or melancholy mood.
This melancholic stagnation may also block creativity. Digesting and assimilating what we take in intellectually and energetically is an important part of the creative process. Work with red route to resolve artistic blocks and inspire creativity. Include the root bark in formulas that stir things up to speed the removal of waste products. The leaves can be added to smoking blends and make a nice beverage tea. (Scott Kloos, Pacific Northwest Medicinal Plants)
A powerful lymphatic cleanser, redroot helps to shrink swollen lymph nodes and reduce an enlarged spleen. Combined with echinacea, it works well for tonsillitis, cysts, and infections in the lymph glands. It is very good for aids patients with a low platelet count, enlarged spleen, or swollen lymph nodes. (Easley/Horne)
‘For people who cannot think their way out of a problem...When the spleen is strong… the imagination flourishes. Life is happy, well-adjusted, vibrant and meaningful’ Matthew Wood
Flower Essence Uses
Harmonizing Qualities
- innocence of heart and intention
- brings up the awareness of unconsciously motivated patterns, helping us be clear about our true motivation
- knowing that I am the creative force, I am clear to express my innate beingness
- seeing beyond old fears into reality
- fosters a discriminate, wise, mature perspective
- perception that escapes cultural conditioning and prejudice
- vulnerable to or motivated by fear
- guilt because you choose not to suffer and others do
- making yourself “small” so that others are not intimidated by you
- unconsciously motivated
- entanglement or enmeshment with others
- feeling controlled by deep dark forces which you don’t understand or perceive clearly and which you may not trust (DesertAlchemy.com)
Cautions & Contraindications
Redroot is a safe and well tolerated herb that can be used over a long period of time.
Caution should be used when used alongside anti-coagulants.
Due to limited research, caution should be taken during pregnancy.
Caution should be used when used alongside anti-coagulants.
Due to limited research, caution should be taken during pregnancy.
Resources & Recommended
