Herbs, Plants, Trees and Roots | July, 2011

You entered Redtwig-Creeper, the more common name is...

Infusion taken for yellow jaundice, a compound decoction of twigs used as a wash to counteract poison sumac, a leaf tea is taken for difficulty urinating, a hot decoction of stems and leaves applied to reduce swellings, a poultice of crushed leaves and vinegar applied to wounds and lockjaw and a decoction of root taken for diarrhea.

Virginia Creeper

SCIENTIFIC NAME:
(Parthenocissus quinquefolia)


Native to eastern and central North America, southeastern Canada and eastern Mexico, this woody vines leaves have five leaflets joined from a central point that are serrated and turn deep red in the fall. Its small forked tendrils have strong sticky pads on their tips giving it the ability to climb smooth surfaces. In the late spring clusters of small greenish flowers appear and by late summer or early fall they mature into small hard purplish-black berries.



Common Names:

Five Leaf Ivy, American ivy, False Grape, Five Finger Ivy, Five Finger Creeper, Five Leaves, Hiedra, Parra, Redtwig-Creeper, Wild Woodbine, Woodbine


Virginia Creeper

Uses:

Infusion taken for yellow jaundice, a compound decoction of twigs used as a wash to counteract poison sumac, a leaf tea is taken for difficulty urinating, a hot decoction of stems and leaves applied to reduce swellings, a poultice of crushed leaves and vinegar applied to wounds and lockjaw and a decoction of root taken for diarrhea.



Applications:

Tea:
Leaf tea: Drink 1/8 cup of hot tea per day. (Check with physician first.)

Poultice:
Apply to afflicted area.

Decoction:
Made with twigs, this decoction is applied to afflicted areas. A hot decoction of stems and leaves is applied to reduce swelling.


Warnings:

The berries are toxic. This plant should ONLY be used under a doctor’s supervision as it is considered a poisonous plant.

With any herb, there is the risk of an allergic reaction. Small children and pregnant women should use additional caution when considering the use of herbal remedies.