Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens

Hydrangea Parts used Uses Habitat and cultivation Constituents How much to take Collection and harvesting Combinations

Hydrangea or seven barks consists of the underground portions (rhizome and roots) of the plant Hydrangea arborescens L. (family Saxifragaceae), an erect shrub growing in the eastern part of the United States from New York to Florida and west to Oklahoma. Hydrangea was originally used by the Cherokee Indians who introduced it to the early settlers as a remedy for kidney stones. During the first few decades of this century, the medication saw some action for this and also as a diuretic in conventional medicine, but it lapsed into disuse until the recent revival of herbal remedies. Advocates of herbal medicine still recommend hydrangea for these conditions.

There is no evidence, aside from empirical observations and anecdotes, that hydrangea has any therapeutic utility at all. But then, there have been no modern scientific studies of the drug's physiological activity and practically no investigations of its chemistry. For example. a crystalline compound first isolated in 1887 and designated hydrangin remains chemically unidentified more than 100 years later.

The hydrangea ordinarily cultivated for its showy flowers is Hydrangea paniculata Siebold, particularly a cultivar of that species designated Grandiflora. Its leaves have been smoked in a fashion analogous to marihuana to produce a kind of euphoria or "high." However, even the books devoted to such intoxicants emphasize that this practice "will either get one very stoned or very sick," as a result of a cyanide-producing compound contained in the leaves.

There is no question that the practice can make the user very sick, but there is some doubt that the poisonous character of the leaves is due to cyanide. Reports dating back to the early l900s did detect cyanide-producing compounds in the leaves of cenain Hydrangea species, but the common ornamental variety was not among them. Hegnauer has concluded that probably only a few members of the genus may have this property and then in significant amounts only during the early stages of vegetative development.

Still, the questionable identity of the toxic principle does not make smoking hydrangea leaves any more advisable or the illness which can result from it any less real. As a drug of use or abuse, the roots or leaves of any Hydrangea species have no merit except for the weak diuretic action of the underground parts of H. arborescens.

PARTS USED

Root, rhizome.

USES

Western herbal medicine considers the diuretic hydrangea as being particularly helpful in the treatment of kidney and bladder stones. Hydrangea is thought both to encourage the expulsion of stones and to help dissolve those that remain. The herb is given for many other conditions that affect the genitourinary system, including cystitis, urethritis, enlarged prostate, and prostatitis.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Native to the eastern US from New York to Florida, hydrangea grows in woodland and on riverbanks. The root is dug up in autumn.

CONSTITUENTS

Hydrangea is thought to contain flavonoids, a cyanogenic glycoside (hydrangein), saponins, and a volatile oil.

HOW MUCH TO TAKE

Decoction: put 2 teaspoonfuls of the root in a cup of water, bring to the boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
Tincture: take 2 - 4 ml of the tincture three times a day.

COLLECTION AND HARVESTING

The roots should be unearthed in the autumn. Clean and slice whilst still fresh as they become very hard on drying.

COMBINATIONS

In kidney stones hydrangea is often combined with parsley piert, bearberry and gravel root. In prostate problems hydrangea combines well with horsetail.