Buckthorn (Rhamnus spp, R. frangula, R. cathartica)
Folk Names: Alder Buckthorn, Alder Dogwood, Arrowwood, Berry-alder, Bird Cherry, Black Alder Dogwood, Black Alder Tree, Black Dogwood, European Black Alder, European Buckthorn, Glossy Buckthorn, Hartsthorn, Highwaythorn, Persian Berries, Ramsthorn, Spino cervino (Italian - Stag's Thorn), Waythorn; Rhamnus frangula- Black Dogwood, Frangula Bark; Rhamnus cathartica- Common Buckthorn, European Buckthorn, Indian Buckthorn, Purging Buckthorn
Hippophae Rhamnoides- Sea Buckthorn, Sallow Thorn
Description: Rhamnus frangula is a deciduous shrub or tree reaching twenty to twenty-five feet. It is found in swamps and damp places. In America, it grows in the north and north east from Nova Scotia and Quebec to New Jersey, west to Illinois. It is a native Eurasian and north Africa however. The spreading, thornless branches have green bark when young which turns brownish-gray as the tree grows older. Light olive-green obovate leaves are alternate and slightly toothed or toothless and glabrous. They may be anywhere from one to three inches long. From May to July, five petaled, greenish-white flowers grow in axillary clusters with two to six flowers per axil. The fruit is a three-seeded berry-like drupe which turns from green to red to purplish-black with greenish-brown pulp. The fruit is mature by September.
Rhamnus cathartica is also deciduous shrub or tree of comparable size, reaching from twelve to twenty-five feet. It is found in Europe, Asia, and in American from Quebec to Minnesota and south to Virginia and Missouri. The brachlets are tipped with sharp spines. Ovate or elliptic, crenate-serrate leaves grow in opposite pairs on stems and branches. These are dark green and smooth with visible lateral veins. From May to June, small greenish or yellowish flowers appear in two to five flowered axillary clusters. The fruit black, fleshy berry-like drupe with three to four seeds.
Though Hippophae Rhamnoides shares the name Buckthorn, it is no way related to Rhamnus medically or botanically. It is also a thorny shrub, but with narrow, willow-like leaves. It may be found on sand dunes and sea-side cliffs. It produces an orange edible berry.
Effects: gentle
Planet: Saturn
Element: water
Associated Deities:
Traditions:
Some consider Buckthorn a possible source of the Crown of Thorns.
According to legend, sprinkling Buckthorn in a circle and dancing in under a full moon will cause an elf to appear. The dancer must notice the elf and say, “Halt and grant my boon!” before it flees. It will grant one wish.
Magic:
Buckthorn protects against magic, demons, poisons, and headaches. Branches are placed near doors and windows to drive away enchantments and sorceries.
It is considered a lucky wood to carry or wear, especially for help in legal matters.
Hippophae rhamnoides or Sea Buckthorn is recommended as a cure for blindness in horses. It is also said to enhance the relationship and communication between horse and rider.
Known Combinations:
none known
Medical Indications: Caution - Excessive use of the berries of Rhamnus cathartica is poisonous and can cause vomiting. Do not use Rhamnus frangula during pregnancy. The fresh bark or unripe fruit is also poisonous. It should be stored for one year or heated to 212 F to make the bark safe.
Parts used: bark, (Rhamnus cathartica) fruit
Rhamnus frangula is a purgative used to help constipation without constipative backlash. Even the flesh of birds, which have fed on the berries, is said to be purgative. Buckthorn does not become less effective with use. The bark has been used as a laxative since the 1300s. It has also been used for lead colic, obesity, dropsy, and hemorrhoids.
Rhamnus cathartica acts as a diuretic and cathartic. The dried, unripe berries taste awful but have been recommended as a purgative since the 9th century. They are eaten, turned into an infusion, or reduced to syrup. The most usual compound is an infusion to ease gripe and this is mixed with things to make taste better. Culpeper recommended it as a poultice for wounds and warts.
Use of these species of Rhamnus has be discarded somewhat in favor of their relative Rhamnus purshiamus, otherwise referred to as Cascara Sagrada or Sacred Bark.
Nutrition:
The fruit of Sea Buckthorn is edible. In Tartary, it is made into a jelly. It is also used as a base for fish sauce in the Gulf of Bothnia.
Mercantile Uses:
The year-old dry bark of Rhamnus frangula is useful for a bronze-brown dye. The ripe berries form a black or gray dye, and the unripe make green. The stems, roots, and foliage of Sea Buckthorn make a yellow dye.
The wood has been used for shoe lasts, nails, and veneer. Charcoal made from buckthorn is prized by makers of gunpowder.
While goats, sheep, and horses will browse on the foliage of buckthorn, cows refuse it.
The root system of Sea Buckthorn make it an excellent plant for maintaining coastlines and reducing erosion.