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The name Guelder Rose comes from
a Dutch province "Gelderland", where this shrub was
first cultivated. Both Guelder Rose and the Wayfaring Tree (V.lantana)
Caution: The berries
should never be eaten raw. Like the leaves they contain (mildly)
poisonous principles, which can make us feel sickly.
However, cooking destroys these principles and the berries have
been used in jellies, preserves, etc. They make a very good
cranberry substitute.
 Cultivation:
Propagation is done easily by seed or winter cuttings.
Layering of lower branches also works well. The Guelder Rose has
been widely cultivated as an ornamental shrub, due to its profuse
clusters of lovely white flowers in June/July, which later give
rise to bright red berries. It also has attractive dark red autumn
foliage.
Medicinal Uses:
The dried bark from pruned branches has been used medicinally.
Its actions are anti-spasmodic, sedative and astringent.
Crampbark is a very useful neuromuscular relaxant which relieves
both voluntary and involuntary muscle tensions. The herb has been
used for the following conditions:
Cramps, Muscle spasms.
Ovarian and Uterine pains, including painful periods with heavy
discharge.
To relax the Uterus, including preventing miscarriages.
Colicky conditions of the gut, galbladder and urinairy system,
nervous bowel problems, etc.
Some cases of migraine and other conditions of vaso-spasm.
High blood pressure.
In the past it has also been used for convulsive states, fits and
lockjaw.
Note from webmother to
page visitors:
Many of these pages are still bare bones. Whenever time allows, we
will continue to add information to the Tree Gallery until all the
trees have descriptions of their habitat, characteristics,
cultivation, uses and anything else of interest. Email us if you
are keen to know more about a particular tree and we will do our
best to complete that one next.
Traditional knowledge:
The-Tree offers a page where
you can read the entry for Guelder
Rose from "A Modern Herbal" (Mrs. M. Grieve, ed. Mrs.
C.F.Leyel) published in 1931. Obviously things have moved on
since then, yet this book is still often unsurpassed in its scope
and depth of traditional knowledge. The page pops up in a new
window. Close it to return to the Tree Gallery. |
