Words On Wellness: California Lilac and Red Root
By Karin Uphoff
Whether on the trail or in town, a seasonal delight is the eye-catching blue, purple or white flower clusters of Ceanothus spp., locally called ‘California lilac’, ‘blue blossom’ or ‘tick bush’, but known to herbalist as red root. The Pacific Northwest boasts over thirty species of this Buckthorn native, many of them endemic to California. Most common in our wilds is C. Thyrsiflorus, and both local bees and honey bees love these flowers, including the many landscape varietals. The larvae of the California tortoise-shell butterfly feeds on this plant, though the adult butterflies prefer manzanita flowers.
Red root can be a small bush to a medium-sized tree and tends to have reduced, tough, almost parallel veined leaves with a shiny surface. You can pick leaves and twigs to make an infusion for topical use in toning skin (acne) and addressing swellings, or drink as a tea for gently improving overall movement of stuck fluids. It combines well with other fluid-movers like, cleavers, peppermint, calendula or juniper berry. This plant is quick to inhabit disturbed or burned areas, with poor, rocky soils. Its seeds are adapted for surviving fire and its affinity for fire along with its reddish-colored roots suggests it is medicine for aiding blood. Indeed the red rootbark and twigs are used in decoctions or tinctures to improve blood exchange between capillaries, intracellular spaces and lymph fluid. This can help chronically swollen and congested lymph nodes after a prolonged illness, lymphedema, swollen spleen or impaired blood to fluid exchange in the heart or kidneys. Red root can ameliorate “sticky” blood with stagnant fluids, thus helpful in formulas for cysts, fibroids and congestion of the heart, however it’s contraindicated for those who are on anticoagulant medication unless otherwise specified by a medical professional. Homeopathic Ceanothus Americanus is choice for swollen, painful spleen and chronic bronchitis.
This beautiful plant and its medicine is a good pick for drought-tolerant gardens, with no need for fertilizer. In fact, it cultivates a symbiotic relationship with soil microbes and fungi that allows their root nodules to fix nitrogen - adding fertilizer can kill good micro-organisms and make room for bad ones. The flowers of some varieties also contain saponins, so that if your rub them in your hands with water, weak suds will form (and we’re all needing to wash our hands these days…).
Karin C. Uphoff, is a Master Herbalist, Iridologist, Bodyworker and author of
Botanical Body Care: Herbs and Natural Healing for Your Whole Body.
Learn more at: www.karinuphoff.com. Image: California lilac 'Blue Sapphire' courtesy ProjectNoah.org'
