The Medicinal Uses of New Jersey Tea

Ceanothus spp.                                              Rhamnaceae family

Also known as red root, mountain lilac, snowbush, buckbrush

Several years ago, after I’d been studying herbal medicine for a while, I suffered from “the grass is always greener” syndrome.  I determined that I had to have some seeds for herbs that weren’t growing on my property.  And so I ordered a bunch, most of which I didn’t plant.  Which was ridiculous.  Why spend the money if I wasn’t going to plant them?  Anyway, as I was going through my seed packets in the spring a couple of years ago, I decided it was high time to clean out the old stuff.  I didn’t think they’d germinate, but I didn’t want to throw them away if there was any life in them.  I started elecampane, hyssop, New Jersey tea, mallow, showy milkweed, and one or two more things.  Much to my surprise, most of them came up, including the New Jersey tea. 

So then it was time to research why I wanted this herb.  And every entry in the references that included this herb specified that it was used for enlarged lymph nodes and spleen.  During most of my college years, I was prescribed antibiotics for acne.  Then I graduated, and without insurance I went off them cold turkey.  Several times over the next couple of years I got nasty infections and the lymph nodes in my neck and throat swelled.  The pressure against my eardrums was so great that merely swallowing made me cry. And so I would be prescribed more antibiotics. That’s why I wanted New Jersey tea. 

HARVEST

According to Stephen Buhner, most species of Ceanothus can be used medicinally.[1]  New Jersey tea is best propagated by seed or cuttings.  It is difficult to transplant. [2]

Seek smaller/younger plants, as the roots are easier to prepare and more potent.[3]  Collect the roots in fall or early spring, after a really good frost.[4]  The inner bark of the root should be bright red or reddish-tannin.[5] [6]  If you happen upon a species with a two-parted root—one with outer red bark and an inner woody core, strip the outer red bark and use it; discard the inner woody core.[7]  The root tends to be woody if it is growing in a dry environment. [8]  There should be a pink tinge through the white woody root.  If it doesn’t look pink, it’s not medicinal. [9] 

The root is tough and it and the root bark should not be woody.[10]  Tough-tough.  Cut it into small pieces while still fresh or prepare to cry.[11]  Dry.  Store in plastic bags in a cool place for up to several years.[12] 

TL;DR:  If the root is pinkish to red and flexible, it’s medicinal.[13]

NUTRITIONAL VALUE

The plant is a good source of protein, iron, copper, zinc, and magnesium.  It’s high in calcium.[14]  

EFFECTIVE AGAINST

·       Bacteria

o   Gram positive

§  Staphylococcus aureus

·       Flowers[15]

§  Streptococcus mutans

·       Root[16]

o   Gram negative

§  Porphyromonas gingivalis

·       Root[17]

·       Fungi

o   Candida[18]

PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

·       Alterative[19] 

·       Antiseptic[20] 

·       Antispasmodic[21] 

·       Astringent[22] 

·       Coagulant[23] 

·       Expectorant[24] 

·       Sedative[25] 

PREPARATIONS

New Jersey tea is a common tea substitute.  Steep dry leaves and flowers for 5 minutes to yield a sweet, light-yellow tea.[26] 

·       Capsules, 10-30 “00” capsules per day[27]

·       Decoction

o   1 ounce herb in 2 cups water, simmered gently for 30 minutes. [28]   Strain. 

§  Dosage: 1 tablespoon, 3-4x/day. [29] 

§  Or 4-6 ounces, 2-3x per day. [30] 

§  Or 2-4 ounces, 3x per day.[31]

o   Gargle, 4-6x per day[32]

·       Infusion

o   1 teaspoon powdered root in 1 cup water, simmer 15 minutes, strain.  Drink up to 48 oz per day. [33] 

o   Or, boil 2 tablespoons of root in 1 quart of water for 20 minutes then refrigerate.  Drink 10 ounces 60 minutes before each meal.[34]

·       Tincture

o   Fresh root, 1:2. [35]  The fresh tincture is more potent than the dried.[36]

§  Dried root, 1:5, 50% alcohol, Add 10% glycerin for best results.[37]  Works better in conjunction with other herbs, unless specifically used for lymph issues[38]

§  30-90 drops, 4x/day.[39]  [40] 

§  Or 1-3 ml (1/4-1/2 teaspoon), 3x per day.[41] 

USAGE

• Circulatory

• Weak capillaries[42]
• Tea[43]
• Bleeding[44]

• Dental/oral

• Mouth sores due to fever and infection[45]

• Gastrointestinal

• Dysentery[46]
• Gastritis, especially in heavy drinkers
• Tea[47]
• Hemorrhoids
• Tea[48]

• Hepatic[49] 

• Hepatitis[50]
• Tea[51]

• Immune

• Appendicitis[52] 
• Cysts, non-fibrous[53]
• Tea[54]
• Enlarged lymph nodes[55] [56]  [57]  [58] [59] [60]
• Tea[61]
• Enlarged spleen[62] [63]  [64]  [65] [66] [67] [68] [69]
• Tea[70]
• Mononucleosis[71]

• Musculoskeletal

• Arthritis[72] 

• Neurological

• Anxiety
• Tea[73]

• Respiratory

• Asthma[74]
• Bronchitis, chronic[75]
• Cough
• with mucus[76] [77]
• dry, with mallow or plantain infusion[78]
• Diphtheria[79]
• Influenza[80] 
• Nosebleeds[81]
• Tea[82]
• Sore throat[83]
• Gargle[84]
• Diluted tincture[85]
• Tincture, especially combined with Oregon grape[86]
• Tonsillitis[87]  [88] [89]
• Especially when combined with Echinacea[90] [91]
• Gargle[92]
• Tea[93]
• Whooping cough[94]

• Skin

• Ulcers/sores[95]
• Tea[96]

• Urogenital

• Excessive menstrual bleeding[97]
• Tea
• Tincture10-15 ml[98]

---

[1] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 254. 

[2] Linda Kershaw, Edible & Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 80-81. 

[3] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 253-55.

[4] Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, 2003, 221-22.

[5] Moore.

[6] Kane.

[7] Kane.

[8] Kane.

[9] Kershaw. 

[10] Kane.

[11] Moore.

[12] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 256.

[13] Kane.

[14] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 258.

[15] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 258.

[16] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 259.

[17] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 258.

[18] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 258.

[19] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 257.

[20] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 257.

[21] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 257.

[22] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 257.

[23] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 257.

[24] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 257.

[25] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 258.

[26] Kershaw. 

[27] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, 2012, 293.

[28] Moore.

[29] Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics.

[30] Kane.

[31] Thomas Easley, et al., The Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 293.

[32] Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics.

[33] Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics.

[34] Moore.

[35] Kane.

[36] Sam Coffman, Herbal Medic, 2014, 292.

[37] Kane.

[38] Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, 367.

[39] Moore.

[40] Moore.

[41] Easley.

[42] Moore.

[43] Kershaw. 

[44] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 258.

[45] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals.

[46] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals.

[47] Kershaw. 

[48] Kershaw. 

[49] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 257.

[50] Moore.

[51] Kershaw. 

[52] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals.

[53] Moore.

[54] Kershaw. 

[55] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 32.

[56] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 257.

[57] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals.

[58] Moore.

[59] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 281.

[60] Easley.

[61] Kershaw. 

[62] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals.

[63] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals.

[64] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals.

[65] Moore.

[66] Foster.

[67] Kane.

[68] Kane.

[69] Easley.

[70] Kershaw. 

[71] Moore.

[72] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 257.

[73] Kershaw. 

[74] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 258.

[75] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals.

[76] Easley.

[77] Briana Wiles, Mountain States Medicinal Plants, 2018, 185. 

[78] Wiles. 

[79] Moore.

[80] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 257.

[81] Moore.

[82] Kershaw. 

[83] Moore.

[84] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, 2012, 293.

[85] Kane.

[86] Wiles. 

[87] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 257.

[88] Moore.

[89] Kane.

[90] Kane.

[91] Easley.

[92] Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, 293.

[93] Kershaw. 

[94] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 258.

[95] Moore.

[96] Kershaw. 

[97] Moore.

[98] Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 258.