Medicinal Plants : Fraxinus excelsior

Name

Bird's Tongue

Biological Name

Fraxinus excelsior

Other Names

European ash, bird's tongue

Parts Used

bark, leaves

Remedies For

Bark: diuretic, febrifuge.

Leaves: cathartic

The bark is primarily used to reduce fever, but it is also some- times used to expel intestinal worms. The leaf tea is popular in Europe as a mild purgative and is often used for rheumatism

Description

Bird's tongue is a European tree, 100 to 130 feet high, commonly planted in parks and along streets and found wild in woods and along river- and stream-banks. The leaves are opposite and odd pinnate, consisting of seven ovate, acute leaflets. The small flowers appear before or with the leaves in spring. The fruit is one-seeded.

Dosage

Use the bark of young branches and twigs

Infusion: Use 1 to 2 tsp. leaves to 1/2 cup hot water. Steep 2 to 3 minutes, then strain. Take 1 to 11/2 cups a day, unsweetened, a mouthful at a time.

Decoction: Use 1 tsp. bark to 1/2 cup water. Boil briefly, steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Take 1/2 to 1 cup a day, unsweetened, a mouthful at a time. (improve the taste by adding some peppermint or sweet marjoram, if desired.)

Safety

Not known.