Celastrus scandens Climbing bittersweet (Celastraceae) Deciduous climber

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Celastrus scandens
Climbing bittersweet
Deciduous climber
(1 Page of 5)

The Celastrus scandens plant species is found in Eastern N. America - Quebec, south to North Carolina and New Mexico.. It is a member of the Celastraceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Climbing bittersweet.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Celastrus scandens
Common Name:  Climbing bittersweet
Family:  Celastraceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  The fruit is poisonous[222]. All parts of the plant are potentially toxic[222].

Mature Height:  8   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Roch soils[235] in thickets, woods and along river banks[43].

Medicinal Information: Climbing bittersweet was employed medicinally by a number of native North American Indian tribes, though it is scarcely used in modern herbalism[257]. The root is diaphoretic, diuretic and emetic[222]. It is a folk remedy for chronic liver and skin ailments, rheumatism, leukorrhoea, dysentery and suppressed menses[222]. A strong compound infusion, usually combined with raspberry leaf tea, has been used to reduce the pain of childbirth[257]. A poultice of the boiled root has been used to treat obstinate sores, skin eruptions etc[257]. Externally, the bark is used as an ointment on burns, scrapes and skin eruptions[222]. Extracts of the bark are thought to be cardioactive[222]. Many plants in this genus contain compounds of interest for their antitumour activity[218].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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