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Fox Grape | | Name : | Fox Grape | | Synonyms : | Darkgrape
Foxgrape
| | Parts Used : | Fruits and leaves | | Habitat : | Found in thickets, woods; southern Maine to Georgia; Tennessee toMichigan. Widely cultivated. | | Description : | Everyone is familiar with the grape vine. The following informationpertains to the dark grape species.
Grapevines supported on old-fashioned arbors and grown with specialpruning methods produce more fruit than those grown on conventionalwire training trellises. The top-area is exposed to more sunlightand the pruning secret is to take out some of the hard stems, andto pick off from a third to a half of the small bunches of grapesbefore they use up too much of the available plant food. Experts havefound that more foliage means bigger, better-flavored grapes.
Another variety: the fox grape (Vitis labrusca) is a high-climbingliana vine. Leaves rounded in outline, heart-shaped at base; 3-lobed,toothed, with dense whitish to reddish felt beneath. Fruits about20 purple-black (or amber white) grapes in a cluster around Septemberto October. | | Constituents : | Vitamins A, B, C, dextrose, fructose, pectin, tartaric and malicacids, mineral salts, tannin, flavone, glycosides and pigment, magnesium,potassium, iron, niacin, riboflavin, carbohydrates
Nutritive, diuretic | | Uses : | Treats blood and energy deficiency, night sweats, thirst, palpitations,rheumatic pains, difficulturination, edema, dry cough.
Wild or cultivated whole grape leaves were put in the bottom of crocksto preserve the color of beans that were stored. Grape leaves alsoused to wrap fresh-made butter. Said to help preserve butter. Cultivatedgrape leaves considered best.
Vitis labrusca (fox grape) was used by the Native Americans as leaftea for diarrhea, hepatitis,stomachaches, thrush. Externally,they poulticed wilted leaves for sore breasts, rheumatism, headaches,fevers. Other Vitis species havebeen used similarly. Vines, when cut in the summer, yield potablewater, possibly purer than today's acid-rain water. | | Dosage : | Drink the fresh juice of the fruit.
According to one reference if grape juice is taken four times eachday; 1 oz. in plain water and 3 oz. grape juice, taken 1/2 hour beforeeach meal and upon retiring, then the matter of dieting will takecare of itself. The only restrictions as far as diet is concerned,should be sweets, chocolate; great quantities of sugars, pastries.But all other foods, vegetables, and meats, provided they are notfats, may be taken according to the appetite; but the appetite willchange a great deal. Obesity will regulate itself when this is doneregularly. | | Safety : | Do not confuse the fox grape vine with Canada Moonseed (Menispermumcanadense), which is considered toxic. | | Myths : | In the reference book, 50 Years Anthology; The Herbalist Almanac,written by Clarence Meyer, edited by David C. Meyer, in memory ofJoseph E. Meyer, 'the Herb Doctor', there is a small paragraph thatseems apt here. This quote is reported to have come from the 1585edition of Dodoens' A Nievve Herball or Historie of Plantes.
Quote: 'I will touch onely the particular properties of wine it selfe,both as it is medicinable and nourishing, for taken moderately, andby them that are of a middle age, or well stept in yeares, or areof a cold and dry disposition and (not very young, and so their bloodtoo hot for to abide wine) it encreaseth blood and nourisheth much:it procureth an appetite, and helpeth to digest being taken at meate(meals)--it expelleth feares, cares, and heavinesse, and breedethalacrity, mirth and bodily pleasure--causeth quiet rest and sleepe,both to the sound and sicke that lacke it--on the contrary side, theexcess thereof breedeth a distraction in the sense, the Appoplexie,and Lethargy or drowsie evill, the trembling of the joynts, the palsie,and the dropsie.' | | Nutrient : | Magnesium, potassium, iron, niacin, riboflavin, carbohydrates, vitaminsA, B, C, dextrose, fructose | | Sold : | Supermarket |
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