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Hemlock Gum Tree | | Name : | Hemlock Gum Tree | | Synonyms : | Canada-pitchtree
Hemlockgum tree
Hemlockpitch tree
Hemlocktree
Easternhemlock
Weepingspruce
Pinetops
Tanner'sbark
Hemlockbark
Hemlockleaves
| | Habitat : | Poison Hemlock is found in waste ground in most of the UnitedStates.
Hemlock spruce: found in mountain ravines and woods and inswampy areas. Hills in rocky woods. Nova Scotia to Maryland; Georgiamountains; Alabama to Kentucky, Indiana, eastern Minnesota. | | Description : | Poison hemlock:
A species of evergreen plant; the volatile oil extracted from dried,unripe fruit of Conium maculatum, poison hemlock or a poison madefrom the hemlock. A European plant with compound umbels of small,white flowers and finely divided leaves. A branched perennial, 2-6feet tall. Stems are hollow, grooved; purple-spotted. Leaves are carrot-like,but in overall outline more like an equilateral triangle, and withmore divisions; leaves ill-scented when bruised. Leafstalks are hairless.Flowers are white, in umbels; May to August. Similar in appearanceto caraway, valerian, Queen Anne's lace, wild carrot, etc. Care shouldbe taken in identifying the hemlock plant;
Water hemlock:
A North American and Asiatic evergreen tree of the pine family, withdrooping branches and short needles; the bark is used in tanning.
Hemlock spruce:
A North American evergreen tree growing 50-100 feet high; the barkis a dull brownish-gray on the outside and red underneath and is madeup of large, rough scales. The leaves are short and needle-like, andboth male and female flowers grow in catkins. The woody seed conesare less than an inch long. Needles are flat; 5/16-9/16 inches long;on short slender stalks. Needles are bright green above, silvery whitishbeneath. Cones drooping, to 1 inch long, with few scales; scales rounded.The oleoresin derived from the bark is dark reddish brown, opaque,and has a characteristic turpentine-like fragrance. This is the kindof bark tanners use in making shoe leather. | | Constituents : | Poison hemlock: whole plant a traditional folk cancer remedy,narcotic, sedative, analgesic, spasmolytic, anti-aphrodisiac.
Hemlock spruce: astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic. | | Uses : | Hemlock spruce: a tea of the inner bark or the young twigsis helpful in kidney and bladderproblems and makes a good enema for diarrhea.Use it also to wash external soresand ulcers and as a gargle ormouthwash for mouth, cankersores, gangrene, and throatproblems. Put powdered bark in the shoes for tender or sweatyfeet or for foot odor.
Hemlock spruce is the common hemlock tree, one of the old home remedies.The leaves can be used, but should not be taken during pregnancy.It can be used in dropsy; it increases the flow of urine. May be usedas a douche for leukorrhea; is good for uterineproblems, and a remedy for colontrouble and diarrhea when used as an enema.
Native Americans used tea made from leafy twig tips in steam bathsfor rheumatism, colds,fevers, diarrhea,coughs, stomach troubles,and scurvy. Bark is very astringent. | | Dosage : | Hemlock spruce:
Infusion: for internal use, steep 1 tsp. inner bark or twigsin 1 cup boiling water.
Decoction: for external use, simmer 1 tsp. bark or twigs in1 cup of water for 10 minutes.
It is better to take smaller doses more often. |
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