Bittersweet
Also called: Woody nightshade, Wolfe grape, Violet broom,
Scarlet berry, Nightshade vine, Fever twig, Felonwood, Staff Vine.
Description: Grows commonly in moist and shady
places.
This plant readily climbs up a support.
It has woody stalks with many creeping branches by which it climbs up through
hedges.
It has long pointed leaves.
The flowers are small and grow in clusters, which are purple with rather large
yellow anthers.
Bittersweet has oval scarlet berries.
The greenish-brown shoots are indistinctly angular about %z inch thick, sometimes
warty.
Medicinal Uses: Excellent for all skin troubles; at the same
time it will purify the blood.
It makes the skin and kidneys active, thus eliminating poisons.
Burns and scalds respond well when bathed with this herb.
Part used: Year old greenish-brown shoots.
Directions for use: The fluid extract should be purchased
and 1 teaspoonful taken in a little water at night and in the morning.
The name 'bittersweet' is due to the fact that if chewed the stem at first tastes bitter, then sweet.
Culpeper says, 'It is good to remove Witchcraft both in men and beast, as all sudden diseases whatsoever'.
