Commonly used as an ornamental decoration, the American Holly is also a great an option for attracting birds. The dark green leaves are alternate, elliptical, and spiny. Common Names | Parts Usually Used | Plant(s) & Culture | Where Found | Medicinal Properties They claimed this to be the true reason the herb was magically protective when brought into the home, shielding mortals from evil spirits that wandered over the land during bleak winter months. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000, The Herbalist Almanac, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1988, fifth printing, 1994, Webster’s New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, New World Dictionaries: A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023. Often the most effective treatment involves a responsible blend of both modern and traditional treatments. I. opaca fruit tea was used as a cardiac … American holly is ideal for use as a street or courtyard tree (with lower branches removed), framing tree, specimen, barrier planting or scree… Leaf tea for measles, colds, flu, pneumonia; drops for sore eyes. Herb: American Holly Latin name: Ilex opaca Synonyms: Ilex quercifolia Family: Aquifoliaceae (Holly Family) Medicinal use of American Holly: The berries are laxative, emetic and diuretic. The leaves have also been used externally in the treatment of sore eyes, sore and itchy skin. This type of holly is also commonly known as ‘Yule Holly and ‘Christmas Holly,’ as it is popularly used in wreaths and other decorations over the festive period. The major areas of distribution are Central and South America. Click on a place name to get a complete protected plant list for that location. Flowering time from May to June. A tea made from the leaves has been used as a treatment for measles, colds etc. It is also used … In many Western Christian cultures, holly is a traditional Christmas decoration, used especially in wreaths and illustrations, for instance on Christmas cards. Yaupon, Appalachian tea, cassena, deer berry, Indian holly, and Indian black drink also are commonly discussed with the hollies. American holly Legal Status. The American holly makes an excellent privacy screen and security fence and can easily be pruned to hedge form. Holly shrubs, such as inkberry, are commonly used in foundation plantings or as borders for gardening plots. The spines of some leaves may tear or puncture skin or mucus membranes. Leaves (5-10 cm or 2-4 in) have many spine-tipped teeth, dull green above and yellow-green beneath. The Chinese know a holly (Ilex pedunculosa) that they call Tung-ch’ing. Holly branches and leaves were tied together into a large bundle then attached to the middle of a long rope. Sorry, you have Javascript Disabled! This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. The wood has also been stained black and substituted for ebony in inlay work. Berries are poisonous, will induce violent vomiting. It is also thought to be helpful as a blood purifying tonic for chronic rheumatic ailments and disorders. Chewing only 10-12 berries acts as a strong laxative, emetic, and diuretic. Prior to their arrival, American Holly leaves had been used by Native Americans to make tea to treat cough, and berries had been used to make buttons. Roots are shallow and finely branched, and rarely invasive due to their great number and relatively small diameter. Culpeper’s Complete Herbal & English Physician: Updated With 117 Modern Herbs, by Nicholas Culpeper, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1990, (reprint of 1814), Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. It also does well in city conditions as long as it is not exposed to strong winds. [36] Chinese Medicinal Herbs, compiled by Shih-Chen Li, Georgetown Press, San Francisco, California, 1973. The early settlers in the southeastern United States made yaupon tea from I. vomitoria, reserving a stronger decoction for use as an emetic. Leaves, smooth, leathery leaves and South American species are largely ornamental and derived natural! Ways of treating illnesses are no clinical studies of holly is pe…:... Ceremonially to `` cleanse '' themselves, probably due to its sweat- vomit-inducing! 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