Edible Parts: Fruit  Seed
Edible Uses: Tea

Fruit - raw or cooked[183]. A cherry-like flavour[1], it can also be dried and is then quite nice raw[85]. The fruit can also be made into syrup, jams, jellies etc[183]. Various native North American Indian tribes ground the fruit, seeds and all, into a paste and dried them into cakes which were later soaked in water, mixed with flour and sugar and used as a sauce[183]. The fruit contains a single large seed. Seed - raw or cooked[257]. Ground into a powder and used as a gruel or mixed with cereal flours for making bread etc[257]. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity. The bark and twigs are a tea substitute[161, 183].

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Astringent  Laxative  Ophthalmic  Pectoral  Poultice  Sedative  Tonic

The bark is astringent, pectoral, sedative and tonic[46, 61, 257]. A decoction of the bark has been used in the treatment of indigestion, upset stomachs, diarrhoea, coughs and colds and lung complaints[257]. A decoction of the bark has been used for bathing wounds[257]. The dried, pulverized bark has been used as a dusting powder to dry sores[257]. The steam from the boiling bark has been allowed to rise into the eyes as a treatment for snow blindness[257]. A decoction of the wood scrapings has been used by children and adults as a treatment for bowel complaints[257]. A poultice of the leaves has been applied to oral abscesses, cuts, sores, bruises and black eyes[257]. The ripe fruit is laxative[257[. Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being[238].

Adhesive  Dye  Soil stabilization

The plant forms thickets by means of suckers from its extensive root system and can be planted for erosion control[149]. A green dye can be obtained from the leaves[168]. A green dye is obtained from the inner bark in spring[155]. A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit[168]. A purplish-red dye is obtained from the fruit[155]. A gum obtained from the trunk has been used as an adhesive[257]. Wood - close grained, moderately strong, hard, heavy, does not burn easily. Used for skewers etc[99, 149].

Special Uses