WILD FOODIES' HOME PAGE
PLANT PROFILE LIST

       

 

NAME: Spicebush

SPECIES / FAMILY:  Lindera Benzoin / Lauraceae

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): 

CONDITIONS: shade/partial shade, woods
 

PARTS:	EDIBLE	TASTE	RAW/COOK	SEASON
All
Shoots
Leaves		allspice	RAW/DRY/COOK	Spring-Fall
Stalk/Stem
Buds
Flowers, yellow		allspice	RAW/COOK	Spring
Fruits		allspice	DRY/COOK	Fall
Pods
Seeds
Nuts
Roots
Bark	twigs	allspice	RAW/COOK	All

 

PORTION: small, spice

 

COMMENT:  Need both male and female trees to produce fruit.// One of the first bushes that blossoms yellow flowers in late winter.  For a real treat, scratch and sniff the outer bark of a spice bush twig. the aroma hints of exotic spices. The twigs are best gathered when in flower as the nectar adds considerably to the flavor. The leaves can also be used, but are not as flavorful as the twigs.  Both twigs and leaves are great for teas and cold drinks, but the berries (only on the female bushes) are much stronger; dried and ground, they make a great spice and can be used as a substitute for allspice and cinnamon.(1)  According to one author, the berries will "knock your socks off."(8) Spicebush provides not one, but two dried spices: one sharp and peppery in spring (summer in PA), one savory and spicy in the fall. Unusually, both of these can also be used fresh, as the basis for curry or spice pastes, or preserved whole a la capers. (9) It is also home to the Spicebush Swallowtail (cutest caterpillar EVER) - http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/spicebush_swallowtail.htm. The berry can also be combined with coarse salt and used as a rub.

 

CAUTION:

NUTRITION/MEDICINAL:  Aromatic;  Astringent;  Diaphoretic;  Disinfectant;  Febrifuge;  Stimulant;  Tonic. Spice bush has a wide range of uses as a household remedy, especially in the treatment of colds, dysentery and intestinal parasites. It warrants scientific investigation. The bark is aromatic, astringent, diaphoretic, febrifuge, stimulant and tonic. It is pleasant to chew. It is used in the treatment of coughs and colds. The bark can be harvested at any time of the year and is used fresh or dried. The fruits are carminative. The oil from the fruits has been used in the treatment of bruises and rheumatism. A tea made from the twigs was a household remedy for colds, fevers, worms and colic. A steam bath of the twigs is used to cause perspiration in order to ease aches and pains in the body. The young shoots are harvested during the spring and can be used fresh or dried. The bark is diaphoretic and vermifuge. It was once widely used as a treatment for typhoid fevers and other forms of fevers. (1)

 

LOOK-A-LIKES:  

 

POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: 

 

OTHER USES: Disinfectant;  Repellent. The leaves contain small quantities of camphor and can be used as an insect repellent and disinfectant. An oil with a lavender-like fragrance is obtained from the leaves. The fruit, upon distillation, yield a spice-scented oil resembling camphor. An oil smelling of wintergreen is obtained from the twigs and bark.(1) Home to the Spicebush Swallowtail - http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/spicebush_swallowtail.htm

 

SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):

1. http://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Lindera+benzoin
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindera_benzoin
3. https://ouroneacrefarm.com/foraging-spicebush-spicebush-ice-cream-recipe
4. http://the3foragers.blogspot.com/2012/03/spicebush-identified.html
5. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Lindera_benzoin (lots of photos)
6. http://www.eattheplanet.org/spicebush-a-warm-fall-woodland-spice
7. https://sycamorelandtrust.org/2016/11/make-spicebush-tea (recipe)
8. https://www.backyardforager.com/spicebush-berries-lindera-benzoin (a big fan of the berries)
9. https://howtocookaweed.com/2017/08/08/spicebush-a-spice-for-all-seasons (great info)
10. https://www.atlasobscura.com/foods/american-spicebush-berry (foragers can use the fruit in just about any recipe that calls for cinnamon or allspice.)