The Medicinal Herb Info site was created to help educate visitors about the often forgotten wisdom of the old ways of treating illnesses. Many of today's drugs and medicines were originally derived from natural ingredients, combinations of plants and other items found in nature.

We are not suggesting that you ignore the help of trained medical professionals, simply that you have additional options available for treating illnesses. Often the most effective treatment involves a responsible blend of both modern and traditional treatments.

We wish you peace and health!

Great Rhododendron

Scientific Names

Rhododendron

  • Rhododendron maximum L.
  • Heath family

Common Names

  • Rhododendron

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Parts Usually Used

Leaves

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Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Thicket-forming evergreen shrub or small tree; 10-14 feet high. Leaves are large, leathery, without teeth; edges rolled under. Rose-pink (white) spotted flowers in very showy clusters; June to July. Easily confused with mountain laurel.
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Where Found

Damp woods. Southern Maine to Georgia; Alabama to Ohio.
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Uses

Native Americans poulticed leaves to relieve arthritis pain, headaches; taken internally in controlled dosage for heart ailments.
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Warning

Leaves are toxic. Ingestion may cause convulsions and coma. Avoid use or use only with medical supervision.
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Bibliography

Buy It! Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000

Buy It! Chinese Medicinal Herbs, compiled by Shih-Chen Li, Georgetown Press, San Francisco, California, 1973.

Buy It! 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

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