Virginia Creeper

Parts Usually Used

Root, leaves, bark and twigs

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Climbing or creeping vine with adhesive disks on much-branched tendrils. Ascending to 50 to 100 ft. mostly by means of its radiating tendrils supporting itself firmly on trees, stone walls, churches, etc. This is a woody vine of the grape family, with smooth leaves and many leaflets. Leaves divided into 5 leaflets; elliptical to oval, sharply toothed. Small greenish or white flowers in terminal groups; June.

Bark and twigs are collected after the small dark berries have ripened. Has a persistent acrid taste; not unpleasant.

Where Found

Thickets, weedy. Maine to Florida; Texas to Kansas, Minnesota.

Medicinal Properties

Astringent, diuretic, tonic

Uses

Native Americans traditionally prepared a tea from this plant for jaundice, while a decoction of the root was used for dropsy, bronchitis, and diarrhea. Historical accounts also noted the topical use of a leaf tea as a wash for swellings and poison-sumac rash, or combined with vinegar for wounds. In these traditions, the plant was regarded as having astringent and diuretic properties.

Bibliography

Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants , by Steven Foster and James A. , Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000 Indian Herbalogy of North America , by Alma R. , 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023