Witnessed by: Western
Fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus), of the Oleaceae family. Small tree or shrub veiled in feathery white spring flowers; native range: riverbanks and moist woods of the southeastern United States. Globally recognized as old man's beard, grancy graybeard, snowflower in English. The part used is root-bark and bark. Bark bitter and faintly aromatic, slightly acrid.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
FRINGE TREE
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- fringe tree
- Scientific name
- Chionanthus virginicus L.
- Family
- Oleaceae
Form
- Part used
- root-bark and bark
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- bitter
Temperature
- Western
- cool
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- liver · digestion
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- hepatic, cholagogue, cholecystokinetic, bitter tonic, mild laxative
Cautions
- Contraindications
- use caution with obstructive gallstones capable of lodging in the bile duct
- Toxicity
- no significant toxicity at customary dose
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