American beech

Burning, scanty urination with a sense of heat and irritation in the bladder, where a soothing, cooling drink is wanted

Slow, irritable skin ulcers or swellings that need a relaxant, demulcent poultice rather than a stimulating one

Overview. American beech is a large forest tree of eastern North America, easily known by its smooth ash-gray bark, glossy toothed leaves, and small triangular nuts held in a spiny burr. The leaves, gathered and dried, were the part used medicinally in nineteenth century American physiomedical and domestic practice. Within that tradition the leaf was valued as a gentle, cooling, relaxant remedy for irritated mucous membranes, used both internally as an infusion and externally as a poultice.

Clinical Notes. In the physiomedical literature beech leaf was reached for when tissue was irritated and inflamed rather than truly weak or atonic: a hot, scalding urine with a raw, uncomfortable bladder, or a low-grade dysentery where the gut needed soothing rather than stimulating.

Properties and Uses. The leaves of the beech-tree are possessed of relaxant and demulcent properties, and leave behind a mild tonic impression. They may be used in poultices to painful swellings and irritable and weak ulcers.

Properties and Uses. This article is very slightly alkaline; and is also stimulant and moderately relaxant. It acts upon the stomach, duodenum, and smaller intestines, proving mildly laxative, and leaving behind a tonic impression.