Tag Alder

Chronic, low-grade weeping skin eruptions in a constitution the Eclectics called scrofulous or depurative, calling for a mild astringent alterative rather than a strong purgative one

Relaxed, boggy mucous tissue with excessive but thin secretion (loose bowel, leukorrhea, catarrh) needing gentle toning rather than harsh drying

Overview. Tag alder is a shrubby native tree of eastern North America, common in wet thickets, stream banks, and swampy ground, growing eight to fifteen feet tall with reddish catkins in early spring. The bark is the part used medicinally. It held a modest but steady place in nineteenth century American physiomedical and Eclectic practice as a mild astringent and alterative, used both internally for relaxed mucous conditions and externally as a wash for skin complaints.

Clinical Notes. Eclectic and physiomedical practitioners reached for tag alder bark where tissue was described as relaxed and boggy rather than acutely inflamed, using it as a gentle astringent tonic for diarrhea, leukorrhea, and chronic catarrhal discharges.

Action and Therapy. External. The decoction is one of the best of local applications for rhus poisoning. We have observed rapid cures with it. It stains the skin. It is also a useful wash for nursing sore mouth of mothers, and should be given internally at the same time. Internal. A good remedy to promote waste and repair and to improve nutrition. It is astringent and a bitter tonic, of use in gastric indigestion, with relaxed stomach walls and imperfect peptic function. Its alterative properties are best displayed in pustular eczema and recurrent crops of boils. Passive haematuria is sometimes controlled by its astringent action.

Properties and Uses. The bark is the medicinal part, and is readily acted on by water. It is mildly astringent, and slowly stimulating to the cutaneous and renal secretions. It is good as an alterant in the treatment of scrofula, scrofulous and cachectic ulcers. The profession have by no means given to the article the attention it deserves; but have sent abroad for sarsaparilla, when the despised alder at their door is probably quite as valuable, especially when combined with suitable stimulants. A strong decoction of the article is a useful wash in scrofulous and venereal ulcers, and in chronic ophthalmia; and the same has been used as a popular drink in sub-acute diarrhea, and will be found a good injection in leucorrhea..