The native hop tree that is, aka Ptelea trifoliata or wafer ash? The bitter fruit was used as a substitute for hops in brewing beer back in the day, but the aromatic bark, roots, and leaves have been used for home remedies too, and that's what gets my attention. Not that I don't like beer mind you, but I'm just sayin...
According to Plants For A Future, "the root-bark is anthelmintic, antibacterial, antiperiodic, stomachic, and tonic. It has been mixed with other medicines in order to give added potency. It has a soothing influence on the mucous membranes and promotes the appetite, being tolerated when other tonics cannot be retained. It is also taken in the treatment of intermittent fevers such as malaria, heartburn, roundworms, pinworms and poor digestion. Externally it is applied to wounds. The roots are harvested in the autumn, the bark peeled off and dried for later use. The roots are a tonic, used in the treatment of asthsmatic breathing, fevers, poor appetite, etc. The leaves are said to be useful in the treatment of wounds and also in the destruction of intestinal worms."
And here I always thought it was just used for making beer during the colonial days? Now that I'm hip 2 da hop, I'll see this one growing next to my clothesline in a whole new light. The flowers smell amazing by the way, and are intoxicating in and of themselves...anybody ever smelled them?
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