Do you what the American beautyberry is? American beautyberries are a type of fruit and plant that most people don’t know about. It’s a beautiful plant with fuchsia colored berries that have a lot of benefits and can be used to help protect yourself from the pesky bugs in your yard! So, let’s take a look at American beautyberries, their benefits, side effects, and how you can use American beautyberries both in and out of the kitchen.
American Beautyberry
I had seen the American beautyberry online in videos and other people talking about it. But I had never seen it in person until recently. We moved and there are so many bushes in our woods! This excited me! I was able to teach my husband about them and we actually spend some time picking berries and leaves to use. It was not only a great way to spend time together, but to also learn more about these beautiful berries.
So, let’s take a look at American beautyberries.
Related: Let’s learn what the calendula flower is and what it is used for!
What Is The American Beautyberry Bush?
So, the American beautyberry is also known as:
- Sourbush
- Bunchberry
- French Mulberry
- Purple Beautyberry
- Callicarpa americana L.
This bush is actually fast growing and a perennial shrub. In case you don’t know, perennial plants are long lasting and will grow back each year. The American beautyberry bush grows fairly tall at 5-8ft. The leaves are oval shaped and have “saw toothed” sides as well as little hairs on the underside. In spring and summer you’ll often see it’s flowers which are blue, pink, white, or violet. Towards the fall, you’ll start seeing bunches of berries appear. The American beautyberry is found throughout the southeast part of the United States, usually in moist areas around thickets or pine canopies.
Is The American Beautyberry Edible?
Yes, the American beautyberry is edible and safe. However, it’s often suggested to eat in small amounts whether it’s raw or used in wines and jellies.
What Do American Beautyberries Taste Like?
The American beautyberry is rather tart. Some people say it is bitter, sharp, and mealy. Others describe the beautyberries as mildly sweet with hints of spicy notes. It’s rather astringent and medicinal in taste.
What Are The Health Benefits Of American Beautyberry?
1. Antibacterial
Studies found that American beautyberry has been found effective against some antibiotic resistant bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhimurium, and a number of cyanobacteria. It’s the clerodane diterpenoids that help fight these bacteria.
2. Antiviral
Researchers have used the beautyberry bush and tested it against herpes simplex and found that the flavone had an “inhibitory effect” against the herpes virus by interfering with the virus’ ability to bond to the cells.
3. Antifungal
The beautyberry leaf is used in Mexico. They use extractions to help fight fungal infections, many caused by Candid albicans (yeast infections).
4. Astringent
In Chinese medicine, they used the beautyberries astringent properties to help with and/or stop bleeding in the lungs and stomach. The chemical that helps the lung is called carnosol.
5. Antioxidant
The beautyberry has a lot of nutritious value including antioxidants. Because of the high amount
6. Diuretic
It was the Native Americans according to research who used the American beautyberry as a diuretic. A diuretic is a type of medication that produces urine which helps the body get rid of excess fluids, salt, which in turn helps the heart pump easier.
7. Anti-Inflammatory
The beautyberry is great for getting rid of inflammation due to it’s high antioxidants, diuretic properties, and antibacterial properties.
8. Repels Insects
How is repelling insects a health benefit? Because the American beautyberry oil can be extracted to make a bug repellant more potent than deet and it doesn’t have all the harsh chemicals like store-bought sprays have. This is beneficial because it repels mosquitos that transmit not only malaria, but yellow fever too.
9. Gastrointestinal
According to research, Native American tribes used the American beautyberry for stomach ailments like colic, stomachaches, even dysentery.
10. Rheumatism
You can use the roots, leaves, and branches of the American beautyberry to treat rheumatism. They did this by creating a decoction or a concentration of the essence by boiling different parts of the American beautyberry. Native Americans used decoction to help those with rheumatism and malarial fever. The tribes that used beautyberry decoction were the: Seminole, Creek, and Choctaw tribes.
Nutritional Value Of The American Beautyberry
There are a lot of nutritional value of the beautyberry. They are high in vitamins like vitamin c. They’re also full of minerals, carbs, fiber, and antioxidants. The leaves also have nutritional value. They have protein, calcium, and phosphorus in them.
What Are The Side Effects Of The American Beautyberry?
Like most things there are side effects to the American beautyberry. Some of these side effects are:
1. Stomach Discomfort
Eating an excess of the American beautyberry can cause nausea or even diarrhea. That includes in jelly form too. Animals such as dogs and cats can also have upset stomachs from the American beautyberry.
2. Allergic Reactions
Some people can have an allergy to the beautyberry. Be on a look out for hives, itchiness, swelling. If you have any of these symptoms seek medical attention immediately.
Is The American Beautyberry Invasive?
Technically no. It is native to the USA, however, because animals such as birds enjoy the berries, they can spread fairly quickly and spread. To keep the shrubs under control cut them back during the late winter or the early spring.
Where Does The American Beautyberry Typically Grow?
You can find the American beautyberry in the southeastern United States from Texas all the way to Maryland including places like Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia. You can also find them in other places like Mexico, Bahamas, Cuba, and even Bermuda.
A Useful Plant and Herb
This plant is insanely useful as a medicine and as a bug repellant. It’s versatile and can even be used as a food source in a limited amount. And the best part is, many of us have this growing in our own backyards!
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Do you like the American beautyberry? Have you used them before in any purpose?
