Leaves, mature seeds, inner bark.
It is interesting to note that almost all parts of the ash tree possess therapeutic uses. This was first demonstrated to the early European settlers by the American Indians. In effect, the Connecticut Indians employed the sap of the tree for treating external cancerous developments, while in Maine, the Penobscot tribe held a decoction (actually an extract) prepared from the ash leaves in high esteem owing to its use as an antiseptic for internal cleansing of women following childbirth. Other North American tribes also prepared a specific tea from the bark of ash and drank it to cure sores and a prickly scalp. Another tea prepared from the ash leaves was used in the form of a vermifuge or a medication that helped to force out worms from the body. In effect, the seeds of the ash tree also possess a number of therapeutic properties and were employed by many American tribes in the form of a diuretic, an aphrodisiac, a tonic to enhance appetite and also cure fevers. During the 19th century, physicians in the United States prescribed medicinal preparations from white ash in the form of a styptic with a view to end small bleeding, in the form of an emetic to encourage vomiting and also for various different purposes. The bark of the ash tree possesses tonic as well as astringent properties. Ash bark is seldom used in herbal medicine in contemporary period, but sometimes it is taken to cure fevers. The leaves of this tree also possess astringent properties, in addition to having a purgative as well as a diuretic effects. The ash leaves have often been employed in the form of a gentle substitute for senna. Teas prepared from ash leaves are still used to cure fevers as well as alleviate water retention by the body. The seeds of ash are also used to bring down fever as well as augment the appetite. A tincture prepared from the ash leaves is employed to augment sexual desire or libido in men. However, this tincture should be used in restraint and only once in a day since it has extremely potent effects. It may be noted that the white ash tree is among the most widely used trees for routine purposes and to meet the high demands for this variety of ash, it is cultivated roughly in all places where it can be grown. The timber of white ash is white in color and reasonably solid, tough and straight-grained. This timber is preferred for making baseball bats and handles of different tools, like axe and hammers. In addition, the wood of white ash is also preferred for making furniture as well as flooring. Owing to the high perishable nature of ash wood when it is exposed to ground soil, woodworkers mainly use the timber of this tree for internal purposes. The timber of white ash is also employed for making lobster traps. Lately, this timber has assumed popularity and is preferred for making the solid body of an electric guitar too. Provided it is worked in a proper way, white ash timber also make an excellent material for longbow. Earlier, between the period from the 1970s and the middle of the 1980s, the wood of white ash was also used to make the blades of electric fans, while sometimes cane too was created with plastic during that period. However, in most countries, this wood is no longer used for making blades of electric fans.
Ash is also widespread in Europe and prospers in high grounds as well as plains. The leaves of this tree are collected during the summer, while the bark is gathered during the spring. This tree has a preference for alkaline and damp soils and is found growing by the side of the periphery of woods as well as properly aerated lowlands, where the common ash may occupy plenty of area for ideal growth.
People using therapeutic products prepared from ash ought to be aware of the side effects caused by the herb and take necessary precautions. For instance, owing to the emetic attribute of ash, it causes vomiting and, hence, people ought to exercise caution while taking this herb internally. Ash has very potent actions and, therefore, if you are taking any other medicines, it is advisable that you talk to your doctor prior to using this herb for treating your health conditions. The safety of using ash in infants, pregnant women and nursing mothers as well as people suffering from kidney or liver ailments is yet to be ascertained. Hence, it is advisable that such people should avoid using this herb for treating their problems.
The dried up leaves of ash are employed to prepare herbal teas that possess diuretic as well as fever-reducing (febrifuge) attributes. During the fall, you may utilize the fruits to prepare a mother tincture by using one portion of the crushed fruit and four parts of alcohol. Marinate the mixture for about a month and subsequently filter the liquid. Men may take as many as 10 drops of this mother tincture about 30 minutes prior to engaging in sexual intercourse. However, it can only be used once daily for this purpose. It has been established that ash facilitates reproduction, but one should always use this herb with restraint since the virilizing consequences of ash are extremely potent. Take one teaspoonful of the dried inner bark of ash and add it to one cup (250 ml) of simmering water. This solution is actually a potent febrifuge and diuretic. You may drink a maximum of three cups (750 ml) of this liquid every day for a maximum period of 10 days in succession.
The leaves of ash may be used to prepare a sparkling wine. The ingredients required to prepare this sparkling wine include:
