The root bark contains saponins, a lignan glycoside (phyllirin), and several secoiridoids (oleuropein, ligustroside and angustifolioside).
A Tonic for the Liver and Gallbladder
Fringe tree is regarded as an excellent stimulating tonic and in modern-day herbal medicine, it is mainly used to treat ailments related to the liver and gallbladder.
Internally, the bark is mostly used as an herbal remedy for gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis), but it is also thought to be of value as a treatment and relief for gallstones, jaundice, cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, pancreatitis, enlarged spleen, poor liver function and migraines or headaches due to gallbladder diseases.
In addition, the fringe tree root bark is believed to stimulate the secretion of bile from the gallbladder, strengthen appetite and stomach secretion, and act as a mild but effective laxative.
The root bark is also used to treat periodic fever syndromes and to improve general health after chronic or debilitating diseases, such as mononucleosis (mono) also known as kissing disease.
There has been some speculation the herb might have a blood glucose lowering effect.
As of yet, the medicinal applications of fringe tree root bark is based on traditional uses and its alleged properties have not been confirmed by scientific studies.
External Uses of Fringe Tree
Externally, the crushed bark can be used as a poultice to treat dermatitis, boils, minor wounds, scrapes and cuts, and a root extract can be applied directly on inflamed and infected wounds.
In the past, the fringe tree was traditionally used by the Choctaw Nation that originally occupied what is now the Southeastern United States, as an herbal topical astringent for wound treatment.
They would boil the bark and use the extract, in addition to wound care, to treat ailments such as conjunctivitis, mouth ulcers, toothache, gum disease, and malaria.
Some of the herb’s medicinal uses were later adopted by the European settlers.
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