Seattle Tours

Went back to Fall City to get some cottonwood and alder bark along the Snoqualmie and Raging rivers.

Alder was commonly used for medicine by the Indians up and down the west coast, in similar ways. Peoples from Europe also realized the usefulness of the species found there. More recently, 'scientific' studies have confirmed its curative characteristics. Still, it is not much part of the modern herbal materia medica.

Gunther, in her 1940 ethnobotany reported that many tribes boiled the bark for colds and stomach problems. Cones were eaten to treat dysentry and catkins were chewed for diarrhea. An ointment of the bark was used for eruptive skin diseases. The rotten wood was rubbed on the bodies of those suffering from rheumatic pains.

Recent lab studies have shown that the bark extract is an effective antibacterial against Staphylococcus, E. coli and other bad guys. Diarylheptanoid and its glycoside (oregonin) were identified as the active ingredients. In another study, 100 plant extracts were tested for antifungal activity; the extract from Alnus rubra catkins were among the very strongest antifungals. Last but certainly not least, the anticancer effects of lupeol and betulin (two other compounds found in alder bark extract) have been confirmed in several studies.

I collected leaves and bark. I also chewed on some catkins while i was there, and ill be damned if my poop wasn't firmer than before. I took some leaves to dry for tea -- it can serve as a nice astringent, tonifying tea (actually I am more interested in the taste and color.) From the bark i made a vinegar for an antirheumatic bath -- it's beautiful apricot orange. i also made a decoction of the bark and refrigerated it for later.

On the left you see a small group of young alders on the bank of the Raging River -- Id guess these trees are 10-15 years old or so. They grow quick and die young. On the right you see the confluence of the Raging and the Snoqualmie -- this scene is dominated by cottonwoods. I wanted to collect alder here (where i collected cottonwood buds and bark), but there were none. i had to go half a mile or so up the Raging to find an alder stand. Note that these locations are verging on being too urban -- though I took the decision at the scene that it was probably still an OK harvesting place.