Northern spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is not listed in Haliburton Flora because it’s only near native here. Its northernmost range is southern Ontario. While spicebush can grow slightly north of Toronto, it’s likely if you see bright yellow flowers on a bush along the highway here you’ve spotted an escapee nonnative forsythia shrub. The resemblance lending to the nickname “forsythia of the wilds”, spicebush’s yellow flowers are more compact whereas forsythia has longer droopy petals. Witch hazel flowers are somewhat similar looking as well. Eastern leatherwood and all the above flower early in the spring and have noticeable yellow flowers.
If you crush the leaves or stems of spicebush the scent is strong and spicy.
Edible Uses of Northern Spicebush
Northern spicebush is a year round tea plant. Spring blossoms can be added to tea for a touch of sweetness. Or you can make iced tea out of the fresh young leaves, but you will need to sun brew them instead of steeping them in boiling water. And any time of year you can steep the twigs in boiling water.
It’s also great for flavouring. The young leaves can be used raw but sparingly for flavouring. The ripe fruit can be gathered summer through fall and used fresh or dried for seasoning. It can be more palatable if you separate the pulp from the seed and just use the pulp. But you can also grind them altogether. Use like allspice! The oils can make it go rancid, so store your spice in freezer or fridge.
For hikers, chewing the bark relieves thirst and you can graze on the young leaves too.
Medicinal Uses of Northern Spicebush
Northern spicebush is primarily said to support these body systems:
- Circulatory
- Digestive
- Integumentary
- Respiratory
Medicinal tags include Anthelmintic, Astringent, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Febrifuge and Stimulant. See Medicinal tag key for more information.
Common usage is the bark used fresh or dried for coughs and cold symptoms. Another common use is a twig tea for parasitic worms. For external ointments the leaves and berries are used.
Like its relation cinnamon, it’s a warming spice that is a tonic for better circulation. A folk remedy called the Three S Formula includes spicebush combined with sassafras and sweet AKA spice birch (Betula lenta).
Alternative Uses of Spiceberry
The camphor in the leaves helps repel insects and is a disinfectant.
Growing Lindera Benzoin
If you have a moist, sunny spot and can fit multiple plants (you’ll want males and females), it’s a pretty shrub to have with early yellow flowers and showy yellow leaves in the Autumn. It’ll grow in partial shade too, but that comes with the common complication of less fruiting in shade.
The aerial parts will all be nibbled on by many animals, including at least twenty bird species. Small bees and flies are its main pollinators. And various butterfly and moth caterpillars feed on the leaves. It has a namesake spicebush swallowtail (Papilio troilus) more likely to be seen in southern Ontario. It’s also a favourite of the promethea silkmoth (Callosamia promethea), which has a wider residence in Ontario. Our very common eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) is another butterfly who may host their cats on it!
It’s recommended to grow from seed, but I may try transplanting some spicebush from ONPlants this year!
WARNINGS
And the Usual Cautions:
1) Most medicinal herbs, if edible, are meant to be eaten in moderation, even sparingly. Some require extra preparation. Tannins are toxic if consumed in excess. Before taking any new supplements, you should consult with a healthcare professional.
2) A vast amount of these herbs are diuretic. (See the Medicinal tags above to check if this featured herb is one of them!) Diuretics are generally safe, but they can be risky for people with other medical conditions or who take certain medications. Please consult your doctor if you have any health conditions.
3) People can be allergic or sensitive to nearly any plant; try new herbs one at a time at your own risk. For instance, saponins commonly cause stomach upset.
4) For serious medicinal use, I must recommend receiving a diagnosis and working with a reputed health care provider. I generally do not post specific treatments and dosages because I think that is best between you and your health care provider, and ideally monitored.
5) Anyone pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs should talk to a health care professional before adding new food items to their diet.
6) Many plants have look-a-likes, and sometimes they are poisonous.
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RESOURCES
My new favourite foraging book is Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: of Eastern and Central North America (The Sam Thayer’s Field Guides) Paperback – June 1, 2023 and this plant IS featured as one of the edible wild plants in this area. I highly recommend this guide for your bookshelves!
https://illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/spicebush.htm
https://data.canadensys.net/vascan/taxon/6486
Edible and Medicinal Plants of Canada
Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants (Out of Print)
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