Medicinal Monday - Ninebark - Versatile, Useful and Beautiful

Traditionally ninebark was a green shrub with flowers and exfoliating bark. Today, ninebark comes in many new foliage colors and in many species. As a fast-growing shrub, it is a favorite among gardeners. Many find the winter bark of this shrub appealing. Native American communities on the West coast found many uses for Pacific Ninebark.

About Pacific Ninebark

Physocarpus capitatus or Pacific Ninebark is in the rose (Rosaceae) family and native to western North America, from southern Alaska east to Montana and Utah, and south to central California.  There are ten species of this plant all native to North America with the exception of one found in northeastern Asia. It is found in the Coast Ranges and the Sierras. This is a small hardy shrub that grows up to 12 feet high and can reach 18 feet in the wild. Relatively short-lived, this shrub can be found along streams, in wet meadows, in coastal marshes, and at the edges of moist woods.  Its most distinguishing characteristic is its brown shedding bark on its branches. Its three to five-inch lobed toothed leaves are similar in shape to a maple leaf. The flowers are small and white with yellow centers and pink stamens that are tightly packed in a ring-like cluster. The fruit is small, reddish, inflated dry seed capsules or pods that split open on one side to release seeds. The flowers bloom from April to June and the fruit ripens from September through October.

Medicinal Uses

One of the most common uses among indigenous people ninebark was used as a laxative. Specifically, the Bella Coola made a decoction of a three-foot branch and took it with large amounts of water as an emetic. They also made a decoction of the inner bark and used it as a wash to treat gonorrhea. The Green River Group mixed young shoots and peeled bark and used this mixture as an emetic. The Hesquiat made a decoction of the bark and used it as an antidote for poison. They also made a decoction of the bark and used it to treat rheumatic fever. A decoction of the bark was taken in small doses as a laxative. The Kwakiutl used an extract of the root as a purgative and a decoction of the bark for constipation. The Saanich made an infusion of the macerated roots that was taken as a laxative.

As a food source, the raw berries were used for food and the roots were steamed and eaten.

The stems were used to make hunting bows and arrows, as well as other small items such as needles. Children would play with the seed pods and pop them open. The bark was mixed with cedar bark to make a dark brown dye.

Did You Know...

Physo means bladder and carpus means fruit referring to the inflated fruit of this plant. Capitatus means having a head and refers to its ring of dense flowers and fruits.

Mountain Goats, elk, deer, and beer will graze on the foliage. 

Rich in nectar, the flowers are pollinated by native bees and are also visited by butterflies.

Birds eat the seeds well into the winter.