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Tamaracotanical: Larix Americana (MICHX.)Family: N.O. Coniferae Synonyms: American Larch. Black Larch. Hackmatack. Pinus Pendula (Salisb.). Part Used: Bark. Habitat: Eastern North America.
Description: The tree has a straight slender trunk with thin horizontal branches growing to 80 to 100 feet high; leaves short, 1 or 2 inches long, very fine, almost thread-form, soft deciduous, without sheaths in fascicles of from twenty to forty, being developed early in the spring from lateral scaly and globular buds which produce growing shoots on which the leaves are scattered. Cones oblong of a few rounded scales widening upward from 1/2 to 1 inch in length, deep purple colour, scales thin, inflexed on the margin. Bracts elliptical, often hollowed at the sides, abruptly acuminate, with a slender point and, together with the scales, persistent. Medicinal Action and Uses: The bark used as a decoction is laxative, tonic, diuretic and alterative, useful in obstructions of the liver, rheumatism, jaundice and some cutaneous diseases. A decoction of the leaves has been used for piles, haemoptysis, menorrhagia, diarrhoea and dysentery. Dosage: 2 tablespoonsful of the bark decoction. See:
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