Shoreline Area News: Appropriate to the season: Snowberry bush

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Photo by Jo Simmons

The snowberry is living up to its name and producing berries in the snow.

Anonymous, December 19, 2022 at 8:12 AM: Ethnobotanical Uses

Snowberry fruits contain saponin, a naturally soapy substance with antioxidant and antimicrobial effects on the skin. Fresh berries can be crushed and rubbed on skin to cleanse and soothe; they also heal rashes and burns. Native Americans used the berries to clean their hair. Roots were soaked to make tea to treat stomach disorders, and tea made from twigs treated fevers. The spindly branches can be tied together to make brooms. The berries are not edible for humans as they are distasteful. They are considered toxic if eaten in large quantity.

https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/common-snowberry.htm