Pacific Madrone Berries and Madrone Bark Tea
A few days ago I got into my car, which I’d parked under the tree next to my house, and noticed a lot of Madrone bark had fallen onto the window. It reminded me that Pacific Madrone is a tree that Native Americans here in the Klamath River Valley used for medicine, years ago.
The berries of the Pacific Madrone mature around November. In centuries past, they were gathered to use as food, though eating many at one time is not recommended. I have tasted them, and find them either bitter or tasteless with a dark red outer peel and a white interior. I imagine that they could have been a great treat for Native Americans, prior to the proliferation of sugary treats we’re now accustomed to. But since our taste buds have been spoiled by ice cream, candy, and cookies, Madrone berries don’t hold quite the same attraction they might have two hundred years ago.
My son used to always gather Madrone berries to string together before the winter holidays - they make attractive country-style garlands on a Christmas tree, or hung above windows.
Madrone bark curls and peels naturally from the trees, so you don’t have to worry about hurting a tree for the bark. It is easy to gather. Native Americans brewed the tea to use topically on wounds and sores. It was also used to settle upset stomachs, but I’ve never used it internally and don’t know how safe that is.
The Pacific Madrone grows all along the USA West Coast from Santa Barbara to Washington. There’s another variety of Madrone that grows in Texas. For you who are amateur herbalists - if you don’t live in one of these locations, and would like a sample of Madrone bark for your collection, feel free to email your address to me. I’m willing to mail out an envelope full of bark so long as I’m living in the Klamath River Valley. I’m surrounded by madrone trees, and the bark here is plenteous.
I’ve been looking for a Madrone seedling to plant but can’t find any. Do you have a seed you could send to me that I could try to start?
Comment by Ann Wright — Friday, November 7, 2008 @ 5:43 pm
Informative post
Thanks
Barbara
Comment by KY's Commonwealth — Thursday, April 23, 2009 @ 9:47 pm
How can I get some bark from the Madrone tree? I would love some. Thank you.
Comment by Lisa — Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 3:08 pm
Lisa, email me your address for Madrone bark: linda at countrykitchenpantry.com
Comment by Linda — Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 11:22 pm
Hi I’m looking for some info about how to prepare or process madrone berries for eating. I’ve come across alot of stuff acorn, both of which are prolific around here.
Thanks for site, Karen
Comment by karen — Saturday, November 14, 2009 @ 9:20 pm
Karen, I don’t know of any recipes for the madrone berries. I’ve eaten them but they’re not especially tasty and I don’t know if there’s a limit on how many are safe to consume in a day.
Comment by Linda — Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 10:17 pm
Hi Linda, it is hard to explain what I do, but people say that I am a medical intuitive. I am training myself to become an herbalist. I cannot not find madrone barks and berries for sale on internet, and around where I live except in the county park where habitat is protected. Would you be willing to send me some madrone barks and berries so that I can find out more about their medicinal properties? Though my name is Jay, I am a mom. smile. Thanks.
Comment by Jay Wang — Monday, December 14, 2009 @ 10:11 am
Jay, we have an abundance of Madrone bark, and the berries are ripening now. A great time for harvesting them! Please send me your address in email: linda at countrykitchenpantry.com …
Comment by Linda — Tuesday, December 15, 2009 @ 8:13 am