While camping in Virginia’s Kiptopeke State Park on the Eastern Shore, we came across this gorgeous plant, abundant and fruiting in spectacular hues of fuschia! American Beautyberry is edible. To me, the berries taste piney, and reminded me of drinking gin.
Plant Benefits
Beautyberries are underused as food and medicine in our modern-day Western culture. If you see it for sale, it’s probably in the form of a jelly, which means lots of added sugar!
American Beautyberry is Callicarpa americana, which is native to the Southeastern US. There are 140 varieties of the species, including Asian Beautyberry which is similar and can also be found in the States.
The berries ripen in fall and are a great food source for birds when it gets chillier and most of the summer fruits have disappeared. They are also enjoyed by native moth species as well as tiny spiders (they came with the berries as I plucked them!) and deer like to nom on the leaves.
The plant has been used in many trials as an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antioxidant, and in cancer and memory research. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses the beautyberry for treatment of inflammation, bleeding in the lungs and stomach, detoxification and for rheumatism. Native Americans use the plant in sweat lodges to treat fevers and malaria.* With the scientific study and application is in its infancy and without any direct experience of healing with the plant, I have to once again turn to my body’s reaction when consuming it. My body loved it and wanted to snack on the berries while we hiked the seaside trails in the park.
*Source: http://www.batladyherbals.com/2018/07/beautyberry.html
I added beautyberries to my breakfast (rice cake with cashew butter!).
Grow Beautyberries!
Beautyberries are often available to buy in nurseries as an ornamental plant. If you are interested in having more edible magic growing in your yard (and you’re in its native region), I recommend you plant American Beautyberry–check out your local nursery, or try planting from cuttings or seeds.
Recipes, Mosquito Deterrent & More!
In researching applications for beautyberries, I came across the wonderful Tyrant Farms, which is for us Ashevillians a local urban “yarden” in Greenville, SC. I highly recommend checking out their post on beautyberries as they can be made into juice, tea, or jello. If you have chickens in your yarden, they’ll love the snack!
Beautyberries can be used as a mosquito repellant. You might try crushing the leaves and rubbing it over your skin, clothes and hair or hiking with some stuffed in your pockets or pack. Outmoreusa.com has more info on beautyberries and 4 recipes for making your own mosquito repellent with the leaves.
And while we’re on the topic, Tyrant farms has a great suggestion to safely kill mosquitoes, with BT dunk buckets! (using bacteria to kill the larvae without harming other insects or wildlife in your yard.)
In Relationship with Mama Earth
Look out for American beautyberry while hiking in the Southeastern US in late summer or autumn, walking in urban settings when bright purple berries catch your eye, or grow it in your yard to bring happiness to birds, insects and yourself! Try eating the berries, use the leaves to deter mozzies, and cultivate a relationship with the plant. It is you!
A picture of my mama with her beautyberry-colored hair!
What is your experience with American Beautyberry? How does its Essence give to your life? How do you give back to the plant? Please share in the comments or in our EarthHeart Healing Community!
Curious if American Beautyberry is optimal for your body? Check out My Healing Body and learn what foods your body prefers to regenerate you from the inside out!
