Re: Mixed up some tooth powder, on ALDERS

[Guest guest]

>... i am not knowing what alder bark is tho... could one use tea

tree oil in a toothpaste?

>

Alder bark, alders are a common shrub that grows in swampy

areas here in the northeast. I've seen it in WA state too so I

suspect it's common in most woodlands here in north america. It's a

neat tree, it fixes nitrogen in and around it's roots so it helps

restore soil fertility for later successive plantings. Most in the

area have no idea it has any use and regard it as somewhat of a

trash tree. Wildlife people like it though. The catkins provide a

winter food source for a variety of birds. In northern CA the

natives considered it a " cure-all " as a powerful astringent with

some willowlike properties. However, that's CA native's experience

not my own. Thus far I've only made tooth powder with it. Dr.

talks of the bark being a less powerful substitute for

cascara sagrada which does not grow in my area. The fresh bark is

emetic (which has it's uses) so for most uses people age it for a

year first. Mine is still too fresh for those applications.