The rot tree is native to Europe, the Mediterranean regions including North Africa, and Northwest Asia. The material that can be used medicinally comes mainly from wild collections in Eastern Europe and Russia.
Alder buckthorn in herbal medicine
In herbal medicine, the dried bark of the stems and branches (frangulae cortex) is used. Before use, the fresh bark must first age. This can be achieved by storage for about a year or heat treatment.
Rotten bark and its characteristics
The rot tree is a 3-5 m tall shrub or small tree without thorns with alternate, ovate, broad leaves.
The name of the shrub comes from the brittle branches: frangula derives from the Latin “frangere”, which means “to break”. The German name Faulbaum is based on the unpleasant odor the shrub gives off.
The rot tree bears small inconspicuous flowers that stand in umbels and develop into small fruits. These are green to red when immature, turning black when ripe.
Drug material: characteristics of the bark
Cut drug material consists of flat or inwardly curved pieces of bark, the outside of which is reddish to grayish brown, shiny or dull. When the surface is carefully scratched open a little, reddish tissue becomes visible.
On the inside, the bark pieces are orange-yellow to brown and show a distinct longitudinal furrow.
Rotten bark: odor and taste
Rotten bark gives off a peculiar, unpleasant odor. The taste of the bark is slimy-sweet, slightly bitter, and astringent.
