Parts Most Frequently Used: Leaf, Bark, Fruit, Bark Juice (Sap)

Flavors/Temps: Bitter, Cold, Astringent

Caution: Considered safe.

History/Folklore: Ash bark is astringent and both the leaves and bark are used medicinally. The bark of the roots is also collected and is considered the most astringent. Ash bark is used as a bitter tonic, astringent, and antiperiodic.

The leaves are gathered in June, well dried, powdered and kept in well sealed jars. The fruits, called the Keys, will keep for a year if gathered when ripe.

Dioscorides said, “The leaves of the tree are so great they can be used against serpents….” Many old superstitions are connected to ash trees. They have been said to cure warts and other ailments brought on by witches and evil spirits. An ancient Greek creation story says humans were formed from Ash and Oak trees.

In China the bark is typically stripped from the tree in spring and autumn. As a medicine it is used dried and raw. A wax deposited by an insect on the Chinese ash is used to coat pills.

Ash Tree (Qin Pi) has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 2,000 years and is referenced in one of the first texts of Chinese medicine, The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica.

Modern Western studies have shown that ash bark inhibits pathogenic microorganisms, reduce inflammation, relieves pain, treat cancer, fights oxidation and protects nerves and blood vessels.

The compound esculetin found in the bark is sedating, antitussive, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, expectorant and antiasthmatic. It is also a coumarin derivative showing chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic abilities. It is being studied for its usefulness in treating diabetic complications.

Ash is an exceedingly valuable timber tree. It is tough, highly elastic and grows quickly. It can take a high polish and bends well when seasoned. The timber is so elastic that it will bear more weight before it breaks than any other tree. It matures more rapidly than oak, and was often in demand for railway and carriage building. It is the second most important wood for the construction of airplanes, after spruce.

Ash is a symbol of mastership and power. The leaves are said to attract love and prosperity. If you sleep with them under your pillow you will have psychic or prophetic dreams. Ash is used to cure loneliness of the human spirit. Ash, Oak and Hawthorn make up the triad of powerful fairy trees. Stand near ash and the fairies will leave you alone.

Three of the Five great trees of Ireland were Ash: the Tree of Uisnech, the Tree of Tortu and the Tree of Dathi. These trees were the guardians who protected the sovereignty of the land. The Celts themselves destroyed them in 665 CE rather than let the encroaching Christians have access to them.

Ash is an important symbol in Norse mythology. It is called Yggdrasil, and is Norse World Tree called the Cosmic Ash. It is said to span the universe and have roots that delve deep into the earth. The ancient Druids said the Ash spanned the world around us and was within each of us. Druid wands were made of ash because of its straight grain. They were used for healing and general magic.