🏞️Appalachian Folk Medicine

Red Root (New Jersey Tea)

Ceanothus americanus

About Red Root (New Jersey Tea)

Red Root (New Jersey Tea) (Ceanothus americanus) is a herb used in the Appalachian Folk Medicine tradition to help with Lymph Support, Sore Throat, Liver Support, and Spleen. The root is the part traditionally used, taken internally.

Botanical background

Ceanothus americanus is a species of shrub native to North America. Common names include New Jersey tea, Jersey tea ceanothus, variations of red root (red-root; redroot), mountain sweet (mountain-sweet; mountainsweet), and wild snowball. New Jersey tea was a name coined during the American Revolution, because its leaves were used as a substitute for imported tea.

Source: Wikipedia, via iNaturalist

Parts used

Root · internal
🫖

Decoction

1–2 cups daily
  • Add 1–2 tsp of dried Red Root (New Jersey Tea) to 2 cups of cold water.
  • Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15–20 minutes.
  • Strain and drink warm.
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Tincture

20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily
  • Pack dried Red Root (New Jersey Tea) into a jar and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
  • Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
  • Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.
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Powder / Capsule

500 mg – 1 g, 1–3× daily
  • Grind dried Red Root (New Jersey Tea) into a fine powder.
  • Fill size 00 capsules or stir into smoothies or honey.

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Children

No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Red Root (New Jersey Tea) in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Red Root (New Jersey Tea) itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.

Pregnancy

Use Caution

This herb is processed through the liver, which is already working harder during pregnancy — generally used cautiously and not at high/concentrated doses without guidance. This is a general, mechanism-based caution, not herb-specific research.

Breastfeeding

Use Caution

Liver-processed compounds can appear in breast milk — generally used cautiously and in moderation.

Children

Use Caution

A child's liver is still developing its full drug/herb-processing capacity — these herbs are generally used cautiously and at reduced, age-appropriate doses.

Contraindications

  • Active liver disease — monitor liver enzymes with long-term use

Warnings

⚠️ Liver Health

Some herbs used for liver conditions can be hepatotoxic at high doses. Have liver function monitored if using long-term.

⚠️ Allergic Reactions

Discontinue immediately if you experience rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

⚠️ Not Medical Advice

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal remedies.

Drug & herb interactions

Processed by the liver

Watch for: Any medication that is also processed by liver enzymes (ask your pharmacist — this includes many common prescriptions)

Can alter how quickly the body clears certain medications, raising or lowering their effective dose.

Where to find in nature

Native region

Eastern United States — Appalachian Mountains

Climate

Temperate deciduous

Habitat

Forest floors, stream banks, and mountain hollows of the Appalachian Mountains

🌿 To see Red Root (New Jersey Tea) growing, visit botanical gardens, university plant collections, or specialist herb nurseries near you. If foraging in the wild, always work with an expert identifier — never consume a plant you are not 100% certain of.

Where to buy

In store

  • Health food stores (Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Holland & Barrett, GNC)
  • Naturopathic clinics and integrative medicine practices
  • Specialist herbal apothecaries and herbalist practices
  • Farmers markets with herb vendors

Online

iHerb

Wide selection of standardised extracts, capsules, and powders with lab testing

Mountain Rose Herbs

Premium bulk dried herbs — certified organic, ethically sourced

Starwest Botanicals

Large selection of certified organic bulk herbs and powders

Herb Pharm

High-quality liquid extracts and tinctures, rigorous quality standards

Amazon

Convenient — verify brand certifications and check third-party testing

Etsy

Small-batch artisan herbalists, hand-harvested and wildcrafted herbs

Quality tips

When buying Red Root (New Jersey Tea), look for: certified organic labelling, clearly stated country of origin, third-party lab testing for heavy metals and pesticides, and a batch expiry date. Standardised extracts offer consistent dosing; bulk dried herbs are more economical for regular use. Avoid very cheap, unlabelled products — quality varies enormously.