Herbs & Herbal Remedies @ Green Papaya

Diospyros Virginiana

EBENACEAE

persimmon, winter plum, date-plum, possum-wood, simmon

The common persimmon is found all over the United States except in the northern tier of states and in subtropical zones. It grows in dry fields, old woods, and clearings, and is a small tree rather than a shrub. Its spring flowers are followed by plumlike, green berries which remain very puckery to the taste until the frost or complete ripeness turns them into a yellow to reddish, delicious, soft, and luscious fruit. Those who know the delights of eating the cultivated and related Japanese persimmons will recognize this as its American counterpart.

The Latin name, Diospyros, means “fruit of Jove” or “heavenly plant.”

Those names may have come from the delightful quality of the fruit, or more probably, because a European species of Diospyros is said to have caused oblivion, thus transporting one to heaven, the land of Jove.

The medicinal values of persimmon are not too great. However, the obvious astringent properties found in the fruit are also present in the bark, which has been used by country people although not so noted in the pharmacopoeias. The bark is astringent, styptic, and, due to the tannin content, very bitter. It is used in diarrhea, dysentery, uterine hemorrhages, and as a bitter tonic. The outer bark is mentioned as corroborant, antiseptic, and as a febrifuge. The inner bark is extremely bitter and a very good astringent tonic, useful in sore throats, fevers, dysentery, and diarrhea.

The ripe fruit has been used in making a beer or brandy distillation. It is subastringent, nutrient, antiseptic, and, possibly, anthelmintic. The unripe fruit, combined with alum, may be helpful in an ulcerated sore throat and also as an internal astringent, just as is the bark.