New jersey tea

Other Names

Ceanothus americanus L.Ceanothus americanus var. glaber Alph.WoodCeanothus americanus var. intermedius (Pursh) Torr. & A.GrayCeanothus americanus var. pitcheri Torr. & A.GrayCeanothus dillenianus K.KochCeanothus ellipticus Raf.Ceanothus glomeratus Raf.Ceanothus hybridus K.KochCeanothus intermedius Hook.Ceanothus intermedius PurshCeanothus latifolius Raf.Ceanothus levigatus Raf.Ceanothus macrophyllus DippelCeanothus ovalifolius Wender.Ceanothus ovalis var. intermedius (Pursh) Torr.Ceanothus perennis PurshCeanothus pitcheri Pickering ex Torr. & A.GrayCeanothus procumbens K.KochCeanothus sanguineus Nutt.Ceanothus tardiflorus Hornem.Ceanothus trinervus MoenchCeanothus virgatus Raf.Indian TeaJersey Tea CeanothusMountain SnowbellMountain SweetMountainsweetNew Jersey RedrootRed RootRedrootWalpole TeaWild PepperWild Snowball

Synopsis

New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus L.): A Comprehensive Reference

1. Identity and Botanical Profile

Scientific Classification and Nomenclature

Ceanothus americanus is a species of Ceanothus shrub native to North America. Common names include New Jersey tea, Jersey tea ceanothus, variations of red root (red-root; redroot), mountain sweet, and wild snowball. Additional vernacular names include Indian Tea, Wild Pepper, Walpole Tea, and Wild Snowball. The epithet "redroot" derives from the distinctive coloration of the plant's root system, while the name "New Jersey tea" was coined during the American Revolution, because its leaves were used as a substitute for imported tea.

The plant belongs to the Buckthorn Family, Rhamnaceae. Accepted synonyms include Ceanothus americanus var. intermedius (Pursh) Torr. & Gray and Ceanothus americanus var. pitcheri Torr. & Gray, which represent regional variants recognized in some botanical treatments.

Morphology and Habitat

Ceanothus americanus is a shrub that lives up to fifteen years and grows between 18 and 42 inches (0.5 and 1 m) high, having many thin branches. Its root system is thick with fibrous root hairs close to the surface, but with stout, burlish, woody roots that reach deep into the earth — root systems may grow very large in the wild, to compensate after repeated exposures to wildfires.

Leaves are alternate and broadly oblong-ovate, up to 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. The underside of the leaf is light green and covered with fine white hairs. The leaf margins are smooth to finely serrate, and slightly ciliate. The simple leaves have short petioles and three conspicuous palmate veins.

Ceanothus americanus is found in Canada, in Ontario and Quebec. In the U.S., it is found across a wide range including Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North and South Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, eastern and central Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Virginia.

Ceanothus americanus is usually found in the sandy soils of open woodlands and prairies, and on rocky areas. Thanks to special fungi growing on its roots, this plant has a nitrogen-fixing ability.

Plant Parts Used and Common Preparations

The leaves, roots, root bark, and flowers are each referenced in traditional and contemporary use, but the root and root bark are most prominent in medicinal applications. The leaves have a fresh scent of wintergreen and were utilized by European colonizers as a tea substitute and stimulating caffeine-free beverage, notably during the American Revolution. The root bark of the plant is used by herbalists today, and is used notably in remedies for problems of the lymph system.

Common forms and preparations include:

Infusion (tea): An infusion made from dried or fresh leaves of Ceanothus americanus is a good tea substitute called New Jersey tea.
Decoction: Root bark is simmered in water; this is the primary preparation used for the root's medicinal properties.
Tincture: Hydroalcoholic extract of the root bark or leaves, widely available as a dietary supplement.
Topical poultice: The plant was also used topically in poultices to treat skin conditions like rashes and minor wounds.
Homeopathic preparations: Ceanothus americanus is marketed as an unapproved homeopathic product; the FDA is not aware of scientific evidence to support homeopathy as effective.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

Pre-Colonial and Native American Use

The red roots and root bark of New Jersey tea were used by Native Americans in North America for infections of the upper respiratory tract. They also used the roots in washes for syphilis and cancer, and other parts of the plant for treating dysentery, gonorrhea, and eye problems in children.

Tribes of the Missouri River region used the leaves for tea and burned the roots for fuel on buffalo hunting trips when fuel wood was scarce. The roots of New Jersey tea were used by the Chippewa for pulmonary troubles and for constipation coupled with shortness of breath and bloating. The Cherokee held the root tea on an aching tooth to ease the pain and consumed hot root tea for bowel troubles.

Native Americans used the plant to treat many maladies including gastrointestinal problems, toothache, shortness of breath, skin problems, cough, snakebite, and as a laxative and mouthwash.

The plant was often used as a febrifuge, to reduce fever. It was believed to have properties that could help cool the body during periods of illness associated with high fever. Some tribes also used it as a digestive aid, preparing infusions or decoctions from the plant to soothe stomach ailments such as indigestion and upset stomach.

Leaves of Ceanothus americanus were traditionally used by Cherokee people to cure indigestion, diarrhea, and inflammations of the chest, throat, nose, and mouth. Astringent properties of decoctions were used to treat wounds, venereal sores, and skin cancer. The root was used to treat fevers, catarrh, sore throat, asthma, syphilis, hemorrhoids, inflammations, and indigestion.

Use During the American Revolution and the 18th–19th Centuries

Dried leaves were used as a tea substitute, albeit without caffeine, in American Revolutionary War times, hence the common name. The use of Ceanothus americanus to treat a wide variety of ailments including blood coagulation and pressure, spleen pain, and even cancer has been supported by its rich history in folk medicine. It has been used as a tea substitute during the American Revolutionary and Civil War, and it can be accessed as an over-the-counter dietary supplement even today.

The dried leaves, slightly bitter and astringent, had the odor of the black tea of commerce, as a substitute for which they acquired considerable notoriety during the war of American Independence. The leaves, flowers, and root were used medicinally, and reputed astringent, diuretic, tonic, expectorant, sedative, antispasmodic, and antisyphilitic. The Indians used it in fevers and dysentery.

The leaves of the plant were historically used as a substitute for tea during the Revolutionary War due to the scarcity of actual tea. In the 19th century, the plant became popular among herbalists for treating dysentery, liver problems, and anemia.

3. Key Constituents and Active Compounds

Overview of Chemical Profile

The root contains astringent tannins and a number of peptide alkaloids, including ceanothine A–E, pandamine, zizyphine, scutianine, and the adouetines.

Constituents identified in Ceanothus americanus include cyclic peptide alkaloids, triterpenes (ceanothusic acid, ceanothenic acid), tannin (approximately 10%), resin, bitter components, and gum.

During the search for antimicrobial compounds from higher plant sources, a methanol extract of Ceanothus americanus demonstrated antimicrobial activity against selected oral pathogens. Through bioassay-guided fractionation, three triterpenes (ceanothic acid, 27-hydroxy ceanothic acid, and ceanothetric acid) and two flavonoids (maesopsin and maesopsin-6-O-glucoside) were identified. Among these, ceanothetric acid and maesopsin-6-O-glucoside were new compounds.

Cyclopeptide Alkaloids

Ceanothine D was first reported from the root bark of Ceanothus americanus along with at least eighteen other cyclopeptide alkaloids that displayed close structural resemblances. These cyclopeptide alkaloids — a chemically distinctive class of macrocyclic nitrogen-containing compounds — have attracted sustained attention from synthetic and natural products chemists. Cyclopeptide alkaloids are well-documented constituents of higher plants across several families.

Hemostatic properties of the plant have been attributed to its alkaloids, which are proposed to interact with antithrombin and thromboplastin in the blood coagulation pathway. The exact mechanism of this process has not been precisely determined yet, but it is believed that several alkaloids in the root bark tincture trigger blood coagulation.

Tannins

The bark and root of the plant contain active compounds such as tannins, alkaloids (like ceanothine), resin, and volatile oils. Its astringency, due to its high tannin content, makes it useful in drying excess mucus and tightening tissues. Tannin content is reported at approximately 10% by dry weight in some herbalist references. When taken internally, condensed tannins cause precipitation of the cells lining the gut, thus inhibiting cellular secretions and reducing the absorption of substances across the gut wall. This action also leads to reduced sensitivity of nerve endings in the gut, reducing peristalsis and making tannins useful in the treatment of diarrhea.

Tannins present in the plant extract precipitate blood proteins, leading to the synthesis of thromboxane A2 and recruitment of additional platelets to form platelet aggregation at the site of damaged vessels.

Triterpenes

Three triterpenes were identified in bioassay-guided fractionation of a methanol extract: ceanothic acid, 27-hydroxy ceanothic acid, and ceanothetric acid. Ceanothic acid and ceanothetric acid demonstrated growth inhibitory effects against Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces viscosus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella intermedia, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 42 to 625 micrograms/mL.

Flavonoids and Polyphenols

The extracts of Ceanothus americanus contain a variety of chemical constituents including flavonoids, tannins, and other phenolic compounds. Flavonoids are known for their antioxidant properties, and tannins can have astringent effects. Flavonoid compounds in C. americanus could increase the expression of immune-related genes such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, which in turn activates platelet aggregation and thereby reduces clotting time.

Saponins

The flowers of this plant contain high volumes of saponins, and their foam-creating properties brought about their use as a pleasantly-scented soap substitute. Saponins are another group of compounds found in Ceanothus americanus extracts. Saponins have been shown to have potential cholesterol-lowering effects; they can interact with cholesterol in the gut, preventing its absorption and thus reducing blood cholesterol levels. However, no clinical studies in humans have verified cholesterol-lowering effects specifically attributable to C. americanus saponins.

4. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

It must be stated clearly at the outset that while large-scale clinical studies on Ceanothus americanus are limited, laboratory and animal research supports many of its traditional uses. Limited clinical trials have been conducted. The sections below faithfully reflect the available level of evidence for each area.

4a. Antimicrobial Activity — Oral Pathogens

Evidence level: In vitro only.

During the search for antimicrobial compounds from higher plant sources, a methanol extract of Ceanothus americanus demonstrated antimicrobial activity against selected oral pathogens. Through bioassay-guided fractionation and purification, three triterpenes (ceanothic acid, 27-hydroxy ceanothic acid, and ceanothetric acid) and two flavonoids (maesopsin and maesopsin-6-O-glucoside) were identified. Among these, ceanothetric acid and maesopsin-6-O-glucoside were new compounds. Ceanothic acid and ceanothetric acid demonstrated growth inhibitory effects against Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces viscosus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella intermedia, with MICs ranging from 42 to 625 micrograms/mL.

This 1997 study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Phytochemistry by researchers at the University of Iowa, is the primary scientific investigation into C. americanus antimicrobial activity. The study was conducted entirely in vitro. No human or animal clinical trials have been published to verify whether these MIC values translate to clinically meaningful antibacterial effects in vivo.

4b. Blood Coagulation and Hemostasis

Evidence level: Historical human observation (early 20th century), animal studies, and 2023 computational/in silico modeling. No modern controlled clinical trials exist.

Most pharmacological studies carried out on C. americanus have been directed toward verifying the alleged hemostatic or antihemorrhagic effects of the plant. The first studies of such type were reported in 1927 by Groot, who administered a hydroalcoholic extract prepared from C. americanus root bark to a number of human subjects orally and reported a marked reduction in blood coagulation time, which commenced about 15 minutes following administration and persisted for about one hour.

Oral administration of 3.5–7.0 mL of "Ceanothyn" (a root bark extract) decreased blood coagulation time for a period of approximately one hour. Accelerated clotting was noted within 10 to 20 minutes after administration. A follow-up investigation at Purdue University identified the coagulating principles more precisely: identification and evaluation of the blood coagulating principles from the root bark of Ceanothus americanus was made. An acidic fraction of the drug was prepared by an ion exchange resin method. The acidic constituents identified by paper chromatographic techniques were four dicarboxylic and two phosphoric acids. All of these acids possessed a diphasic blood coagulating action as determined by an electrical conductivity method using the blood of calcium-treated rats.

At low concentrations Ceanothyn acted as a coagulant, while increasing the concentration caused it to become an anticoagulant. This biphasic dose-response is an important complexity that no subsequent clinical study has fully characterized in humans.

A 2023 preprint (bioRxiv, not yet peer-reviewed) conducted computational (in silico) docking studies: considering that previous studies showed that compounds present in C. americanus decrease clotting time, this study aimed to investigate the effect of the identified compounds on blood coagulation factors. The process of hemostasis prevents bleeding by trapping and keeping blood inside the damaged vessel wall. The study concluded that carboxylic acid structures and alcoholic groups of the four selected compounds play a role in interacting with coagulation factors. This evidence remains preliminary and computational; no human clinical trials have confirmed these in silico findings.

One report indicated that the total alkaloid fraction of root bark had no effect on dog blood pressure when administered at doses of less than 5.0 mg/kg. At doses of 5 to 10 mg/kg there was only a transient hypotensive response and a slight increase in heart rate.

4c. Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Evidence level: In vitro and animal studies only.

By inhibiting macrophage activation, Ceanothus americanus extracts can reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines and thus dampen the inflammatory response. In animal studies, administration of Ceanothus americanus extracts has been shown to reduce inflammation in models of arthritis.

Flavonoids are known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. They can help reduce inflammation in the body by modulating the immune response and inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines. These findings are extrapolated from the general flavonoid and polyphenol literature and have not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials using C. americanus specifically.

4d. Antioxidant Activity

Evidence level: In vitro only.

Flavonoid-rich Ceanothus preparations have demonstrated free-radical scavenging effects in in vitro studies, supporting overall cellular health. Tannins can scavenge free radicals in the body, which are unstable molecules that can cause damage to cells and contribute to various diseases such as cancer and heart disease. No clinical antioxidant intervention trials using C. americanus as the test agent have been published.

4e. Lymphatic System Support

Evidence level: Traditional use, herbalist clinical observation, and preliminary pharmacological suggestion only. No clinical trials.

The root bark of the plant is used by herbalists today, and is used notably in remedies for problems of the lymph system. Red root is most commonly used by herbalists to support lymphatic system health, especially in cases of congested lymph nodes, swollen tonsils, or chronic infections.

Although human studies are scarce, traditional use and preliminary pharmacological studies indicate Ceanothus may increase lymph movement and support detoxification. The mechanistic basis proposed is that ceanothic alkaloids are thought to gently stimulate the flow of lymph — a fluid vital for immune function, waste removal, and reducing congestion in tissues. These remain theoretical associations without confirmation from controlled human studies.

4f. Respiratory System

Evidence level: Traditional/ethnobotanical only.

Native Americans used the plant as a tea to treat respiratory tract infections. The roots of New Jersey tea were used by the Chippewa for pulmonary troubles and for constipation coupled with shortness of breath and bloating. No clinical or pharmacological studies specifically examining C. americanus for respiratory outcomes in humans have been published.

4g. Antimicrobial Activity Against Oral/Dental Pathogens

Evidence level: In vitro (peer-reviewed, 1997).

As noted in Section 4a above, the most rigorously conducted scientific study of C. americanus demonstrated in vitro inhibition of key oral pathogens. Ceanothic acid and ceanothetric acid demonstrated growth inhibitory effects against Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces viscosus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella intermedia, with MICs ranging from 42 to 625 micrograms/mL. The Cherokee practice of holding root tea against aching teeth, documented in the USDA ethnobotanical record, is consistent with these findings in principle, but clinical dental trials have not been conducted.

4h. Cancer — Preliminary Observations

Evidence level: In vitro only; highly preliminary.

There is growing evidence to suggest that Ceanothus americanus extracts may have potential in cancer prevention and treatment. The antioxidant properties of the extracts, mainly due to the presence of tannins and flavonoids, can help prevent DNA damage. Free radicals can cause mutations in DNA, which may lead to the development of cancer. By scavenging these free radicals, the extracts can reduce the risk of DNA damage and thus potentially prevent the initiation of cancer. Some in vitro studies have shown that certain components of Ceanothus americanus extracts can induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells. These findings are purely preclinical and should not be interpreted as evidence of anti-cancer efficacy in humans.

4i. Blood Pressure

Evidence level: One animal study, historical.

An early investigation published in 1948 in Fed Proc examined the influence of tea from the leaves of Ceanothus americanus on blood pressure of hypertensive rats. No abstract or accessible full text is currently available for this study; no human clinical evidence on blood pressure effects has been published.

5. Body Systems Associated with New Jersey Tea

Lymphatic system: Red root is most commonly used by herbalists to support lymphatic system health, especially in cases of congested lymph nodes, swollen tonsils, or chronic infections.
Cardiovascular / hematological: Key chemical constituents include tannins, alkaloids (e.g., ceanothine), flavonoids, and saponins. Tannins contribute to its astringent properties, while alkaloids are linked to its effects on the circulatory and lymphatic systems.
Hepatic and splenic: Medical uses in naturopathic herbalism include liver conditions such as fatty liver and hepatitis, and it is considered an ideal hepatic in cases of splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy (especially pelvic). It is also used to help reduce spleen and liver congestion, particularly when these organs are under strain from chronic illness or detoxification overload.
Gastrointestinal: When taken internally, condensed tannins cause precipitation of the cells lining the gut, inhibiting cellular secretions and reducing the absorption of substances across the gut wall, and reducing peristalsis, making tannins useful in the treatment of diarrhea.
Respiratory: Traditional use for upper respiratory infections, coughs, and pulmonary conditions, as documented in the USDA ethnobotanical record.
Oral/dental: Traditional use for toothache relief; in vitro evidence of activity against oral pathogens.
Integumentary (skin): The plant was also used topically in poultices to treat skin conditions like rashes and minor wounds.

6. Dosage Forms and Dosages Reported in Sources

The following dosages are reported in herbal practitioner references, not from controlled clinical trials, as no standardized dose-finding trials have been conducted:

Decoction (root/root bark): 1 teaspoon per cup, one cup three times daily (TID).
Tincture (root bark): Prepared at a 1:5 ratio in 45% alcohol; 2–3 mL three times daily (TID).
Historical hemostasis study dose: Oral administration of 3.5–7.0 mL of Ceanothyn (a root bark extract) decreased blood coagulation time for a period of approximately one hour.
Leaf tea (beverage): Prepared by standard infusion of dried leaves; used historically as a caffeine-free beverage without defined therapeutic dosing.

No standardized pharmaceutical dosage or therapeutic dose range for C. americanus has been established by any regulatory or pharmacopeial body. The above dosages are drawn from herbalist practice references, not from clinical evidence.

7. Safety Considerations and Drug Interactions

General Safety Profile

Ceanothus americanus is not known for acute toxicity, even at higher doses. No toxicity is known in the herbal literature.

Gastrointestinal Effects of High Tannin Content

Due to the presence of tannins, excessive consumption could potentially lead to digestive discomfort. Excessive, long-term use of any potent botanical can cause cumulative strain on the digestive or elimination organs due to the concentration of tannins and other actives. Chronic high-dose use may lead to constipation, digestive dryness, or reduced absorption of nutrients.

Contraindications

Contraindications cited in herbal practitioner literature include constipation, iron deficiency, and malnutrition (due to the tannin content). The plant is also noted as contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited safety data. These contraindications are based on known properties of tannin-containing herbs as a class and on absence of safety data, not on specific clinical adverse event data.

Drug Interactions

Tannin-rich herbs may reduce the absorption of alkaloids and other basic drugs through precipitation when combined in a formula. This is a pharmacokinetic interaction class effect of all highly tannic herbal preparations and is not specific to documented cases involving C. americanus.

Caution is advised for people with clotting disorders or those on anticoagulant medications, as it may influence coagulation. This concern is grounded in the documented hemostatic activity of root bark preparations, including the biphasic coagulant/anticoagulant dose-response noted in mid-20th-century studies, and represents a theoretically important interaction for patients on warfarin, heparin, or direct oral anticoagulants.

Drug-herb interactions are not widely reported for Ceanothus americanus; however, the astringent and potential blood-affinity properties of Ceanothus may interact with blood-thinning medications and should be monitored closely if combined. Its mild diuretic or circulatory effects could slightly alter fluid balance or blood pressure, warranting regular monitoring. These are theoretical concerns based on pharmacological properties of the plant's constituents rather than documented clinical case reports.

Absence of Regulatory Monographs

Ceanothus americanus is not the subject of a monograph by the German Commission E, ESCOP, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), or the World Health Organization (WHO). It is not listed in the European Pharmacopoeia. It appears in the USDA PLANTS database as a native species with documented ethnobotanical uses. In the United States, it is sold as a dietary supplement and in homeopathic preparations, with marketed homeopathic products classified as unapproved; the FDA has stated it is not aware of scientific evidence to support homeopathy as effective.

Evidence Gaps

Clinical trials are crucial for validating the health benefits observed in pre-clinical studies. These trials should be designed to evaluate the efficacy of Ceanothus americanus extracts in treating specific diseases, as well as their safety in human subjects. Furthermore, more research is needed to understand the mechanisms of action at a deeper level — specifically, how different chemical constituents interact with specific molecular targets in the body. Red root, with its long history of traditional use, continues to find relevance in herbal medicine for its lymphatic, immune-supporting, and anti-inflammatory properties. While its safety profile is generally favorable, scientific validation through clinical trials is sparse, making further research essential to confirm its efficacy and safety in broader medical applications.

References

Health Conditions

Health conditions that New jersey tea may help support.

No conditions available.

Body Systems

Body systems that New jersey tea may help support.

No body systems available.