Dogwoods (Cornus spp.) have several stories which may have led to their common name, such as being used as a treatment for mange for dogs.
Another was a Native American legend of the Dogwood people of the forest who were there to help humans to live in harmony with the land.
The wood from Dogwood is useful, as it is hard, strong and shock resistant, so it has been useful in tools like tool handles, wheel cogs and pulleys. This use is also a possible source of its common name, as it was used to make ‘doggerwood’, a stick used to skewer meat.
Popular in horticulture because of their beautiful display of flowers and often showy leaf display in fall, they are now planted in gardens throughout the world.
Native Americans used Dogwood bark medicinally as a tonic, for reducing fevers, to astringe the skin, for diarrhea, as a pain reliever, for sore throats and childhood ailments. Dogwoods have also been used for fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, malaria, among a number of other uses.
The flowers have reportedly been used in a similar way as Chamomile, and the fruit has been used in a tincture (with brandy or whiskey) as a bitter. There are conflicting reports about whether the fruits are poisonous, but they can be emetic.
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*This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician