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bog shrub of northern and central Europe and eastern Siberia to Korea and Japan

bog shrub of northern and central Europe and eastern Siberia to Korea and Japan

A plant genus of the family ERICACEAE.

This plant has a bitter, subastringent taste, and was formerly used in Switzerland in place of hops: the virtues are equivocal. The leaves are chewed by the Cree Indians, and applied to burns, which are said to heal rapidly under their influence. The cake of chewed leaves is left adhering to the sore until it falls off.-Sir J. Richardson.

Marsh tea. The leaves are used in domestic practice. They contain a tannin and a volatile oil. In Germany the leaves are substituted for hops in making beer. [Gr.]