The Mighty Yaupon: Mystical, Medicinal and Misunderstood
by Jill
Straight, SW Piedmont Chapter, Virginia Master Naturalists
On a recent trip to the coast, I discovered a
tough little shrub native to the Virginia coastland but also found inland, the
mighty yaupon, Ilex vomitoria. The yaupon was once an important medicinal and
ceremonial plant for Native Americans, as it is the only native plant with
caffeine. Native Americans brewed yaupon, similar to green tea, in high
concentrations for a caffeine high. Natives also traded the tea with European
settlers, looking for a source of caffeine.
You may have noticed the scientific name, ilex
vomitoria, which alludes to the danger of drinking too much unroasted yaupon.
Legend has it, if you drink enough of the unroasted tea, it has an expurgent
effect on the body. Consider yourself warned! It’s best to roast before brewing
yaupon.
Today, yaupon is not so well known as a tea, but is more widely used as a hardy, disease resistant commercial shrub. However, a few small entrepreneurs, such as Frank Community Farm, have found an opportunity to market roasted leaves as a native tea.
The yaupon is a member of the holly family
with a small serrated leaf. Look around commercial planting areas and you may
see this quiet little bush with a long history in our country. You’ll also find a newly planted yaupon,
thriving in my garden (photo above).
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