Herbal Focus: Redbud (Eastern) Cercis canadensis

This Spring Showstopper is More Than Just Another Pretty Face

That brilliant pink tree you see every spring isn’t just pretty — it’s immensely practical. From immune-supporting blossoms to respiratory-soothing inner bark, redbud is a beautiful reminder that some of our most helpful plant allies are growing right in our own backyard. Once you learn what to look for, this familiar tree becomes a powerful seasonal resource hiding in plain sight.

Basic Identification

Redbud trees typically reach about 15–25 feet tall and have medium to dark gray bark with a mostly smooth texture. It’s common to see patches of lichen growing along the trunk and branches. Their leaves are heart-shaped and medium to dark green. In spring, the tree bursts into clusters of bright pink, pea-like flowers. They are spectacular trees and difficult to miss. By autumn, long seed pods form and hang gracefully from its branches.

Where Does It Grow?

Native to North America, redbud trees are widespread and often grown along the woodland edge.

Harvesting Advice: Collect the inner bark in the autumn and flowers in the spring.

Edible Uses

The flowers are edible and can be sprinkled into salads, infused into syrups, or made into jelly. When preparing syrup or jelly, adding a splash of lemon juice helps to naturally intensify their pink color, creating a lovely, vibrant hue via a simple chemical reaction.

Recipe. Redbud Cough and Immune Support Syrup

For this herbal remedy, you will need one cup of redbud flowers, one cup of water, and enough raw organic honey to get a syrup-like consistency — around one cup. Adding one to two teaspoons of lemon juice to this remedy is recommended.

Add the flowers to a quart-sized mason jar. Next, bring the water to a boil. When the water begins to boil, pour it carefully into the mason jar with the flowers. Let this infuse for up to six hours, covered. Then, strain out the flowers, reserving the liquid. Add enough lemon juice to bring out the pink color, about 1-2 tsp. Pour the liquid into a pot on the stove and heat it gently. Add one cup of raw honey or as much as you need to get a syrup-like consistency. Stir until everything is well-blended. Pour into a jar, label, and store in the refrigerator between uses. Take one to two tablespoons at the first sign of illness or to control a stubborn cough.

Alternatively, see our Bronchial Blend in the apothecary for a ready-made tincture to address respiratory complaints.

Medicinal Uses

Both the flowers and inner bark are useful for medicinal purposes — especially if you are seeking relief from a cold, cough, or viral infection. The flowers are packed with vitamin C and other flavonoids, while the inner bark is high in astringent tannins.

Here are my top 3 uses for redbud:

Boosting Immunity. Since redbud flowers are high in essential vitamins and nutrients, they are an outstanding remedy for viral infections — including influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome. Infuse the flowers in water and add raw honey to create an effective remedy to ease symptoms and shorten the duration of illness. See the recipe above for specific instructions. If you are short on time and not able to make your own remedies, our convenient elderberry and usnea throat spray are an excellent alternative.

Astringent Action. The inner bark of red bud is highly astringent and useful for diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and wounds. Boil the inner bark in water, covered, for ten to fifteen minutes to make an effective wound and hemorrhoid wash.

Cough Suppressant. A bark infusion is also helpful for easing an irritating cough. It works by soothing the throat and calming spasmodic coughing.

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies II contains hundreds of plant profiles beyond redbud that include identification, uses, harvesting advice, and high-quality photographs. Simple recipes for a wide range of remedies are also covered. The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies II completes the first book, you’ll find only new plants and very different remedies.

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Nicole Apelian

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