Partridge berry

Native to North America, the partridge berry, formerly known as squaw vine, has been used in medicinal preparations by Native Americans since well before Europeans came to the Americas. However, its exact history of human use is not known, given the lack of written records about the plant before European colonization. Today, partridge berry is still often sold and used as an herbal remedy, and it is also grown in gardens for its evergreen leaves, white flowers, and red berries.

Health Benefits of Squaw Vine

The partridge berry has not been the subject of recent research, and so its medicinal actions have not been scientifically investigated. However, its common use suggests that it may be helpful for:

• Relieving skin conditions. Partridge berry is an astringent agent, so it can be used to treat skin problems like acne, insect bites, or even some fungal infections.

• Inducing sleep. Because partridge berry can help to relax the body, it is often used to treat insomnia.

The partridge berry, also known as twin berry and squaw vine, has traditionally been used to aid pregnancy, childbirth, and menstruation. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these uses, and it is no longer recommended for pregnant women.

How It Works

Partridge berry tannins have been shown to have antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, which not only protect the skin from UV radiation, but also help treat fungal and bacterial infections, allowing the plant to be useful for soothing skin problems.^1,2

It is thought that tannins may play a role in partridge berry's reported ability to relieve insomnia, as do the plant's glycosides and saponins.

Other herbs with astringent properties are agrimony, goldenseal, and mallow, whereas lemon balm, lemon verbena, and linden are helpful to calm the nervous system and induce sleep.

Partridge Berry Side Effects

Partridge berry's safety is undetermined, and because of the lack of research surrounding the plant, it has no known side effects.

Partridge Berry Cautions

Partridge berry should not be used by those who are pregnant or nursing. It is advised to consult a doctor before beginning a regimen of this medicinal herb.

Partridge berry is mainly used medicinally; while it is safe to consume in culinary preparations, it is not commonly used in food.

Natural Forms

• Infusion. Partridge berry tea is often marketed as a pregnancy tea, but it should not be taken by pregnant women. Instead, it can be used as a remedy for insomnia.

• Decoction. A partridge berry decoction may be used on its own, but it is most useful when added to lotions or ointments to apply to the skin to treat skin ailments.

Herbal Remedies & Supplements

• Tincture. A tincture may also be used to induce sleep and should not be used for pregnancy-related complaints.

• Extract. An extract is similar to a tincture but is alcohol-free, which may be preferred. Like the tincture, partridge berry extract can help to aid relaxation and sleep.

• Capsules. Partridge berry capsules may aid in reducing symptoms of insomnia.

The partridge berry plant, or twin vine, can be a difficult plant to grow at first because of its specific requirements, but under the right conditions and with some effort, it can be cultivated in a backyard or garden.

Growing Guidelines

• While partridge berry can be propagated by seed, it is much more likely to grow from cuttings, preferably runners taken in the spring.

• Partridge berry should be planted in sandy, moist, well-drained soil in order for the plant to thrive.

• Soil should be acidic, with a pH of 4.5-6.5, to support partridge berry growth.

• Generally, the plant should be situated in an area with full to partial shade, ideally shaded by trees or other plants. Full sun may be tolerated in cooler climates, but it will harm or kill the plant in warmer climates.

• Partridge berry may be grown in US hardiness zones 3 - 9. While it can survive cold winters, it cannot survive in excessive heat, so it should be in the shade and near water in hot areas to provide cooling.

• It is advised to water the plant frequently for the first two years.

• Partridge berry blooms for two to three weeks in early summer.

• This woody shrub must be pruned if intended to keep to a specific area, as it will eventually spread otherwise.

• Partridge berry is not at risk from many pests or diseases, but it is best to look out for annoyances such as aphids and fungus to keep the plant healthy.

Plant Biology

Partridge berry, also known as twin berry and squaw vine, is a perennial shrub that tends to grow in temperate woodland areas of North America. It may also sometimes behave as an evergreen. It tends to grow two inches (5 cm) tall, and its stems are generally 5-15 inches (15-37 cm) long. Its leaves are green, small - less than one inch (2.5 cm) long - and slightly heart-shaped. Its flowers are white, and each of its small red berries is formed by two flowers joining together.

Partridge berry has a number of other names. It may also be referred to as checkerberry, one-berry, squawberry, twin berry, and two-eyed berry.

• Classification
  

  Partridge berry, or Mitchella repens, is a member of the Rubiaceae family. This family is best known as the "coffee family", because it famously includes coffee, along with other well-known members, such as quinine (Cinchona officinalis), cleavers (Galium aparine), and cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa).

• Related Species
  

  Only two species belong to the genus Mitchella: M. repens and its relative M. undulata, which is a similar type of ground cover plant that is native to East Asia, particularly Japan and South Korea. However, M. undulata is not used for any culinary or medicinal purposes.

Historical Information

Partridge berry was popularly used by Native Americans as a way to ease pregnancy, labor, and birth. In particular, it was commonly used by Cherokee and Penobscot women. This is how the plant received its former name of squaw vine: European colonists discovered the benefits of the plant and began to use it as well, but it was later found to be potentially dangerous for pregnant women to use and its use has since declined along with its old name.

Other Uses

• Gardening. Partridge berry is popularly cultivated as an ornamental in gardens.

Although partridge berry is a little-known plant, it has valuable medicinal uses - especially its astringent and sedative properties - and can be used to make useful herbal remedies.