Gently boil the dried and crushed root in water for about fifteen minutes, then let infuse off the heat for a few minutes before straining. This preparation was traditionally taken in small amounts or used as a gargle. Dosage should be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.
The fresh or dried root was macerated in alcohol for several weeks following 19th-century eclectic methods, then filtered to obtain a concentrated tincture. This form, more concentrated than an infusion, requires professional advice before any use. Dosage should be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.
Ceanothus americanus is found in the wild in open woodlands and forest edges of eastern North America; its dried root is sometimes available from herbalist shops specializing in traditional North American plants.
The root is traditionally harvested in autumn, once the sap has descended, when its red bark is richest in active principles.