Baccharis halimifolia
Written by Carmin Nezat
Other common names for this plant are groundsel bush, groundsel tree, eastern baccharis, sea myrtle, saltbush, consumption weed, cotton-seed tree, menguilié, manglier, mongrier, mongolier, mango, and silverling. But in Cajun country, we call it Manglier.
Described as “a horrible-tasting tea reputed to cure almost anything,” groundsel bush showed some of the most potent activity in the Boudreau et al. antidiabetic study. Traditionally, it was used to treat diabetes, inflamed kidneys, congestion, fever, and other flu-like symptoms. Though it is not well-known outside of Louisiana, this was one of the most highly regarded medicinal plants among Native American, Cajun, and Creole healers. ~Claudia S. Copeland, PhD.”
For “flu” Boil three menguilié roots. Reduce the liquid by half, and add a good drink of whisky. Drink three cups without stopping.
“Manglier is the hidden jewel of the medicinal plant collection. Little seems to be known about it outside of Louisiana, but it is well known by our Native American, Cajun and Creole communities as an excellent remedy for fevers, chills, congestion, and other cold or pneumonia-type symptoms. The leaves of the plant are boiled to make an aromatic yellow-green brew. Because of its strong, bitter taste, it is usually served with honey and lemon, a cough drop, or some whiskey to cut the flavor.” Traditional Cajuns use it as a tea of the roots, leaves, and stems for respiratory and flu symptoms.
For inflamed kidneys and fever Boil menguilié and drink the water three times a day.
Today, Manglier is still used in the same traditional Cajun way especially as folk traditions and recipes are making a comeback.
The following is a direct excerpt from Country Roads Magazine on manglier:
“For years, much of the healing powers of Louisiana’s traiteur plants have been anecdotal, unrecognized in the scientific community. But in 2014, researchers from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, the U.S. Geological Society National Wetlands Research Center, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Rutgers University began investigating whether these local medicinal plants contained real healing properties. Three plants in particular exhibited astonishing potential to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity: manglier, goat weed, and lizard’s tail. Manglier proved to have the greatest promise. The plant was the focus of a peer-reviewed article in the international journal Biology, written by Anik Boudreau, Scott Fuller, David M. Ribnicky, Allison J. Richard, and Jacqueline M. Stephens. The authors wrote, ‘The results of these novel experiments support the hypothesis that [manglier] has potential to exert beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and glucose homeostasis via the modulation of [fat cell] function.’ “
Author cutting manglier in Lafayette, La.
1 Gilmore, Melvin R., 1919, Uses of Plants by the Indians of the Missouri River Region, SI-BAE Annual Report #33, page 113. BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database Physalis lanceolata Michx.
2 Putokan physalis angulata, chinese lantern, cutleaf groundcherry / Medicinal herbs / Philippine Alternative Medicine / / StuartXchange
3 ”What Is Manglier?” | Kingdom Wellness Teas https://kingdomwellnessteas.com/products/manglier-tea
4 Healers-Garden-Brochure-Web.pdf (netdna-ssl.com) Groundsel bush. Microsoft PowerPoint - Brassieur Medicinal Plants 2_25_2014 edit.ppt [Compatibility Mode] (pbrc.edu)
5 Bocek, Barbara R., 1984, Ethnobotany of Costanoan Indians, California, Based on Collections by John P. Harrington, Economic Botany 38(2):240-255, page 26. BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database Baccharis 22 Hinton, Leanne, 1975, Notes on La Huerta Diegueno Ethnobotany, Journal of California Anthropology 2:214-222, page 220. BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database Baccharis.
6 Groundsel Bush (Baccharis halimifolia) Extract Promotes Adipocyte Differentiation In Vitro and Increases Adiponectin Expression in Mature Adipocytes - PubMed (nih.gov)
7 https://countryroadsmagazine.com/api/amp/outdoors/gardening/Louisiana-medicinal-plants/