Fish Wood

A large and widespread genus of 177 species of deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreen trees, shrubs, and climbers, found in N. America, Eurasia, and Australia. Many spindles are grown as ornamentals; some deciduous species have spectacular autumn cover, with pink to red foliage and fruits. Several species were valued by native N Americans, the most important being Euonymus atropurpureus, used for various ailments, from uterine discomfort to sore eyes. It was adopted by settlers in the 19th century as a diuretic and became popular as a heart medicine following reports of digitalis-like effects. Euonymus atropurpureus has also found its way into Ayurvedic medicine as a diuretic, purgative, and anti-pyretic.

Wahoo is a small, thin shrub, native to the central eastern parts of the United States and Canada, that produces small red fruits that look like strawberries. Traditionally used as a laxative, wahoo is one of the major liver herbs and is used to relieve liver congestion, stimulate the free flow of bile, and aid in the digestive process.

Deciduous, large, shrubby tree with oblong=ovate, pointed leaves, to 12cm, (5in) long, that turn yellow in autumn. Purple flowers, to 1cm (½in) across, appear from spring to summer, followed by purple-red capsules, containing brown seeds with a scarlet aril.


Common Name:
Fish Wood
Other Names:
Arrowwood, Bitter Ash, Burning Bush, Indian Arrowroot, Indian Arrow-wood, Spindle Tree, Strawberry Tree, Wahoo
Botanical Name:
Euonymus atropurpureus
Genus:
Euonymus
Family:
Celastraceae
Cultivation:
Well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Thin out shoots in late winter to maintain shape. Euonymus europaeus is prone to scale insects and aphids.
Propagation:
By seed sown when ripe; by greenwood cuttings in summer. Seed needs stratifying and is viable for 2 years.
Harvest:
Bark is collected in autumn and dried for use in decoctions, tablets, and tinctures.
Native Location:
Central and Eastern N America
Height:
2-8m (6-25ft)
Width:
1.2-3m (4-10ft)
Hardiness:
Z4-9
Parts Used:
Trunk, Root Bark, Fruit, Bark of stems and roots
Properties:
An acrid, bitter herb that stimulates the gall bladder and circulatory system, has diuretic and laxative effects, and acts as a mild cardiac tonic.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for constipation and skin eruptions asociated with liver and gall bladder dysfunction. Often combined with Berberis vulgaris (See. barberry), Chionanthus virginicus (See. fringe tree), Pulsatilla vulgaris (See pasque flower), and Taraxacum officinale (See dandelion) for liver and gall bladder disorders.
To treat indigestion and constipation, stimulate the production of bile, and as a tonic.
Typical Dose:
There is no typical dose of wahoo, which is considered too dangerous for use.
Possible Side Effects:
Wahoo is poisonous. Side effects may include severe gastrointestinal distress, bloody diarrhea, circulatory problems, and stupor progressing to unconsciousness. Wahoo contains cardiac glycosides, which can help control irregular heartbeat, reduce the backup of blood and fluid in the body, and increase blood flow through the kidneys, helping to excrete sodium and relieve swelling of body tissues. However, a buildup of cardiac glycosides can occur, especially when the herb is combined with certain medications or other herbs that contain cardiac glycosides, causing arrhythmias, abnormally slow heartbeat, heart failure, and even death.
Drug Interactions:
Taking wahoo with these drugs may increase the risk of hypokalemia (low levels of potassium in the blood) and/or cardiac glycoside toxicity:
Acetazolamide, (Apo-Acetazolamide, Diamox Sequels)
Azithromycin, (Zithromax)
Azosemide, (Diat)
Bumetanide, (Bumex, Burinex)
Cascara, (Cascara)
Chlorothiazide, (Diuril)
Chlorthalidone, (Apo-Chlorthalidone, Thalitone)
Clarithromycin, (Biaxin, Biaxin XL)
Demeclocycline, (Declomycin)
Digitalis, (Digitek, Lanoxin)
Dirithromycin, (Dynabac)
Docusate and Senna, (Peri-Colace, Senokot-S)
Doxycycline, (Apo-Doxy, Vibramycin)
Erythromycin, (Erythrocin, Staticin)
Ethacrynic Acid, (Edecrin)
Etozolin, (Elkapin)
Furosemide, (Apo-Furosemide, Lasix)
Hydrochlorothiazide, (Apo-Hydro, Microzide)
Hydroflumethiazide, (Diucardin, Saluron)
Indapamide, (Lozol, Nu-Indapamide)
Josamycin, (Iosalide, Josamy)
Mannitol, (Osmitrol, Resectisol)
Mefruside, (Baycaron)
Methazolamide, (Apo-Methazolamide, Neptazane)
Methyclothiazide, (Aquatensen, Enduron)
Metolazone, (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn)
Midecamycin, (Macropen, Midecin)
Minocycline, (Dynacin, Minocin)
Olmesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide, (Benicar HCT)
Oxytretracycline, (Terramycin, Terramycin IM)
Polythiazide, (Renese)
Quinine, (Quinine-Odan)
Roxithromycin, (Claramid, Roxibeta)
Spiramycin, (Rovamycine)
Tetracycline, (Novo-Tetra, Sumycin)
Torsemide, (Demadex)
Trichlormethiazide, (Metatensin, Naqua)
Troleandomycin, (Tao)
Urea, (Amino-Cerv, UltraMide)
Xipamide, (Diurexan, Lumitens)
Warning:
All parts, especially fruits and seeds, are harmful if eaten.
Disease Effects:
May worsen inflammatory gastrointestinal ailments by increasing stomach secretions.
Supplement Interactions:
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown. Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 208
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.477-478