Holly berries are not supposed to be consumed by humans. Holly berries contain ilicin which is considered to be toxic. The holly genus is large and diverse, consisting of approximately 400 species of temperate shrubs and trees. Most hollies are notable for their spiny, glossy leaves and red, black, or yellow berries, which are a hit with birds.
Only female plants produce fruits, with most requiring a flowering male holly nearby to create berries. Some hollies are parthenocarpic, meaning they can fruit on their own, though fruiting may be amplified if a male plant is nearby.
There are many types (species) of holly. English holly, Oregon holly, and American holly are used as ornamental Christmas greens. The holly tree is native to Central and northern Europe although there are many species of holly tree all over the world.
Holly branches were once used as a remedy for chilblains; people would thrash their feet with the leafy branches to relieve their pain in much the same way as the Romans in wintertime Britain used nettles to get their circulation going.
It is said that if rabbits lose their appetite they should be given a small branch of holly stripped of its leaves to gnaw on, as this will act as a tonic and promote their appetite.
A tisane or decoction can be prepared from fresh or dried leaves to reduce the temperature of the body in a fever, when you have a cold, the tisane can help get rid of mucus and tisanes have been used as a diuretic.
Juice from the leaves has been given to people with jaundice. Only the leaves of certain species of holly plants are employed for medicinal use.
Examples of some of the types used include Ilex vomitoria, which is also known as Yaupon holly, and Ilex aquifolium, which is commonly referred to as European holly.
Only female plants produce fruits, with most requiring a flowering male holly nearby to create berries. Some hollies are parthenocarpic, meaning they can fruit on their own, though fruiting may be amplified if a male plant is nearby.
There are many types (species) of holly. English holly, Oregon holly, and American holly are used as ornamental Christmas greens. The holly tree is native to Central and northern Europe although there are many species of holly tree all over the world.
Holly branches were once used as a remedy for chilblains; people would thrash their feet with the leafy branches to relieve their pain in much the same way as the Romans in wintertime Britain used nettles to get their circulation going.
It is said that if rabbits lose their appetite they should be given a small branch of holly stripped of its leaves to gnaw on, as this will act as a tonic and promote their appetite.
A tisane or decoction can be prepared from fresh or dried leaves to reduce the temperature of the body in a fever, when you have a cold, the tisane can help get rid of mucus and tisanes have been used as a diuretic.
Juice from the leaves has been given to people with jaundice. Only the leaves of certain species of holly plants are employed for medicinal use.
Examples of some of the types used include Ilex vomitoria, which is also known as Yaupon holly, and Ilex aquifolium, which is commonly referred to as European holly.
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