MANZANITA
(Arctostaphylos manzanita)
little apple,

Description: There are many species, which vary in size, from a prostrate bush of 1-2 ft. to 10 ft. or taller with a smooth, matte-finished red bark and twisted branches. Large oval, gray-green to blue-green leathery leaves are smooth or raspy, pointed-oval, on short petioles. Flowers form little nodding clusters, white to pink, urn shaped, maturing into tart, red, orange or red-brown berries with 4-10 seeds. Pacific west U.S, most common in California or in foothills and moderately dry mountains

Edible, Medicinal: Berries, when just ripe and not mealy, makes a pleasant, tart jelly or cider drink. Taste is similar to a green apple. Astringent, demulcent, tonic, vasoconstrictor. A tea or tincture of the leaves is used for cystitis, urethritis after consuming large amounts of sugar, grain, starch, fruit or alcohol binges, to alkalize over acid urine. Alternating with cranberry juice is also helpful. Drink 1 cup, 3 times a day. Do not use internally for more than 3 days, nor during pregnancy. A good sitz bath, after 24 hrs. of birthing. Helps in yeast infection, genital herpes, venereal, warts urinary infections, bladder gravel, kidney, water retention.

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