Sweet Gale, leaf

What is sweet gale?

Sweet gale, also called bayberry, gives off remarkable forest aromas. It is used mainly in cooking to season soups and stews, and is very good with any kind of game. Its leaves go into craft and microbrewery beer to add flavour and help the head form. And of course it makes an excellent boreal tea from right here.

How do you use sweet gale?

Infusion : make a tea by adding roughly a tablespoon of dried sweet gale leaves or twigs to a cup of hot water. Steep for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain and drink. It is good for supporting respiratory health and easing tension.

Decoction : to draw out more of its purifying properties, boil the leaves or twigs in water for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain the decoction before drinking.

Inhalation : you can also use sweet gale to freshen the air indoors. Put dried leaves or twigs in a bowl of hot water and breathe in the steam. It can help clear the airways and settle the room.

More on this

This plant is astringent — and note that it is also abortifacient if taken in the first trimester. It was once used to repel insects and to make dye. If you fish in Québec you have certainly seen this shrub. It rings the edges of lakes so thickly that it often blocks access, and any canoeist has been caught in a stand of it at some point.

Ships from Montréal, QC

Returns are started through Bunchberry support.

Each brand ships its own items, so a multi-brand order arrives in more than one parcel — with tracking for each.