Yaupon Holly

Species Name: Ilex vomitoria L

Also Known As: Yaupon, Black drink plant, Emetic holly, Indian black drink, Texas Holly

The yaupon holly is small evergreen tree or shrub that has both male and female trees.

This slow growing holly can reach a height of around twenty feet at twenty years of age for the plant.

It has a whitish-gray bark, with leathery green leaves and white clusters of flowers that grow in May and June. The small round winter fruit is red and shiny.

It is believed that the evergreen leaves of the yaupon holly contain more caffeine than any other native North American plant.

The plant is native to southeastern North America, usually growing in sandy woods or clearing from Florida to Texas, and north into Virginia and Arkansas.

What is yaupon holly? The leaves of the yaupon holly plant are generally used. Commercial products containing yaupon holly are difficult if not impossible to find. Generally the leaves are harvested by individuals.

It is important to note that the berries of this plant are considered poisonous and should not be used.

Home Remedies Using Yaupon Holly:

Benefits of Yaupon Holly:

Historically the yaupon holly leaves were smoked by Native Americans or the leaves were toasted in clay pots to make an infusion. This was done for various ceremonial purposes that included inducing vomiting for ceremonial purity.

The plant was also used as a hallucinogen, the bark was used to treat patients with nightmares of ghosts or if they talked in their sleep.

Eyewash was made to treat sore eyes by scraping off the inner bark and boiling it in water for several hours.

Tea made from the yaupon holly contains caffeine and so this herb is thought of as a stimulant. The Yaupon Holly Tea was used as a substitute for coffee during American Civil War blockades.

There is a great deal of controversy today centered on whether the yaupon holly is a true emetic plant or if the vomiting was caused by other agents.

Some herbalists will tell you yaupon holly isn’t an emetic, but that the tea is much like yerba mate. Others give strong warnings on its toxic and emetic properties.

The plants use as an herbal supplement center on its being an emetic, inducing vomiting.

Side Effects of Yaupon Holly:

Yaupon holly berries are toxic, especially to children. It is recommended that this herb only be used under professional guidance.