Chionanthus virginicus.  Fringe tree, Old Man's Beard, Snowdrop tree, Flowering Ash  Family: Oleaceae    
PART USED: Dried root bark-
TASTE: Astringent and bitter.
ACTIONS
GROUP: Herbs Influencing Nutrition- Bitters
1. Cholagogue.[1,2,3] Hepatic[2,3] stimulant.[1]
2. Laxative.[1]
3. Anti-emetic.[1]
4. Pancreatic and Splenic tonic.
5. Alterative.[3]
6. Diuretic.[3]
7. Tonic.[3]
INDICATIONS
1. Hepatic disease[1] with jaundice, and glycosuria. Glycosuria of hepatic or alimentary origin.[1] Liver disorders generally.[3] Cholecystitis.[1] Gall stones.[3] Jaundice.[3]
2. Duodenitis.[1] Dyspepsia.
3. Migraine. Bilious headache, Menstrual headache.
4. Splenic enlargement.[1]
5. Portal hypertension.[1]
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Hepatic disease with icterus and glucosuria.[1]
COMBINATIONS
- Weil's disease and acute parenchymal disease of Liver, with Echinacea.
PREPARATIONS:   3X /day
Dried root bark  2-4 g,[1] or by infusion 1:20.
Fluid Extract  1:1 in 25% alcohol 1-3 ml.[1] 0.3-1.5 ml.[3]
Tincture 1:5 in 45% alcohol  2-3 ml.[1]
    

ORIGIN: North America.
DESCRIPTION: Bark: Occurs in irregular, quilled pieces up to about 8 cm long and about 3 mm thick, externally dull brown with concave scars. the inner surface is quite smooth and buff coloured. Fracture short, dense, showing projecting bundles of stone cells.
References
[1] British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983 Published by the British Herbal Medicine Association ISBN 0 903032 07 4.
[2] Herbal Materia Medica Course Notes For Diploma of Naturopathy and Diploma of Herbalism Students by Lydia Mottram.
[3] Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations  R.C. Wren Revised by Elizabeth M. Williamson and Fred J Evans. First published in Great Britain in 1988 and reprinted in 1989 and 1994 by the C. W. Daniel Company Limited. 1 Church Path, Saffron Walden Essex. Published 1988 Printed and bound by Biddles, Guildford ISBN 085207 1973.
Images
1. en.wikipedia.org by Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) GFDL 1.2
2. mountainroseherbs.com
3. usinggeorgianativeplants.blogspot.com

Constituents
 Phyllyrin.[1] Chionanthin.[2]
A lignin glycoside.[1] Saponin glycoside.[1,2] Bitter principle.
References
[1] British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983 Published by the British Herbal Medicine Association ISBN 0 903032 07 4.
[2] Drogenkunde, 8th Ed. Heinz, A., Hoppe. Pub. W. de Gruyter (1975) Berlin