American Bittersweet

Botanical

What is it

American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) is a woody vine native to eastern North America. The bark and root were traditionally used by Indigenous and early American settlers as a folk remedy. The plant contains toxic compounds and is not recommended for general supplement use.

How it works

Celastrus scandens contains alkaloids and sesquiterpene polyol esters that have not been well characterized in modern pharmacology. Traditional use was for digestive, skin, and women's reproductive conditions. The entire plant, particularly the berries, can be toxic. Modern medicinal use is essentially absent in the published clinical literature.

Dosage

There is no consumer-safe dose. Modern use is not recommended outside of qualified traditional practice.

When and how to take it

Not applicable; American bittersweet is not appropriate for self-administered supplement use.

1 commercial form

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Celastrus scandens (traditional preparation)

Traditional folk remedy; modern use discouraged due to toxicity.

Toxic at higher doses.

Safety

Berries and other plant parts can cause severe nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal toxicity. Reports of childhood poisoning from berry ingestion are documented.

Who should be cautious

Should not be self-administered. Particularly dangerous near children and pets due to attractive but toxic berries.

Interactions

No significant interactions formally documented. Toxic plant material can compound the effects of many drug classes if used inappropriately.

Frequently asked questions

Are American bittersweet berries edible?⌄

No. The berries are toxic and can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms. They should never be eaten.

Is it safe as a supplement?⌄

No. Modern supplement use is not recommended due to toxicity and limited safety data.

References

American Bittersweet on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on American Bittersweet (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.