Native Californians referred to this plant as joshik, ashuwet, and aatcawut. The name was most likely taken from the ancient Californian Chumash, who referred to it as toyon. Also known as ‘Christmas berry’ or ‘California Holly’ was in abundance in the Los Angeles basin when Europeans arrived.
Legend has it that the early pioneers of what is now today, Hollywood, confused this tree or shrub for European holly. Almost all parts of the plant were used, either for food, medicine, spiritual amulets, or for tools, by ancient Californians.
Teas were made from the leaves to help regulate menstruation, clean blood and clear complexion by group of native Californians known as Castanoan. Native Angelenos, grouped as ‘Tonvga’ peoples, used the same recipe for stomach disorders. The bark and leaves were used by the Kumeyaay to heal infected wounds and its flowers were pulverized and steeped for gynecological disorders.
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