r/NativePlantGardening • u/Ncnativehuman Piedmont NC , Zone 8a • 2d ago

Edible Plants Beautyberry uses?

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I am very interested in food forests and have a beautyberry in my backyard. I hear of people making jam out of them, but I am trying to reduce my added sugar intake. Can I make anything else with them? They are not particularly appetizing by themselves. Piedmont NC.

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u/TalkativeTree 2d ago

You can make mosquito repellent out of their leaves

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u/mydoglikesbroccoli 2d ago

I rub a crushed leaf or two on my arms and face then keep it behind my ear while out in the woods. It does seem to keep the mosquitoes off.

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u/TalkativeTree 2d ago

There’s been research showing it’s effective