Black Drink Book

Edited by Charles M. Hudson, University of Georgia Press

Until its use declined in the nineteenth century, Indians of the southeastern United States were devoted to a caffeinated beverage commonly known as black drink.  Brewed from the parched leaves of the yuapon holly (Ilex vomitoria), black drink was used socially and ceremonially.  In certain ritual purification rites, Indians would regurgitate after drinking the tea.  This study details botanical, clinical, spiritual, historical and material aspects of black drink, including its importance not only to Native Americans, bot to many of their European-America contemporaries.