Asarum canadense

Asarum canadense
Family:Asarum canadense; Anthelmintic; Antiasthmatic; Antibiotic; Antitumor; Carminative; Contraceptive; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Expectorant; Irritant; Poultice; Salve; Stimulant; Stomachic; Tonic.
Common name:Snake root
Snake root was widely employed as a medicinal herb by a number of native North American tribes who used it to treat a wide range of ailments. It is still occasionally used in modern herbalism. The root is anthelmintic carminative diaphoretic diuretic expectorant irritant powerfully stimulant stomachic and tonic. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. It is used in the treatment of chronic chest complaints asthma coughs colds dropsy painful spasms of the bowels and stomach scant or painful menstruation infantile convulsions. The fresh leaves are applied as a poultice to wounds and inflammations whilst a decoction or salve is applied to sores. The root contains antibiotic substances effective against broad-spectrum bacteria and fungi. It also contains aristolochic acid which has antitumor activity. The root and rhizome were slowly boiled in a small quantity of water for a long time and the resulting liquid drunk as a contraceptive by the women of one N. American Indian tribe.

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 01:28 []