Mitchella repens

Mitchella repens
Family:Mitchella repens; Astringent; Diuretic; Hypnotic; Oxytoxic; Sedative; Tonic; Women's complaints.
Common name:Partridge berry
Partridge berry was commonly used by several native North American Indian tribes as a parturient to hasten childbirth. It was also occasionally used to treat a variety of other complaints including insomnia rheumatic pain and fluid retention. It is still used in modern herbalism as an aid to childbirth and is also considered to have a tonic effect upon the uterus and the ovaries. The herb is astringent diuretic hypnotic and tonic. Frequent doses of a tea made from the fresh or dried leaves were used by N. American Indian women in the weeks preceding childbirth in order to promote easy delivery. This tea should not be used during the first six months of labour however since it can induce a miscarriage. The tea is also used to treat delayed painful or irregular menses. The tea was also used externally as a wash for hives swellings sore nipples rheumatism etc. The leaves are harvested in the summer and dried for later use. A tea made from the berries has a very definite sedating effect on the nervous system.

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 04:34 []