Polygala senega

Polygala senega
Family:Polygala senega; Abortifacient; Antidote; Cathartic; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Emetic; Expectorant; Sialagogue; Stimulant.
Common name:Senega snake root
Seneca snake root was employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints. It is still used in modern herbalism where it is valued mainly as an expectorant and stimulant to treat bronchial asthma chronic bronchitis and whooping cough.The root contains triterpenoid saponins these promote the clearing of phlegm from the bronchial tubes. The root is antidote cathartic diaphoretic diuretic emetic expectorant sialagogue stimulant. It was used by the North American Indians in the treatment of snake bites and has been found of use in the treatment of various respiratory problems including pleurisy and pneumonia. The root is harvested when the plant dies down in autumn and is dried for later use. Use with caution excess doses cause diarrhoea and vomiting. See also the notes above on toxicity. A tea made from the bark has been drunk in order to bring about a miscarriage. The dried root is used as a stimulating expectorant - it is said to owe its medicinal value to the presence of saponins and in large doses is poisonous. The root is harvested in the autumn. The root has been used to treat snakebites it is chewed and applied to the bite.

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 05:12 []