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Helmet Pod | | Name : | Helmet Pod | | Synonyms : | Groundsquirrel pea
Helmetpod
Jeffersonia
Rheumatismroot
Twinleaf root
Yellowroot
| | Parts Used : | The whole plant, root especially | | Habitat : | Grows in limestone soils and in woods near rivers from Ontario westwardto Wisconsin and southward to Virginia and Tennessee. Too rare toharvest. | | Description : | Twin leaf is a perennial plant; the horizontal, fleshy rootstockwith matted fibrous roots produces a simple, naked scape, 12-18 inchestall. Emanating also from the rootstock, the large, smooth basal leaves,3-6 inches long and 2-5 inches wide, are divided into 2 half-ovateleaflets. Blooming from April to May, a large, solitary, white, 8petaled flower terminates the scape. The fruit is an obovate capsule.The plant is only 6-9 inches tall in flower, but is double that heightin fruit. | | Constituents : | Bitter substance, an acrid and nauseating constituent, pectin, fattyresin, tannic acid, gum starch, sugar and mineral matters
Antirheumatic, alterative, antispasmodic, antisyphilitic, diaphoretic,diuretic, emetic, expectorant, tonic | | Uses : | Twin leaf is used for chronic rheumatism,nervous and spasmodic problems, neuralgia,headaches, especially headacheswith dizziness and feelings of tension, stress,syphilis, scarlatina, scarletfever, diarrhea, kidney gravel,dropsy, urinary infections, and cramps.In small doses, it is used as an expectorant and a tonic;in large doses, as an emetic. As a gargle, it is useful for throatinfections. Applied externally as a poultice or fomentation, it willrelieve pain anywhere in the body,treats ulcers, sores,inflammations,and cancerous sores. | | Dosage : | Decoction: steep 1 tsp. root in 1 cup boiling water for 30minutes, then simmer 10 minutes and strain. Take 1 cup, then followwith small frequent doses.
Tincture: a dose is from 5 to 20 drops. | | Safety : | Too rare to harvest. Probably toxic. |
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