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Sealwort | | Name : | Sealwort | | Synonyms : | Dropberry
Heshou wu (Chinese name)
Mahmeda(Sanskrit name)
Meda(Sanskrit name)
Sealroot
Sealwort
Yu-zhu(Chinese name)
| | Parts Used : | Root, rhizome | | Habitat : | Grows in rich woods and thickets in eastern North America, Europe,and Asia. Connecticut to Florida; Texas, Nebraska to Michigan. | | Description : | Solomon's seal is a perennial plant; the thick, horizontal, scarredrootstock produces 1 or 2 erect stems, 1-3 feet high, whose lowerhalf is naked and upper half leafy. The alternate, elliptic to ovateleaves are green with a whitish bloom underneath. 2 to 5 or more greenish-white,bell-shaped flowers hang from the leaf axils from April to August.The fruit is a blue or blue-black berry.
Another variety: Other species of Solomon's seal have similarproperties. A European variety (P. odoratum) contains a substancethat lowers the level of blood sugar. This variety has long been usedin the Orient for diabetesand is included in many tea mixtures designed to lower blood sugar. | | Constituents : | Convallarin, aspargin, gum, sugar, starch, pectin
Antispasmodic, antibacterial, aphrodisiac, astringent, demulcent,emetic, expectorant, hemostatic, nutritive tonic | | Uses : | Mainly for external problems. Makes a good poultice for bruises,inflammations,piles, sores,and wounds and a good washfor skin problems, acne, freckles,and blemishes. Has been used as a wash to relieve poison-ivy.Native Americans made a tea of the rootstock to take for women's complaints,indigestion, general debility,infertility, diabetes, consumption,dry cough, dehydration, malnutrition, broken bones, promotesound sleep, treat coughs, menopause,laxative, lung ailments,and general internal pains. The fresh root was poulticed, or roottea used externally as a wash, for cuts, bruises, sores, carbuncles,rheumatism, arthritis,and skin irritations.
In Western herbalism it is said to be given to promote healing ofbroken bones. In Ayurveda it is a kidney tonic and thought to buildreproductive secretions. In modern China it is an important herb intreating cardiac diseases, and is thought to be a strong heart tonic. | | Dosage : | Tea: steep 1 oz. of the cut herb in 1 cup of hot water. | | Myths : | Solomon's seal was so called probably from starlike markings on therootstock, supposedly reminding us of the Star of David.
Another herb (Smilacina amplexicaulis) is known as Solomon's seal.Paiute name 'Shapui'; Shoshone name 'Roy'; The tea from roots forfemale trouble and internal pains.
Solomon's seal is reported to take away, in 1 or 2 nights, bruises,black eyes, burning heat of wounds, etc. Also, it will strengthengums and fasten loosened teeth. |
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