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Thick Birthwort | | Name : | Thick Birthwort | | Synonyms : | Birthwort
Pelicanflower
Redriver snakeroot
Sangreeroot
Sangrel
Serpentaria
Snakeweed
Texassnakeroot
Thickbirthwort
| | Parts Used : | Root | | Habitat : | Grows in rich, dry woods of the eastern United States. Connecticutto Florida; Texas to Missouri, Ohio. Too rare to harvest. | | Description : | Virginia snakeroot is a delicate perennial plant; its fibrous, horizontalrootstock produces many thin roots, as well as a wavy stem that reaches1-3 feet in height. The alternate thin, green leaves are ovate andcordate, tapering gradually to a point at the apex; strongly arrow-shaped.A few solitary purple flowers, calabash-pipelike, with an S-shapedcalyx inflated at both ends, bloom on short, scaly branches near thebottom of the plant, often under the litter, during June and July. | | Constituents : | Anodyne, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, bitter tonic, nervine, stimulant | | Uses : | Small doses will stir a poorappetite, and promote properdigestion, but large doses will cause vomiting, diarrhea, vertigo, and other unpleasant effects. In proper doses it is saidto stimulate blood circulation, reduce fever,stomachache, smallpox, scarlet fever, pneumonia,croup, flatulence, suppressedmenses. The tea gargled for sorethroats. At one time, this herb was perhaps the most highly valuedof snakebite remedies, variousother species of its genus also being used in different parts of theworld for the same purpose. Native Americans treated snakebite bycutting into the bite and sucking out the poisonous venom, then applyingthe chewed root of the plant to the wound. | | Dosage : | Infusion: steep 1 tsp. dried rootstock and roots in 1 cupboiling water. Take 1 tbsp. 3 to 6 times per day.
Tincture: a dose is from 1 to 20 drops, taken in cold water.Use with caution. | | Safety : | Virginia snakeroot contains an alkaloid which, in pure form, canparalyze the respiratory system. Use only small doses of the plant;and with medical supervision if possible. Too rare to harvest. |
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