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| DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied. |
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| BEST LEFT IN THE HANDS OF PROFESSIONALS! |
A small, parasitic plant of the broom-rape family, native to North America with a smooth, branching, leafless stem from 1 to 1½ feet in height. The root is scaly and tuberous. The sterile flowers appear August and September, being white in the upper corolla, about 1 cm long and striped with brown-purple. The less conspicious lower flowers produce the actual seed. The entire plant is a dull red color usually marked with fine brownish-purple lines. It is usually seen as a parasite on the roots of beech trees. It has a disagreeable, astringent taste.
PART USED: Root, plant.
MEDICINAL:
Primarily considered an astringent on minor cuts, wounds, bruises, and skin irritations; root is considered tonic, sedative, nervine, antispasmodic.Along with the root, a tincture of the fresh plant has been used.Has been used for sore eyes.To folk medicine practitioners of yesteryear, and to homeopathic physicians, it is known as Cancer root.Has also been used for asthma, and to treat stubborn ulcers of the mouth and stomach; has also been used for diarrhea.
DOSE: TRADITIONAL DOSAGES FOR PROFESSIONAL NOTE ONLYHOMEOPATHIC: