Description:
This plant should be used with caution, it is irritating in large doses and can cause nausea, griping pains in the bowels.
It should only be used internally under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.
Aristolochia serpentaria (Virginia Snakeroot) contains aristolochic acid which, whilst stimulating white blood cell activity and speeding the
wound healing, can be damaging to the kidneys.
The root is an
anti-inflammatory,
bitter tonic,
diaphoretic,
diuretic and
stimulant.
The native North Americans considered it to have
analgesic properties and used an
infusion internally to treat
rheumatism,
pain - but especially sharp pains in the breast, and as a wash for
headaches. The boiled root, or a
decoction of the whole plant, can be used to treat
fevers. The chewed root or crushed leaves was applied to
snakebites.
Cultivation:
Virginia snakeroot is a delicate perennial plant; its fibrous, horizontal rootstock produces many thin roots, as well as a wavy stem that reaches 1-3 feet in height. The alternate thin, green leaves are ovate and cordate, tapering gradually to a point at the apex; strongly arrow-shaped. A few solitary purple flowers, calabash-pipelike, with an S-shaped calyx inflated at both ends, bloom on short, scaly branches near the bottom of the plant, often under the litter, during June and July.
Plant info:
Aristolochiaceae
Plant Longevity:
Perennial
Tags: herbs, alternative medicine, Virginia Snakeroot, Aristolochia serpentaria,
