|
|
|
|
|
ABSCESS
ROOT Polemonium reptans |
 |
|
 Also
Known As:
- Greek Valerian
- Blue Bells
- False Jacob's
Ladder
- Sweatroot
 |
RANGE: Northeastern
United States, south to Georgia and west to
Minnesota and Oklahoma. |
|
 |
 HABITAT: Rich
woods, damp ground and along shady river banks.
This species is most often found in moist wooded
areas, often along creeks. This plant is
threatened in Michigan
and endangered in New
Jersey.
DESCRIPTION:
Perennial member of the Phlox family, Abscess Root
is a common wildflower of early spring with
attractive sky-blue flowers. This species
spreads quickly with its creeping roots, and may
form large mats where it becomes established.
Attractive small plant for the shade garden.
Self-seeds.
The stems are 9
to 1O inches high, much branched, bearing pinnate
leaves with six or seven pairs of leaflets. The
nodding, blue flowers are in loose, terminal
bunches. The slender rootstock, when dried and
used as the drug, is 1 to 2 inches long and 1/8 inch
in diameter, with the bases of numerous stems on the
upper surface, and tufts of pale, slender, smooth,
wiry, brittle roots on the underside. The rootstock
has a slightly bitter and acrid taste. |
|
| MEDICINE:
Astringent, alterative, diaphoretic, expectorant.
The Meskwaki Indians
use a compound containing the root of this plant as a
powerful urinary or physic. Native Americans also
use the root for piles or hemorrhoids, to induce sweating
and vomiting, to treat eczema The drug has been
recommended for use in febrile and inflammatory eases, all
scrofulous diseases, in bowel complaints requiring an
astringent, for the bites of venomous snakes and insects,
for bronchitis and laryngitis and whenever an alterative
is required. It is reported to have cured
consumption; an infusion of the root in wineglassful doses
is useful in coughs, colds and all lung complaints,
producing copious perspiration.
PART
USED:
Flowers:
Gather the flowers in Spring. They are edible.
Root:
Gather in Fall. Prepare tincture or infusion.
Tincture
- Dose: 1-2 fluid ounces, two
or three times a day.
Infusion
- Dose: 1 teaspoon of dried
root to 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 10
minutes. Take tablespoon full doses throughout the
day for coughs, colds and congestion. |
|
|
|
|
| Thanks
for visiting us! |
| Top
of Page |
|
Littleflower
Publications is a non-profit company.
Dedicated
to the cultural and traditional preservation and
restoration of Native American lifeways.
Thank you sincerely for any support you may
provide by purchasing from our affiliated
merchants! It has been and will continue to
be most appreciated. |
|
E-mail
Fhome
page
|
Comments, Suggestions and Folk Sharing
Welcome
|
|
|
PLEASE
VISIT OUR OTHER SITES!
|
|
|
|
FWe
Specialize in Native American Books,
Music
and Art
Online
© Littleflower
Publications
All rights reserved.
The
information on this website is not intended as a
substitute for the medical recommendations of a
physician. Rather, it is intended for educational and
informational purposes only. Please see a qualified
healthcare professional if you have questions regarding
your health. The products are not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This web site
contains links to web sites operated by other parties.
Such links are provided for your convenience and
reference only. We are not responsible for the contents
of any linked site or any link contained in a linked
site.
www.littleflowers.biz |
|
|
|
|
|