Scientific Name: Asarum canadense, Aristolochiaceae family
Common Names : Canadian snake root, wild ginger, Indian Ginger, Canada Snakeroot, Asarum, Vermont snakeroot, heart-snakeroot, black snakeroot, colt's-foot, snakeroot, black snakeweed, broadleaved asarabacca, false colt's-foot, cat's foot, colicroot..
Parts used: root and rhizome
Active Compounds: resin, volatile oil, gum, chlorophyll, fat, starch, salts, and the alkaloid methyl-eugenol.
Applications: Expectorant, carminative, stimulant
Works as a stimulating agent. Can cause perspiration, excellent to promote expectoration. It may be added to tinctures and compounds to improve their flavor, and render them more stimulating. Used in colic and conditions of the stomach and bowels where no inflammation is present, and in chronic pulmonary conditions. It has been successfully used in dropsy. The warm infusion is an excellent to promote vigorous sweating, and may be substituted for Virginia snakeroot as a diaphoretic. Colds can be successfully treated with a warm infusion. Asarum works as effective emmenagogue with amenorrhoea (supressed menses).
Background:
This root of Asarum canadense was eaten by native Americans and early European settlers of North America as a ginger substitute. The root and rhizome of this plant were boiled slowly in a small quantity of water for a long duration and the resultant decoction was used a contraceptive tea by native American women. It was used in purgatives and other preparations, and in snuff.
There are numerous plants with the common name of snake root, usually due to the snakelike appearance of their root. Care should be taken when identifying any botanical for use.
Dosage: Infusion: 1 c. boiling water on 1/2 to one tsp. root, infuse for 8 minutes. Quantity as appropriate for treatment.
Tincture: 1-2 ml of the tincture three times a day. Infusion of Asarum (1/2 oz. herb; 16 oz. water).
Description: Canada wild ginger, known as Canada snakeroot, is a small plant, apparently stemless, not more than 6 to 12 inches in height. It usually has but two leaves, which are on slender, finely hairy stems. The leaves are kidney-shaped or heart-shaped, thin, dark green above and paler green on the lower surface, and from 4 to 7 inches broad. The single flower is on a short, slender stalk produced between the two leaf stems, and due to its closeness to the ground is not easily visible. It is bell shaped and dull-brown or brownish-purple in color, the inside is darker than the outside. The plant has a creeping, yellowish rootstock. It is fragrant and spicy to taste. It requires light to full shade, with an extremely slow growth rate.
Safety:
There is no known negative safety information available for this herb.
For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
MBSC offers Herb
Become a Fan of