- Region
- North America
- Origin
- Deciduous woods in eastern North America, from Oklahoma and the Carolinas to Minnesota, Ontario and Massachusetts; common in the Appalachians
- Traditions
- Cherokee medicine
North America · Herb · № 988
Aplectrum hyemale
Herb · North America
Adam and Eve root
Aplectrum hyemale
An orchid with a single leaf, green with silvery-white stripes, that appears in late autumn and withers in spring. Underground lie two or more corms joined together, an old one and a new one. The crushed corms yield a sticky mucilage.
Safety notes
Effect and safety are unknown. The plant is rare or protected in several states; do not dig it up. Traditional use is no proof of effect; consult a doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication or have a medical condition.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine: Rare and protected in several states; do not dig it up.
Preparation
Do not gather or prepare it yourself.
Use in traditions
The two corms joined together gave the plant its English names: Adam and Eve, and puttyroot, because the mucilage was used to mend cracked pottery. According to Hamel and Chiltoskey the Cherokee gave the root to children to make them eloquent and sturdy, and put it in the hogs' feed. Garrett writes that the corms also played a part in marriage; that use belongs to the families who keep it. In the Appalachians the corm was used for bronchitis.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine
Attributed effects
The root was given to children to make them eloquent and sturdy, and put into the hogs' feed. The mucilage mended cracked pottery.
Preparation and amount
Do not prepare it yourself.
Caution: Rare and protected in several states; do not dig it up.