- Region
- North America
- Origin
- North America
North America · Herb · № 581
Veronicastrum virginicum
Herb · North America
Culver's root
Veronicastrum virginicum
Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, stimulating, supports the liver, promotes bile; decongests liver and gallbladder, for gallbladder pain and jaundice.
Safety notes
Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Western herbalism: Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine: Strong: poisonous in too large an amount. Not in pregnancy.
Preparation
Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Use in traditions
Indigenous peoples used the root as a powerful laxative and emetic in ceremonies and illness. The English name Culver's root is said to refer to an 18th-century physician. Eclectic physicians used the dried root for liver and gallbladder complaints; fresh it is too violent.
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.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Laxative, stimulating, supports the liver, promotes bile; decongests liver and gallbladder, for gallbladder pain and jaundice.
Preparation and amount
Traditionally used forms: decoction, tincture.
Caution: Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine
Attributed effects
For too much bile, fever and spring tiredness; as a laxative.
Preparation and amount
Steep a small piece of root in lukewarm water until it turns green.
Caution: Strong: poisonous in too large an amount. Not in pregnancy.