- Region
- North America
- Origin
- North America
North America · Herb · № 586
Cypripedium parviflorum (syn. C. pubescens)
Herb · North America
Lady's slipper
Cypripedium parviflorum (syn. C. pubescens)
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, antispasmodic, tonic, relaxing, diuretic; for menstrual pain and irregular menstruation, overstimulated nerves and insomnia from stress, pain-relieving.
Safety notes
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 (1)
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine: A protected orchid; the hairs can irritate the skin.
Preparation
Decoction: 1 tbsp per cup, 10 min covered, 1–4 cups a day; cold infusion: 1–3 tsp per cup, 12 hours, 1–2 cups a day; tincture 10–60 drops 1–3 times a day (endangered species: do not pick from the wild).
Use in traditions
Indigenous peoples used the root for nervousness, sleeplessness and menstrual pain; Eclectic physicians called it 'American valerian'. Overharvesting has made the orchid rare and it is protected in many states; herbalists advise against using wild plants.
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
Strengthens the nerves, antispasmodic, tonic, relaxing, diuretic; for menstrual pain and irregular menstruation, overstimulated nerves and insomnia from stress, pain-relieving.
Preparation and amount
Decoction: 1 tbsp per cup, 10 min covered, 1–4 cups a day; cold infusion: 1–3 tsp per cup, 12 hours, 1–2 cups a day; tincture 10–60 drops 1–3 times a day (endangered species: do not pick from the wild).
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine
Attributed effects
For nervousness and lack of energy; with curly dock as a blood medicine.
Preparation and amount
Steep the root as a tea.
Caution: A protected orchid; the hairs can irritate the skin.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)DecoctionTincture