- Region
- North America
- Origin
- Forests of North America
North America · Herb · № 628
Asarum caudatum, A. canadense en verwante soorten
Herb · North America
North American wild ginger
Asarum caudatum, A. canadense en verwante soorten
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-cold, opens a blocked nose, warms the lung in cough with clear phlegm and expels cold and dampness in menstrual pain and other pain.
Safety notes
Toxic or risky: Asarum species contain aristolochic acid, which can irreversibly damage the kidneys and cause cancer; in many countries products with aristolochic acid are banned. Do not use internally yourself. Deliberately no dosage is given here. Not during pregnancy or breastfeeding. 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 (4)
- Western herbs in Chinese medicine: Contains aristolochic acid (kidney damage, carcinogenic): do not use internally yourself. Not with yin deficiency with heat, high fever or heavy sweating.
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine: May contain aristolochic acid, which damages the kidneys: do not use internally.
- Hupa medicine: Contains aristolochic acid, which can damage the kidneys: do not take internally.
- Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine: Contains aristolochic acid, which damages the kidneys; do not take it.
Preparation
Root and rhizome; the action lies largely in the volatile oil. Deliberately no dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
North American 'wild ginger', closely related to the Chinese xi xin. From the viewpoint of Chinese medicine it belongs to the warm, pungent remedies that open the surface.
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 herbs in Chinese medicine
- Nature and taste
- pungent, bitter, aromatic, hot
- Meridians
- lung, kidney
Attributed effects
For a starting cold with headache, neck tension and chills, especially with blocked sinuses (also from allergy) and watery, irritated eyes; the action rises to head and face. For cough from cold, and for cold in stomach and intestines with sudden abdominal pain or diarrhoea. For cold, cramping menstrual pain radiating to the inner thighs and lower back, and for absent menstruation from cold and dampness. The book also mentions toothache, facial pain and joint pain.
Preparation and amount
The book describes use as an infusion or short decoction (the oil evaporates with long boiling; an infusion opens the surface best), as a tincture and as a paste for external use in pain. The roots are dug in autumn or spring, separated from the leaves and dried out of direct sunlight; good material is light green to whitish, with few fine rootlets, and smells aromatic and tastes bitter-pungent.
Combinations
- With California spikenard for cold in the lungs with much clear or white phlegm
- With valerian, prickly ash and cramp bark for menstrual pain from cold and dampness
- With oshá and elecampane for blocked sinuses from wind-cold with headache
Caution: Contains aristolochic acid (kidney damage, carcinogenic): do not use internally yourself. Not with yin deficiency with heat, high fever or heavy sweating.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine
Attributed effects
For fever and colds. Added to other medicines to make them stronger, and to wash your hands and face before visiting a sick person after a funeral.
Preparation and amount
Boil the root in water; the water also as a wash.
Caution: May contain aristolochic acid, which damages the kidneys: do not use internally.
Hupa medicine
Attributed effects
For a sick or weak child, from the formula of the Brush Dance.
Preparation and amount
Dig up the rootstock, lay it in a basket under the child and steam the child with it.
Caution: Contains aristolochic acid, which can damage the kidneys: do not take internally.
Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine
Attributed effects
The root for colds, coughs, fever and poor digestion, fresh leaves on wounds, and an infusion as a wash for swollen breasts.
Preparation and amount
Do not prepare it yourself.
Caution: Contains aristolochic acid, which damages the kidneys; do not take it.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)DecoctionTinctureCompress, poultice and paste