- Region
- North America
- Origin
- Coniferous forests of North America, Europe and Asia
- Traditions
- Haudenosaunee medicine
North America · Herb · № 946
Chimaphila umbellata
Herb · North America
Pipsissewa
Chimaphila umbellata
A low, evergreen dwarf shrub with leathery leaves and pink nodding flowers. Contains arbutin and related compounds, like bearberry.
Safety notes
Contains arbutin: not for more than a few days to a week, not in pregnancy and not with kidney disease. Rare and protected in parts of Europe; do not gather from the wild. 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)
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine: Use briefly; not with kidney disease. Do not gather from the wild.
Preparation
The whole herb as a tea.
Use in traditions
According to Herrick, the Haudenosaunee call pipsissewa and wintergreen 'sisters', because they look alike. The tea is drunk to cleanse the blood, for kidney and bladder complaints and for a pregnant woman who is feverish and drowsy. Eclectic physicians and the United States Pharmacopeia used the herb as a diuretic.
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.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine
Attributed effects
To cleanse the blood, for kidney and bladder complaints and for a pregnant woman who is feverish and drowsy.
Preparation and amount
Boil the whole herb, with stem and root, in plenty of water.
Caution: Use briefly; not with kidney disease. Do not gather from the wild.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)