- Region
- North America
- Origin
- Prairies and open woods of southern Canada and the central and eastern United States
- Traditions
- Cherokee medicine, Anishinaabe medicine
North America · Herb · № 964
Polygala senega (syn. Senega officinalis)
Herb · North America
Seneca snakeroot
Polygala senega (syn. Senega officinalis)
A low milkwort with white flower spikes. The root contains saponins that loosen phlegm and promote coughing; it is in the European Pharmacopoeia as a cough remedy.
Safety notes
Poisonous in large amounts: too high a dose causes diarrhoea and violent vomiting. Not with a stomach ulcer or in pregnancy. Wild plants are overharvested in many places: buy cultivated root. 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 (2)
- Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) medicine: Too high a dose causes diarrhoea and violent vomiting. Not with a stomach ulcer or in pregnancy. Buy cultivated root.
- Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine: In larger amounts it causes vomiting; a snakebite needs a doctor at once.
Preparation
A pinch of dried, powdered root in hot water; as a tea in small doses.
Use in traditions
The name honours the Seneca, who used the root for snakebite. Among the Ojibwe it was the main plant of bi'jikiwuk, a medicine that a member of the Midewiwin learned in a dream from horned water animals. Main'gans mixed it with the roots of fringed sage, ground plum and prairie rose, sprinkled a little spoonful on hot water and gave it four times a day: a little at first, then more, up to a measure of about a tablespoon. It was taken as a stimulant and for fits, and used externally to stop bleeding.
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.
Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) medicine
Attributed effects
The main plant of bi'jikiwuk, a medicine from the dream of a member of the Midewiwin. A stimulant and for fits; externally to stop bleeding from wounds. Warriors carried it.
Preparation and amount
On about a litre of hot water lay a little spoonful of the mixture of fringed sage, ground plum and prairie rose, at the four directions, and on each a scant spoonful of powdered Seneca snakeroot. Take four times a day, a little at first, then up to about a tablespoon. Also dry, a little spoonful without water.
Caution: Too high a dose causes diarrhoea and violent vomiting. Not with a stomach ulcer or in pregnancy. Buy cultivated root.
Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine
Attributed effects
As an expectorant for pleurisy and croup, for colds and rheumatism, to cause sweating and urination; for a snakebite the root was chewed and the rest laid on the bite.
Preparation and amount
Do not prepare it yourself.
Caution: In larger amounts it causes vomiting; a snakebite needs a doctor at once.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)Powder and kitchen