- Region
- North America
- Origin
- Banks of streams and rivers in eastern North America, from Maine to northern Florida and Texas; common in the southern Appalachians
- Traditions
- Cherokee medicine
North America · Herb · № 986
Xanthorhiza simplicissima
Herb · North America
Yellowroot
Xanthorhiza simplicissima
A low shrub of the buttercup family, one of the few woody species in that family. Root and stem are bright yellow from berberine, a bitter substance also found in goldenseal and barberry that inhibits bacteria and fungi.
Safety notes
Do not take berberine for long or in large amounts, and not in pregnancy, while breastfeeding or for newborns. It can change the effect of medicines. A sore throat with fever, or one that has not gone after a week, needs a doctor. 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)
- Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine: Do not take it for long; not in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Preparation
Chew a piece of stem, or make a tea of a few pieces of root, steeped for 10 minutes.
Use in traditions
One of the best-known Cherokee plants, still widely used. Someone with a raw throat or sore mouth chews a piece of stem; scratch the bark with a knife and you see at once the yellow by which you recognise the plant. An infusion of the root was drunk as a tonic, for stomach cramps and for the nerves, and used for piles. A poultice went on sore eyes. From the whole plant the Cherokee made a yellow dye for baskets. The Catawba also drank the root for an ulcerated stomach and jaundice.
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.
Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine
Attributed effects
For a sore mouth and throat and hoarseness, as a tonic, for stomach cramps, for the nerves and for piles; also a yellow dye for baskets.
Preparation and amount
Chew a piece of stem, or make a tea of the root.
Caution: Do not take it for long; not in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)