Medicinal Plants : Sanicula marilandica

Name

American Sanicle

Biological Name

Sanicula marilandica

Other Names

Sanicle, American sanicle, black sanicle, black snakeroot, wood sanicle, sanicle root, pool root, butterwort

Parts Used

Rootstock, leaves

Remedies For

Action

Astringent, expectorant, nervine, vulnerary, alterative, discutient, depurative

Uses

The astringent properties of sanicle root make it useful as a gargle for irritations and sores in the mouth and throat and also internally for ulcers, hemorrhage and excessive menstrual flow. The Powdered root has been popularly used against intermittent fever and chorea (St. Vitus' dance).

Jethro Ross calls this herb "a cure-all". It possesses powerful cleansing and healing properties

Description

American sanicle is a perennial plant found in rich woods from Newfoundland south to Georgia, and west to Alberta and Colorado. A fibrous rootstock produces a light- green,. furrowed, hollow stern bearing a few sessile leaves or none at all. Most of the plant's bluish-green, palmately lobed leaves are basal, growing on long petioles. Small umbels of white, greenish-white, or yellowish flowers bloom from May to July.

Dosage

Infusion: Steep 1 tsp. Rootstock in water. Take 1 cup a day

Tincture: A dose is from 15 to 30 drops.

Safety

No information available.