Introduction of False Unicorn Root:colic root or fairywand.
✵The article gives records of the herb False Unicorn Root, its English name, Latin name, common names, property and flavor, its botanical source one plant species, ①.Chamaelirium luteum L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb False Unicorn Root, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
False Unicorn Root(Blazing-Star).
English Name: False Unicorn Root.
Latin Name: Chamaelirium luteum L.Gray.
Common Names: Chamaelirium, colic root, devil's bit, fairywand, helonias, Blazing-Star, False Unicorn
Property and flavor: cool or cold in nature, the herb tastes bitter.
Brief introduction: Chamaelirium luteum is native to North America east of the Mississippi drainage area. The dried rhizomes and roots are used medicinally.
Botanical source: Common herbal classics defined the herb False Unicorn Root as the dried rhizomes and roots of the species (1).Chamaelirium luteum L. It is a plant species of the Chamaelirium genus, the Melanthiaceae family (bunchflower family). The dried fruit and essential oil from the ripe fruit are used medicinally. This commonly used species is introduced:
(1).Chamaelirium luteum L.
Botanical description: Chamaelirium luteum is a perennial plant, it has a strong phylloclade (leafy branch), and grows up to 30~90 cm high. The stem is undivided, smooth, and angular. The foliage leaves are alternate, the lower leaves are spatulate, and the upper leaves are lanceolate. The basal leaves are 20 cm long, 1.25 cm wide, narrow, and whorled at the base. The rhizome is tuberous and stunted. It is approximately 1.25 cm long.
The flowers are white or greenish-white, numerous, have no covering leaves, are dioecious, and arranged in terminal racemes of 15 cm with nodelike feathers. It has separate male and female plants, the male flowers are larger and the spike curved downward from the tip. The petals are narrow and shorter than the stamens, while the filaments taper to a point. The anthers are terminal and double-lobed. The petals of the female flowers are linear, the stamens are short, and the ovary is ovate, deltoid, and grooved. The stigmas are oblong, have 3 grooves, and open upward. The fruit is numerous and capsule-like, compressed, and acute. Flowers bloom from March to May.
Ecological environment: The plant is native to and grows in the Mississippi Delta region, it is a native wildflower of eastern North America, and grows from New York to Florida, and west to Arkansas, Illinois, and Michigan of USA (the United States of America).
Growth characteristics: The plant is found in rich woods, wet savannas, moist meadows, deciduous woodlands, slopes, and thickets. It prefers organically rich, moist, acidic, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade.
Pharmacological actions: ①.source of steroidal saponins; ②.hormal activity; etc.
The herb contains steroidal saponins, including the diosgenin glycosides, chamaelirin and helonin. These saponins exert hormonal activity and affect parts of the body such as the female reproductive system.
Medicinal efficacy: False Unicorn root was used by Native American tribes for cough, colic, stomach upset, intestinal worms, fever, and pain, as a diuretic, to induce vomiting and cleaning out the bowels, and used as a liver remedy in the 19th century. It is used as an effective tonic for the genitourinary tract, for painful menstrual symptoms and amenorrhea to threatened miscarriage, menopausal complaints, infertility, and prostate disorders.
Administration of False Unicorn Root (Blazing-Star):
Reference:
Administration Guide of False Unicorn Root (Blazing-Star)
Herbal classic books:
Liquid extract is taken in 2 to 4 ml doses.
Contraindications, Precautions and Adverse Reactions: There are no reports of serious harm, due to the high saponin content, over dosage may cause nausea and vomiting, or gastric complaints. The herb should not be used during pregnancy, as its traditional use as a uterine tonic to promote menstruation and hasten childbirth. A large quantity of the herb leads to cardiac poison.
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1.Introduction of False Unicorn Root:colic root or fairywand.
✵The article gives records of the herb False Unicorn Root, its English name, Latin name, common names, property and flavor, its botanical source one plant species, ①.Chamaelirium luteum L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb False Unicorn Root, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
English Name: False Unicorn Root.
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