-IBIS-1.5.0-

rx

herb

Asarum spp. (Wild Ginger)

botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Asarum canadensis, Asarum europaeum

synonyms: wild ginger, asarabacca, black snakeweed, Canada snakeroot, coltsfoot

snakeroot, ialse coltsfoot, heart snakeroot, Indian ginger, southern snakeroot, Vermont snakeroot

part(s) used: rhizome

qualities: carminative, diaphoretic

affinities:

actions:

dosage:

» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.

therapy:

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b, 2d (do not exceed recommended dose; not for long-term use)

toxicity: 0

» contraindicated in inflammatory conditions

» ingestion of tea made from fresh leaves may cause nausea in isolated cases (Anderson Geller)

» fresh leaves may cause contact dermatitis (Muenscher, p. 8; Hardin & Arena, pp. 12-15)

» contains carcinogenic compounds

» avoid in stomach inflammation and/or intestinal

inflammation due to its spicy stimulant effects (Brinker)

» avoid during pregnancy due to its emmenogogue and

abortifacient effects (Lewis & Elvin)

constituents:

footnotes

Anderson Geller, C. 1984-1989. Lectures in Botanical Medicine, National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Portland, OR.

Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Hardin, J. W.; and Arena, J.M. 1974. Human Poisoning from Native Cultivated Plants, 2nd ed. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.

Lewis, W.H., and Elvin, M.P. 1977. Medical Botany. New York: John Wiley and Sons.

Muenscher, W.C. 1951. Poisonous Plants of the United States. New York: The MacMillan Company.

in Botanical Medicine, National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Portland, OR.

Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Hardin, J. W.; and Arena, J.M. 1974. Human Poisoning from Native Cultivated Plants, 2nd ed. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.

Lewis, W.H., and Elvin, M.P. 1977. Medical Botany. New York: John Wiley and Sons.

Muenscher, W.C. 1951. Poisonous Plants of the United States. New York: The MacMillan Company.

the United States. New York: The MacMillan Company.