Love, courage, protection and potency.
Use in love sachets or in the bath to prevent impotence.
Carry in pocket or amulet for courage and/or strength.
Sprinkle around a room to drive away evil.
Add an infusion of the herb to bath water to ensure a long and happy life.
Burn as a love incense.
Put in purple flannel bag for protection for accidents and sudden death and to keep others from doing you wrong.
Also Called: Black Snake Root, Bugbane, Squawroot, Bugwort, Rattleroot, Rattleweed, Rattlesnake Root, Richweed
The plant is poisonous in large doses. Large doses irritate nerve centres and may cause abortion.
The root is alterative, antidote, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, astringent, cardiotonic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, hypnotic, sedative, tonic and vasodilator.
It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, as a sedative and an emmenagogue.
It is traditionally important in the treatment of women’s complaints, acting specifically on the uterus it eases uterine cramps and has been used to help in childbirth.
The root is also hypoglycaemic, sedative and anti-inflammatory.
Used in conjunction with St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) it is 78% effective in treating hot flushes and other menopausal problems.
An extract of the root has been shown to strengthen the male reproductive organ in rats.
The root contains salicylic acid, which makes it of value in the treatment of various rheumatic problems – it is particularly effective in the acute stage of rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica and chorea.
Its sedative action makes it useful for treating a range of other complaints including tinnitus and high blood pressure.
The roots are used to make a homeopathic remedy.
This is used mainly for women, especially during pregnancy.
