Page 205 - Lost Book Remedies
P. 205

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

        Unicorn Root,                                           tincture. You can also use the leaf as a tea. The infused
                                                                oil of unicorn root makes a nice salve.
        Aletris farinosa                                        Habitual Miscarriage: The estrogenic properties

                                                                of unicorn root make it valuable in treating a wide as-
        Unicorn root is a member of the Nartheciaceae Family    sortment of female related issues. It is a tonic for the
        and is found in eastern North America in sunny loca-    female reproductive organs and of great use in treating
        tions. It goes by many names including ague root, colic   cases of habitual miscarriages when taken throughout
        root,  starwort,  stargrass,  white-tube  stargrass,  Ague   pregnancy.
        grass, crow corn, blazing star, Devil's bit, mealy star-
        wort, and husk-wort. Do not confuse it with false uni-
        corn root, Chamaelirium luteum.

        Identification: True unicorn root has yellow-green,
        radial, grass-like leaves 2 to 6 inches (5 cm to 15 cm)
                                         long.  The  leaves  are
                                         smooth and firm. Its
                                         parallel  veins  are
                                         quite    prominent
                                         with 6 to 10 veins per
                                         leaf.   The   radial
                                         leaves  grow  directly
                                         from the upper part
                                         of the growing end of
                                         the  crawling  rhi-    Menstrual  Disorders,  Menopause,  PCOS,
                                         zome. It spreads us-   Vaginal Dryness, and Skin Aging: The estro-
                                         ing    underground     genic activity of unicorn root makes it a good treatment
                                         rhizomes.              for many menstrual disorders and for the symptoms of
                                                                menopause including vaginal dryness and hot flashes.
                                         The erect stem of the   Use the root tincture.
                                         Unicorn    root   is
                                         round near the base,   It is also used  to treat other gynecological disorders
                                         but  it  is  angular   such as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, PCOS, prolapsed
                                         above,  and  grows  1   vagina, and other female gynecological complications.
                                        to 3 feet (0.3m to 0.9   It can be used on the skin in an oil or salve as an anti-
        By John Flannery CC BY-SA 2.0    meters)  tall.  When   aging cream.
        unicorn root is in bloom it is easily identified, so if you   Arthritis, Muscle and Joint Pain: The roots of
        are not sure, wait for the flowers. Its round stem has a   unicorn root act as a pain killer and sedative. Use the
        spike-like cluster of white, small, urn-shaped flowers.   root to make a salve, which you can rub on aching mus-
        The  flowers  have  an  unusual  appearance  because  of   cles and joints. The salve relieves the pain and calms
        their warty-textured outer surface. Flowers are cylin-  the muscles.
        drical, with a yellowish tinge at its rough and wrinkled
        apex and six divisions at the top.                      Colic and Flatulence: The root of this herb causes
                                                                gastric pain when fresh. However, the dried leaves are
        Edible Use: The root is edible. Cook before eating.     a treatment for colic and flatulence. Use the leaves only
        It has a bitter-sweet soapy flavor. The leaves are used   to make a tea and give in small doses. The amount of
        to make tea.                                            tea needed depends on the size and age of the child,

        Medicinal Use: Unicorn Root is used as a laxative,      start with a few drops, increasing the dose slowly. You
        anti-flatulent,  estrogen-replacer,  sedative,  treatment   can also use small amounts of powdered root.
        for diarrhea, arthritis, and as an antispasmodic. It is a   Inducing Vomiting to Remove Toxins and
        pain  killer  and  has  narcotic  effects.  The root  can  be   Poison: When taken in large doses or used fresh, uni-
        taken  orally  as  a  dried  root,  powdered  root,  tea,  or   corn root acts as an emetic and induces vomiting. In

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