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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