| Latin
name: Chamaelirium
luteum . .
 Description:
False Unicorn Root (Chamaelirium luteum) is a herbaceous perennial
found in low moist ground east of the Mississippi and flowering
in May and June. Stem 1 to 3 feet high, simple, smooth, angular;
leaves alternate, spatulate below, lanceolate above, radical leaves,
8 inches long, 1/2 inch wide, narrow at base and formed into a whorl;
flowers numerous, small, greenish white, bractless, dioecious, in
a dense, terminal raceme, nodding like a plume, 6 inches long.
False
Unicorn Root contains the constituent Chamaelirin, a fatty acid.
The herb is considered an emetic, tonic, diuretic, and Vermifuge.
In large doses, False Unicorn Root is a cardiac poison, but is of
greatest value in female disorders of the reproductive organs. The
indication for its use is a dragging sensation in the extreme lower
abdomen. It is useful in impotence, as a tonic in genito-urinary
weakness or irritability, for liver and kidney diseases, especially
in diseases due to poor action of the liver and not to weakness
of the heart or circulation. It is also a good remedy in albuminaria.
False
Unicorn Root, also called Starwort, is an ancient North American
female remedy, adopted by the empirical herbalists. This herb contains
estrogen precursors that seem to exert hormonal activity in women
that helps regulate the menstrual cycle. It also seems to relieve
menstrual pain and morning sickness and aid in the prevention of
miscarriage.
Emetic,
tonic, diuretic, vermifuge. In large doses a cardiac poison.'
'Of
the greatest value in female disorders of the reproductive
organs. The indication for its use is a dragging sensation
in the extreme lower abdomen. It is useful in impotence,
as a tonic in genito-urinary weakness or irritability, for
liver and kidney diseases. Especially in diseases due to
poor action of the liver and not to weakness of the heart
or circulation. It is a good remedy in albuminaria. False
unicorn is used to treat venereal disease, especially gonorrhea.
A small piece of the root is cleaned, finely chopped and
simmered in 3 cups boiling water for 20 minutes. After the
liquid has sufficiently cooled, it is then strained and
used both as a vaginal douche and wash to get rid of this
infection.
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False
unicorn contains hormone-like saponins which partly account for
its long tradition as an excellent ovarian and uterine tonic. False
unicorn was used specifically for uterine weakness and over-relaxation,
characterized by a dragging sensation, a feeling of downward pressure
in the pelvis, often associated with irritability and depression.
False unicorn has also been used to encourage fertility in women
and treat impotence in men. False unicorn has an adaptogenic or
balancing effect on sex hormones, helping to relieve many disorders
of the reproductive tract, menstrual irregularities and premenstrual
syndrome, which are related to hormonal imbalance. False unicorn
improves the secretory responses and cyclical functions of the ovary
and has been used in infertility caused by dysfunction in follicular
formation in the ovary.
 The
bitter principle has a tonic effect on the liver and digestive
tract, which benefits appetite and digestion and helps to relieve
nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. False unicorn root has also
been used to prevent threatened miscarriage and to stop hemorrhage
PARTS
Dried rhizome and root.
USES
Traditional remedy - False unicorn is a traditional Native North
American remedy. There is some confusion about its use since a
number of other herbs have shared the same name or had similar
names. It is thought that false unicorn was used by Native Americans
mainly as a woman's herb, but it may also have been the remedy
taken by the Arkansas people for wounds and ulcers. The root was
listed as a uterine tonic and a diuretic in the US National Formulary
from 1916 to 1947.
Modern gynecological herb - Today, false unicorn is valued by
Western medical herbalists as a key remedy for conditions affecting
the uterus and the ovaries. False unicorn seems to have a "normalizing"
effect on the female reproductive system, encouraging a regular
menstrual cycle, and it is given to women with irregular or absent
periods. False unicorn also encourages the ovaries to release
their hormones at the right point in the month. It can take some
months, however, for the herb to have a significant effect on
the cycle. In addition, false unicorn is used to treat endometriosis,
uterine infections, ovarian cysts, and menopausal symptoms.
Additional uses - False unicorn is a tonic for digestive and genitourinary
conditions.
INDICATIONS
The
root of helonias is a strong bitter, and one of the most distinctly
stimulating of all tonics. It acts very generally upon the system,
including in its range the salivary glands, respiratory organs
stomach, gall-ducts, uterus, and ovaries. It stimulates the salivary
flow, excites the fauces and respiratory passages, and promotes
expectoration, for which purposes it is useful in greatly depressed
and atonic conditions of the lungs, but should never be used in
sensitive conditions. But its most prominent and valuable action
is upon the uterine organs; where its carcely has an equal in
atonic forms of prolapsus, leucorrhea, passive hemorrhage and
menorrhagia, and similar enfeebled conditions. Though in no sense
an astringent, its tonic influence is peculiarly efficacious in
arresting too excessive menstruation and lochia, when associated
with laxity and depression; and it rarely fails to arrest a threatened
abortion arising from the same conditions. In these connections,
it is one of the most reliable tonics in the Materia Medica
Lack of investigation - The experience of Western herbalists shows
false unicorn to be a valuable medicine for menstrual and uterine
problems. The presence of steroidal saponins, which stimulate
the uterus, indicates that claims for false unicorn's helping
gynecological problems could well be substantiated. However, virtually
no research has taken place. One can only wonder why herbs such
as ginseng (Panax ginseng), which also contain steroidal saponins,
have been extensively researched and false unicorn has not. Could
it be because the former mainly affect the male rather than the
female reproductive system? False unicorn is an herb that urgently
needs to be researched.
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