HERBS: Culver's Root (Leptandra virginica) (REMEDIES, TEA)

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Culver's Root (Leptandra virginica)

 

Identification:

This tall herbaceous perennial was included by Linnaeus in the genus

Veronica, but was later assigned by Nuttall to the genus Leptandra,

followed by present-day botanists.

It has a simple, erect stem, 3 to 4 feet high or more, smooth and downy,

furnished with leaves in whorls and terminating in a long spike of white

flowers, 6 to 10 inches long. The leaves, 4 to 7 in each whorl, are

lanceolate, pointed and minutely serrate, and stand on short footstalks.

The rhizome is of horizontal growth, nearly cylindrical, somewhat

branched, dark brown to purplish brown, smooth and faintly

longitudinally wrinkled, and showing stem bases at intervals of 1/2 to

1-1/2 inches. The rootlets, rising from the under portion, are wiry and

brittle when dry.

 

Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort family)

 

Other Names: Black Root, Beaumont Root, Bowman's Root, Bourman's Root,

Physic Root, Culver's Physic, Oxadoddy, Tall Speedwell, Tall Veronica

 

Flowers: June - September

 

Parts Used: Root & rhizome

 

Habitat: Moist fields. Massachusetts to Florida; eastern Texas to Manitoba.

 

Constituents: Bitter principle (leptandrin), mannitol, dextrose, resin,

fatty acids, volatile oil, saponins, phytosterols, glycoside (resembling

senegin), tannins.

 

Medicinal Properties:

 

Properties:

 

Alterative - Cleanses, stimulates, and aids in the efficient removal of

waste products.

 

Bitter - Stimulates secretion of digestion and encourages appetite.

 

Blood purifier - Cleanses the blood as well as enhances it by increasing

the nutrient value.

 

Cathartic - Is a strong laxative which causes rapid evacuation.

 

Cholagogue - Stimulates bile flow from the gall bladder and bile ducts

into the duodenum.

 

Emetic - Causes vomiting.

 

Emmenagogue - Facilitates and regulates menstrual flow. (Avoid during

pregnancy)

 

Hepatic - Supports and stimulates the liver, gall bladder, and spleen,

and increases the flow of bile.

 

Laxative - Stimulates bowel movements.

 

Tonic - Restores, nourishes, and supports the entire body; it exerts a

gently strengthening effect on the body.

 

Main Uses: Acts as a gentle laxative and liver tonic, stimulating the

flow of bile. It has been used to treat the symptoms of hepatitis, for

pain around the liver area, jaundice, and accompanying depression. It

was formerly used to treat malaria and other fevers. The bitter

principle (leptandrin) gently stimulates the liver and promotes the

secretion of bile without irritating the bowels or purging.

 

Indications: Malaise; soreness on pressure and fullness in the hepatic

region (liver). Inactivity of the gastrointestinal organs; torpid liver;

constipation; dull headache; loss of appetite; cold skin and

extremities; mental depression and great lassitude; drowsiness;

dizziness; tongue is coated with white; skin is yellow; restlessness;

insomnia; diarrhea with half-digested passages, or clay-colored

evacuations; and gloomy and depressed mental state.

 

Harvest: The root should be dug up in the autumn and stored for a year

before use.

 

Preparation and Dosages:

 

Root Tincture: [1:5, 65% alcohol], 10 to 30 drops, up to 3 times a day.

 

Decoction: Put 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb in a cup of cold

water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes. Take one cup 3 times a

day.

 

Infusion: Use 1 teaspoon dried root to 1 cup boiling water. Steep for 30

minutes. Take in 3 equal parts, before each meal.

 

Formula For Liver Disorders:

1 oz. Black Root

2 oz. Goldenseal

2 oz Wild Senna

2 pints distilled or boiled water

 

Reduce water to 1 pint by boiling. Take 2 tablespoons 3 to 4 times a day

increasing quantity if it fails to work or decrease if it works too much.

 

Caution should be exercised when using this herb. It contains

leptandrin, a very strong purgative and emetic. Do not drink more than

one cup of the tea per day.

 

Note: This herb works better in formulas with other herbs than by

itself. As a cathartic and hepatic agent, it may be combined with

Dandelion, Barberry, and Cayenne Pepper.

-For flatulent distention, it may be combined with Goldenseal and Calamus.

-For hemorrhoids, it may be combined with Stone Root.

 

 

CAUTION! Use only the dried root; the fresh root is violently cathartic

and emetic and may cause bloody stools and even abortion. Never use

during pregnancy.

 

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