Ampelopsis
Two varieties of Ampelopsis are naturalized in my region, Ampelopsis aconitifolia (Monkshoodvine) and Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (Porcelain Berry).
Resources of The Southern Fields and Forests:
VIRGINIA CREEPER, (Ampelopsis quinquefolia, Mx.) Fla. and northward.
Used by the "Ecletics " Dr. Wood states, as an alterative, tonic, and expectorant. The bark and the twigs are the parts employed. Dr. McCall has recently in the Memphis Med. Jour, recommended a decoction or infusion of the bark in dropsy. He believes it to act rather by stimulating absorption than as a diuretic. (Penins. and Independ. Med. J., June, 1858.) See U. S. Disp., 12th Ed.
Plants for A Future states:
Medicinal use of Porcelain Berry: The fresh fruits, roots and leaves are antiphlogistic, depurative and febrifuge. Resolves clots. It is used externally in the treatment of boils, abscesses and ulcers, traumatic bruises and aches.
Aristolochia, Dutchman’s Pipe
Ten varieties of Aristolochia have documented use in Herbal Medicine: . Aristolochia clematitis, Aristolochia contorta - Ma Dou Ling, Aristolochia debilis - Ma Dou Ling Aristolochia fangchi - Guan Fang Chi, Aristolochia kaempferi, Aristolochia molissima, Aristolochia reticulata - Texas Dutchman's Pipe, Aristolochia rotunda - Snakeroot, Aristolochia serpentaria - Virginia Snakeroot and Aristolochia tomentosa - Dutchman's Pipe.
Obviously, the Dutchman’s Pipe and Virginia Snakeroot are those in my region as most of the others are Asian.
Dioscorides wrote of Aristolochia:
Aristolochia (stroggole) is called this because it is thought to help women in childbirth exceedingly well. The round type is called female; it has leaves similar to cissus — sweet smelling, with sharpness, somewhat round, tender, with many shoots on one root. The branches are very long, the white flowers are similar to little hats, and the red (part) in them has a bad scent.
The long aristolochia (makra) is called male and dactylitis, with leaves somewhat longer than the round aristolochia, slender branches of about twenty centimetres length, and purple flowers with a bad scent. These, withering, become similar to a pear. The root of the round aristolochia is like a turnip, but the root of the long kind is the thickness of a finger, being twenty centimetres long or more. Both of them are mostly of wood colour, bitter to taste, and poisonous. It is also called melocarp
There is also a third long type which is called clematitis, with slender branches full of somewhat long leaves similar to the smaller sempervivum. The flowers are similar to rue, bright yellow, in a terminal flattened inflorescence. The roots are longer, slender, with a thick bark and an aromatic smell. The ointment makers use them effectively for thickening ointments. One teaspoonful of the round one (taken in a drink with wine, and also applied) is indeed good for poisons, but the long one is given for poisons of snakes and deadly poisons. Taken in a drink with pepper and myrrh it puts out all remaining bodily wastes and the menstrual flow, and is an abortifacient. Applied in a pessary it does the same, and the round is effective for the things we have mentioned. Moreover, taken as a drink with water, it helps asthma, rickets, chills, the spleen, hernias, convulsions, and pains of the side. Applied, it extracts splinters and prickles, and takes off scales on bones. With iris and honey it emarginates [removes the edge of]rotten ulcers, and cleans foul ulcers and fills up their hollows. It also cleans gums and teeth. It is thought that all clematitis is good for these things. Yet this has less strength than those previously mentioned. It grows in mountainous or warm, level places or else in rough, rocky places. It is good for a serious fever, only let the one with the fever inhale the smoke over coals and the fever will stop. Applied, it heals wounds. With the seed of dracunculus and honey it helps malignancies in the nostrils. Boiled with oil or swine grease and rubbed on it cures chills. (Crateuas the Herbalist and Gallus have said the same and that it is good for the gouty). It is called arariza, melecaprum, ephesia, lestitis, pyxionyx, dardanus, or iontitis by some. The Gauls call it theximon, the Egyptians, sophoeth, the Sicilians, chamaemelum, the Italians, terrae malum, and the Dacians call it absinthium rusticum.
Saint Hildegard von Bingen wrote of Aristolochia
Birthwort is hot, and a bit cold. Therefore, pulverize its roots and leaves and add half as much feverfew powder and one fourth as much cinnamon powder. Mix them together and eat it daily, either with bread or with warm wine, or in broth. You will have no great or lasting infirmity until the time you die. No one should shun powder prepared in this way. If a healthy person eats this powder daily, he will not be lying sick in bed a long time. If he is sick and he eats it, he will be well. In order to conserve this powder safely throughout the year, it should be placed in a new, earthenware vessel, enclosed in the earth. It will retain its powers.
Gerard wrote of both Aristolochia:
A. Dioscorides writeth, that a dram weight of Long Birthwort drunk with wine and also applied, is good against serpents and deadly things: and that being drunk with myrrh and pepper, it expelleth whatsoever is left in the matrix after the child is delivered, the flowers also & dead children; and that being put up in a pessary it performeth the same.
B. Round Birthwort serveth for all these things, and also for the rest of the other poisons: it is likewise available against the stuffing of the lungs, the hicket, the shakings or shiverings of agues, hardness of the milt or spleen, burstings, cramps, and convulsions, pains of the sides, if it be drunk with water.
C. It plucketh out thorns, splinters, and shivers, and being mixed in plasters, or poultices, it draws forth scales or bones, removeth rottenness or corruption, mundifieth and scoureth foul and filthy ulcers, and filleth them up with new flesh, if it be mixed with Ireos and honey.
D. Galen saith, that branched Birthwort is of a more sweet and pleasant smell; and therefore is used in ointments, but it is weaker in operation than the former ones.
E. Birthwort, as Pliny writeth, being drunk with water is a most excellent remedy for cramps and convulsions, bruises, and for such as have fallen from high places.
F. It is good for them that are short-winded, and are troubled with the falling sickness.
G. The round Aristolochia doth beautify, cleanse, and fasten the teeth, if they be often fretted or rubbed with the powder thereof.
H. The root of the Virginian Pistolochia, which is of a strong and aromatic scent, is a singular & much used antidote against the bite of the rattle-snake, or rather adder or viper, whose bite is very deadly, and therefore by the providence of the creator he hath upon his tail a skinny dry substance parted into cells which contain some loose, hard dry bodies that rattle in them (as if one should put little stones or peas into a stiff and very dry bladder) that so be may by this noise give warning of his approach, the better to be avoided; but if any be bitten, they know, nor stand in need of no better antidote, than this root, which they chew, and apply to the wound, & also swallow some of it down, by which means they quickly overcome the malignity of this poisonous bite, which otherwise in a very short time would prove deadly. Many also commend the use of this against the plague, smallpox, measles, and such like malign and contagious diseases.
The Cherokee used Virginia Snakeroot:
For sharp pains…. A cold root tea is drunk to relieve headache. A root decoction is drunk for stomachache. A root decoction is blown on the patient for fever and feverish headaches. A root steep is drunk for fever. … A root decoction is drunk for coughs. To cure snakebite, chew the root and spit upon the wound. To relieve toothache, place a piece of the root in the hollow of the tooth. Boil the root for a short while and drink the tea for heart trouble. Drink a root tea or chew the root and swallow the juice for colds. A cold root tea is good for coughs. If a person gets wounded in an accident (cut with an ace, etc) a cold infusion of the entire plant when drunk will relieve the pain and prevent fainting. The bruised root will bring relief when held against a nose made sore by constant blowing of colds.
The Lumbee used Aristolochia serpentaria:
Lumbee healers prepared a Sompson Snakeroot tonic or tea from the roots to treat colic and indigestion, as a diaphoretic, and for obstructed menstruation.
Towards an American Materia Medica tells us:
The Snake-root, the Aristolochia Serpentaria, is one of the more stimulating tonic bitters. It is certainly a valuable medicine, in the second stage of certain fevers, after the inflammatory diathesis has been removed.
It was used, with great benefit, in a most malignant fever, attended with carbuncles, which prevailed at Bristol, on the Delaware, in this state, in the years 1749 and 1753.
Another species of this genus, the Aristolochia sipho of L'Heritier, grows in the neighbourhood of Pittsburgh, and in other parts of the United- States. This is a large, climbing plant. The root has a pungent, aromatic taste, and for certain purposes is, perhaps, preferable to the common Snake-root.
In the Thomsonian System of Medicine:
VIRGINIA SNAKEROOT. Aristolochia Serpentaria.
(Dr. Thomson.)
This is a well known article, grows wild, and may be found in most parts of the country. It is of a hot nature, and is made much use of in tea for measles and other eruptions to keep the disorder out, for which it is considered very good ; this is owing to its warming qualities, which keep the determining powers to the surface, which effect may be produced by almost any strong- stimulant, but the No. 2 is the best for the purpose. A tea made of this root may be given to advantage in many cases of disease; it has a tendency to promote perspiration, and is good to remove pain in the stomach and bowels, and expel wind.
It is stimulating to the mucous membrane throughout and large and frequent doses may prove irritating, especially if the alvine canal be already more or less irritated. In such cases more soothing agents will be better. But in languid and sluggish conditions it arouses promptly and fully.
In eruptive diseases, before the appearance of the full eruption, it is excellent, especially in languid conditions ; but where milder agents will do the work, it is best to use them.
In the treatment of nettle rash or rhus poisoning, give freely and fully for a few hours and then stop.
Its influence is primarily towards the surface, but soon its influence is felt by the whole arterial system, and the heart's impulse becomes stronger and fuller. By its stimulating action upon the arterial side of the circulation and the whole nervous system is aroused by its influence. Even the uterus feels its influence and its use is valuable for the relief of colds suppressing the periods.
Given during parturition, when the feet are cold and there is a general receding of blood from the surface and where the pains are inefficient, this agent will have an excellent influence. It will also anticipate flooding.
Cold preparations quite freely influence the kidneys and relieve congestion and renal torpor.
It is best to use this agent thoroughly and then discontinue its use for some time.
Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians tells us:
American Indians used Virginia snakeroot to treat a wide range of symptoms. As a remedy for snakebite, the fresh bruised root was applied directly to the bites. Fresh roots were also applied to relieve toothaches. It was used to relieve pain, especially sharp pains in the stomach or breasts. Small doses of the infusion were used to treat rheumatism, indigestion, fevers, general weakness and as a gargle for sore threats.
Botany in A Day tells us:
Dutchman’s Pipe contains a volatile oil, an alkaloid and a strong and toxic acid. The tea is used for infected wounds. These plants are also described as bitter, diaphoretic and vasodilating, used to stimulate digestion, sweating and white blood cell activity. A tea of the root is used as an oxytocic to stimulate uterine contractions during childbirth, Caution is advised in using the herb. The root was chewed and applied as a poultice for snakebite.
Plants for A Future states:
Medicinal use of Virginia Snakeroot: The Virginia snakeroot is attracting increasing interest for its medicinal virtues and as a result is becoming uncommon in the wild. It merits consideration for cultivation in forest areas. It is used in a number of proprietary medicines for treating skin, circulatory and kidney disorders. The plant contains aristolochic acid which, whilst stimulating white blood cell activity and speeding the healing of wounds, is also carcinogenic and damaging to the kidneys. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The root is antidote, anti-inflammatory, bitter tonic, diaphoretic, diuretic and stimulant. Traditionally it was chewed in minute doses or used as a weak tea to promote sweating, stimulate the appetite and promote expectoration. The native North Americans considered it to have analgesic properties and used an infusion internally to treat rheumatism, pain - but especially sharp pains in the breast, and as a wash for headaches. This plant should be used with caution, it is irritating in large doses and can cause nausea, griping pains in the bowels etc. It should only be used internally under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. The bruised root is placed in hollow teeth for treating toothache. An extract of the root can be drunk to relieve stomach pains. The boiled root, or a decoction of the whole plant, can be used to treat fevers. The chewed root or crushed leaves was applied to snakebites. This species was the most popular snakebite remedy in N. America. It has also been applied externally to slow-healing wounds and in the treatment of pleurisy.
Medicinal use of Dutchman's Pipe: This species has medicinal activity that is similar to but weaker than A. serpentaria. - these activities are listed below. The Virginia snakeroot is attracting increasing interest for its medicinal virtues and as a result is becoming uncommon in the wild. It merits consideration for cultivation in forest areas. It is used in a number of proprietary medicines for treating skin, circulatory and kidney disorders. The plant contains aristolochic acid which, whilst stimulating white blood cell activity and speeding the healing of wounds, is also carcinogenic and damaging to the kidneys. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The root is antidote, anti-inflammatory, bitter tonic, diaphoretic, diuretic and stimulant. Traditionally it was chewed in minute doses or used as a weak tea to promote sweating, stimulate the appetite and promote expectoration. The native North Americans considered it to have analgesic properties and used an infusion internally to treat rheumatism, pain - but especially sharp pains in the breast, and as a wash for headaches. This plant should be used with caution, it is irritating in large doses and can cause nausea, griping pains in the bowels etc. It should only be used internally under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. The bruised root is placed in hollow teeth for treating toothache. An extract of the root can be drunk to relieve stomach pains. The boiled root, or a decoction of the whole plant, can be used to treat fevers. The chewed root or crushed leaves was applied to snakebites. This species was the most popular snakebite remedy in N. America. It has also been applied externally to slow-healing wounds and in the treatment of pleurisy.
Peterson Field Guides Eastern and Central Medicinal Plants states:
Virginia Snakeroot: Aromatic root (nibbled in minute doses) or in weak tea (1 teaspoon dried in 1 cup of water) promotes sweating, appetite, expectorant. Used for fevers, stomach aches, indigestion, suppressed menses and snakebite. Tea gargle for sore throats.
Dutchman’s Pipe: Used like A. serpentina, but much weaker in effect. Little used.
Warning: Potentially irritating in large doses.
This article is an excerpt from
Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast An Herbalist's Guide
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The information on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing on this site has been evaluated or approved by the FDA. I am not a doctor. The US government does not recognize the practice of herbal medicine and their is no governing body regulating herbalists. Therefore, I'm just a guy who studies herbs. I am not offering any advice. I won't even claim that anything I write is accurate or true! I can tell you what herbs have "traditionally been used for." I can tell you my own experience and if I believe an herb helped me. I cannot, nor would I tell you to do the same. If you use any herb I, or anyone else, mentions you are treating yourself. You take full responsibility for your health. Humans are individuals and no two are identical. What works for me may not work for you. You may have an allergy, sensitivity or underlying condition that no one else shares and you don't even know about. Be careful with your health. By continuing to read my blog you agree to be responsible for yourself, do your own research, make your own choices and not to blame me for anything, ever.
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