Botanical Name: Chamaelirium lutem | Family: Liliaceae
Common name(s): False Unicorn, Helonias, Colic root, Devil’s bit, Fairy wand, Star grub root, Grub root
GROWING
- Evergreen herb | Zone 5-8 | 1 foot, 8 inches tall | White flowers in May-June | Male and female plants, only females produce seed.
- Dappled shade | Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil
HARVESTING
Harvest the root in autumn and dry for later use.
PREPARATION / DOSAGE
Decoction: Pour 1 – 2 teaspoons of the herbin a 1 cup of water. Bring to the boil and simmer 10-15 minutes. Drink 3x/day or in large amounts for threatened miscarriage.
Tincture: 2-4ml 3x/day
MEDICAL
Constituents: Glycosides, steroidal saponins including chamaelirin, helonin, diosgenin
Actions: Adaptogen, anthelmintic, diuretic, emetic, estrogenic, uterine tonic, vermifuge
Uses: Ovarian cysts, hormonal imbalance, low fertility, menopausal symptoms, internal parasites, threatened miscarriage, nausea during pregnancy
Combinations: A cardiac toxin in large quantities, which may cause nausea and vomiting. Should not be used in pregnancy except under the care of an experienced practitioner.
CHINESE MEDICINE
Bitter, warm
SOURCES
- The Way of Herbs, Michael Tierra
- Holistic Herbal, David Hoffmann
- Herbal Remedies, Andrew Chevallier
- United Plant Savers
- Plants for a Future
- photo credit: tgpotterfield Chamaelirium luteum (devil’s-bit or fairywand) via photopin (license)
Aletris farinosa is True Unicorn. False Unicorn is an endangered plant because not too many people are cultivating it and harvesting the rhizome destroys the whole plant. I think I have the right conditions for growing this plant so it may wind up on my property at some point. (I haven’t noticed it on my property growing wild.)
There seem to be some contradictory indications in this materia medica. Used for nausea in pregnancy but can also cause nausea….
