Botanical Name
- Family Liliaceae
- Aletris farinosa
Common Names
- True Unicorn Root, Colic-root, Aletris, Starwort, Blazing Star, Ague-root, Aloe-root, Ague Grass, Black-root, Bitter Grass, Crow Corn, Bettie Grass, Devil's Bit, True Unicorn Star-grass, True Unicorn Root
Cautions
- Use only under professional guidance.
- The dried, and especially the fresh, rhizome can be toxic in overdose, causing colic, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Description
Native to eastern North America, star grass is a perennial, growing to about three feet, producing a flowering stem, smooth lance-shaped leaves, and white, bell-shaped flowers that appear to be covered with frost. The herb grows mainly in swamps and wet, sandy woodlands, especially near the seashore. It is harvested commercially in Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. It has a sweet taste becoming bitter and soapy.
History
The Catawaba peoples used a cold-water infusion for stomachaches and gave a remedy for snakebite.
Key Actions
- increases motility
- estrogenic effect
- tonic
Key Components
- steroidal saponins (based on diosgenin)
- bitter principle
- volatile oil
- resin
Medicinal Parts
- Rhizome, leaves
Traditional Uses
It is used mainly for gynecological reasons, particularly during menopause, but also given for menstrual pain, irregular periods, and prolapsed uterus. Some believe that it prevents threatened miscarriages.
It is a good digestive herb proving beneficial in treating an appetite loss, indigestion, flatulence, and bloating.
It has also been used to treat rheumatism.
In Argentina, it is used to treat chronic bronchitis.