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Colic Root

Scientific Names


• Aletris farinosa L.
• Lily family

Common Names

Ague grass
Bitter grass
Blazing star
Crow corn
Mealy starwort
Star root
Star grass
True unicorn root
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Parts Usually Used

Rootstock (rhizome)
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Colic root is a native North American perennial plant; its thick, fibrous rootstock produces a rosette of yellow-green, long, pointed, lanceolate, spreading basal leaves. The numerous white tubular-oblong, somewhat bell-shaped flowers grow in a terminal spike-like raceme on an erect, flower-stalk that reaches 1 1/2 to 3 feet in height. Flowering time is from May to August. The fruit is an ovoid capsule containing many oblong, ribbed seeds.
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Where Found

Grows in grassy or sandy woodlands, barren places, in acid or peaty soils in the eastern half of North America, from southern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
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Medicinal Properties

Bitter tonic, narcotic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory
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Biochemical Information

Contains diosgenin, which has both anti-inflammatory and estrogenic properties, vitamin E.
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Legends, Myths and Stories

Containing vitamin E as a preventative to miscarriage, it is dependable and free from affects during the entire period of gestation (pregnancy). Be sure to use only dried rootstock.
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Uses

A decoction or tincture has been used for flatulent colic and for other digestive problems. Recommended for menstrual problems such as dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia. Stimulates appetite, jaundice, rheumatism, and a general tonic. Contains diosgenin, which has both anti-inflammatory and estrogenic properties.
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Formulas or Dosages

The dried rootstock is used.

Decoction: boil 1 tsp. dried rootstock in 1 cup water. Take 1 cup a day, a mouthful at a time.

Tincture: a dose is from 15-40 drops. For menstrual problems, take in hot water.
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Nutrient Content

Vitamin E
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Warning

Use dried rootstock only. The fresh root, which is toxic, causes unpleasant internal effects, including dizziness, intestinal pains, vomiting and purging. The toxic effect is lost in drying.
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Bibliography

Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss; Back to Eden Publishing Co., Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994

The Herb Book, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.

Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000

Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992

The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993

Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973

American Folk Medicine, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1973

Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, New World Dictionaries: A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023, 1984

An Instant Guide to Medicinal Plants, by Pamela Forey and Ruth Lindsay, Crescent Books (January 27, 1992).

The Rodale Herb Book, edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. Emmaus, PA, 18049., 1974

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