Rhatany

Scientific Names

Krameria triandra L.
Krameriaceae

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Rhatany is a shrubby, leguminous, perennial plant that you are not likely to encounter unless you are wandering in the dry, gravely hills of Peru. The long, horizontal root produces a procumbent, branching stem with alternate, hoary, oblong to obovate leaves. Red flowers grow on short stalks and bloom all year.
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Where Found

Found in the dry, gravely hills of Peru.
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Medicinal Properties

Astringent, diuretic, styptic
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Uses

The root is a strong astringent used for diarrhea. Its styptic properties make it useful to stop internal and external bleeding. The root has been recommended, but to be used with care, for typhoid fever and for conditions involving inflammations of the alimentary system; enteritis, gastritis, proctitis.
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Formulas or Dosages

Infusion: steep 1 tsp. root in 1 cup hot water. Take 1 cup per day.

Powder: run water through powdered root until a red solution is obtained.

Tincture: a dose is from 5 to 20 drops.
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Bibliography

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

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