PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS ALETRIS/11

Agrostemma githago

See Corn Cockle

Ailanthus altissima

See Tree of Heaven

Ajuga chamaepitys

See Ground Pine

Ajuga reptans

See Bugle

Akebia quinata

%>• See Chocolate Vine (Mu-Tong)

Alcea rosea

See Hollyhock

Alchemilla vulgaris

See Lady's Mantle

Alchornea floribunda

See Iporuru

Aletris

Aletris farinosa

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the dried Aletris

farinosa rhizome with roots. Fresh underground parts dug up

after flowering are also used.

Flower and Fruit: The plant has numerous white, tubular-

oblong, campanulate flowers. The flowers, with a few small

bracts, are in terminal, spike-like racemes on stalks that

reach up to 1 m. The perianth is tubular, covered in scales

and shrinks when ripe. Later, the perianth springs open in a

beak shape. The fruit is an ovoid capsule containing many

oblong ribbed seeds.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The leaves are erect-oblong,

lanceolate and 2 to 20 cm long. The rhizome is brownish-

gray, flattened and has a diameter of up to 1 cm, but usually

measures less. The upper part is covered in leaf bases and

stem scars. The fracture is floury and white.

Characteristics: The plant has a sweet taste, becoming bitter

and soapy. The odor is mild.

Habitat: The plant is found in the northeast U.S., south to

Gulf of Mexico, southern Canada.

Production: Aletris root is the rhizome of Aletris farinosa. It

is gathered in the wild and air-dried in the shade.

Other Names: Star Grass, Colic-Root, 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

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Saponins

Volatile oil

Resins

Bitter principles

Starch

EFFECTS

The active agents increase motility and act as a tonic. There

may be an estrogenic principle but a possible estrogenic

effect has not been sufficiently researched.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: In the U.S., the plant is used for gynecologi-

cal disorders or "female complaints," in particular dysme-

norrhea, amenorrhea and complaints associated with

prolapses vaginae.

Preparations of Aletris are also used for loss of appetite,

venous dyspepsia, flatulence and nervous digestive com-

plaints. In Argentina, it is used to treat chronic bronchitis.

Homeopathic Uses: Prolapsed uterus, gastrointestinal

complaints.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.