EBP/Cooperative/Asarum canadense

Asarum canadense edit

  • Common names: Canadian wild ginger, Canada wild ginger, wild ginger, snakeroot, broad-leafed asarabaccais, asarabaccais
  • Names used by indigenous peoples: namepin, namepiniig (Anishinabe)
  • Wikipedia: Asarum canadense
  • Wikispecies: Asarum canadense

Medicinal uses edit

Whole plant/unspecified edit

  • For colds: Used by the Abenaki tribe in a decoction with another unspecified herb.[1]
  • For coughs: Used by the Abenaki tribe in an unspecified treatment.[1]
  • To cause abortion (abortifacient): Used by the Cherokee people in an infusion.[1]
  • For scant/painful menstruation, to start a period: Used by the Cherokee people in an infusion.[1]
  • To induce vomiting for stomach pain (analgesic/emetic): Used by the Cherokee in a decoction.[1]
  • For diarrhea: Infusion taken by the Cherokee.[1]
  • For swollen breasts: An infusion of the whole plant was used by the Cherokee in an external wash, as well as an internal tea.[1]
  • To reduce fevers (febrifuge): Taken in an unspecified treatment, especially for typhus fever, by the Cherokee. Infusion also used by the Iroquois in wash.[1]
  • As digestive aid: Taken in an unspecified treatment by the Cherokee.
  • As a sedative: Used by the Cherokee for "nervous hysterics"; used by the Iroquois to calm crying babies.[1]
  • For headaches: Used in an infusion by the Iroquois for "long-lasting" headaches.[1]
  • For boils: Used in an unspecified compound preparation by the Iroquois.[1]
  • To improve appetite: Decoction taken by the Iroquois.[1]
  • To treat laziness (stimulant): Part of a compound preparation used by the Iroquois.[1]
  • For sore throat: Poultice used externally on the throat by the Iroquois. Used in an unspecified treatment by the Meskwaki.[1]
  • For venereal disease: Compound decoction with other herbs used by the Iroquois.[1]
  • For lung problems: Compound preparation used by the Meskwaki.[1]
  • As panacea: Used for general medicinal purposes by the Innu.[1]

Root edit

  • As anticonvulsive: Used by the Algonquian peoples in an infusion for infant convulsions.[1]
  • For colds: Used in an unspecified treatment by the Cherokee and in an infusion by the Iroquois.[1]
  • For cough: Used in an unspecified treatment by the Cherokee and in a decoction by the Iroquois.[1]
  • To reduce fevers (febrifuge): Used by the Algonquian peoples and Iroquois in an infusion.[1]
  • For fevers accompanied by headache and/or convulsions: Cold infusion used by the Iroquois for children who had a fever accompanied by a headache and/or convulsions.[1]
  • To induce sweating (diaphoretic) to break a fever: Decoction or infusion taken cold by the Iroquois.[1]
  • As stimulant: Used by the Cherokee as a "powerful" stimulant in an unspecified manner.[1]
  • For worms: Used by the Cherokee in an unspecified treatment.[1]
  • As blood tonic: Used by the Cherokee in a compound infusion with other unspecified herbs.[1]
  • As spring tonic: Used by the Iroquois as a spring tonic for the elderly.[1]
  • For heart problems: Used by the Cherokee for general heart problems; "to strengthen the heart".[1]
  • To strengthen the action of other herbs (adjuvant): Used by the Anishinabe and the Iroquois combined with unspecified other herbs.[1]
  • To reduce inflammation (anti-inflammatory): Poultice of chopped roots used by the Anishinabe.[1]
  • For bruises and scrapes: Used in unspecified treatment by the Anishinabe.[1]
  • To aid digestion: Chopped root cooked with other foods to increase their digestibility by the Anishinabe. Taken in a decoction or eaten whole "to protect a weak stomach" by the Menominee.[1][2]
  • For broken bones: Chopped root combined with other unspecified herbs in a compound poultice by the Anishinabe.[1]
  • For scarlet fever: Decoction taken by the Iroquois.[1]
  • For typhoid: Infusion used by the Iroquois.[1]
  • For measles: Decoction taken by the Iroquois.[1]
  • For asthma: Infusion drunk by the Iroquois.[1]
  • For tuberculosis: Infusion of roots with other unspecified herbs used by the Iroquois.[1]
  • For urinary troubles: Decoction of roots used for urine stoppage and other disorders by the Iroquois.[1]
  • For stomach cramps: Infusion of small roots given to children by the Maliseet. Compound preparation given to adults and children by the Meskwaki. Used in an unspecified preparation by the Mi'kmaq.[1]
  • For earaches: Root pieces cooked and placed in ear by the Meskwaki.[1]
  • To calm vomiting: Used in an unspecified treatment by the Potawatomi to ease vomiting and induce the appetite of the sick.[1]

Leaves edit

  • For sores/open wounds: Fresh leaves applied directly to the wounds or made into a salve by the Cherokee.[1]
  • For head and eyes: Dried and used by the Cherokee as a snuff for general ailments.[1]

Spiritual uses edit

Whole plant/unspecified edit

  • To prevent bad dreams: Infusion taken by the Iroquois to prevent bad dreams, specifically those caused by the dead.[1]
  • To cleanse ghost contamination: Infusion or decoction used by the Iroquois used as a wash to cleanse those contaminated by ghosts.[1]
  • To make one fit to visit the sick: Decoction used to cleanse or purify someone to make them fit to visit the sick by the Iroquois. [1]
  • To detect and protect from witchcraft: Used in many ways to detect and protect people from witchcraft by the Iroquois.

Veterinary uses edit

Whole plant/unspecified edit

  • For coughs, heaves, and similar problems in horses: A compound decoction was given to horses by the Iroquois.[1]
  • To treat horses "sick from not being used: Decoction mixed with whiskey given to horses by the Iroquois.[1]

Food uses edit

Root edit

Other uses edit

Root edit

  • To attract catfish: The root was chewed and the spittle produced rubbed on bait to allow fisherman to catch catfish by the Meskwaki.[1]
  • To perfume clothing: The root was roasted and powdered, then sprinkled on clothing to perfume it by the Anishinabe.[1]

Chemical actions and constituents edit

References edit

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.32 1.33 1.34 1.35 1.36 1.37 1.38 1.39 1.40 1.41 1.42 1.43 1.44 1.45 1.46 1.47 1.48 1.49 1.50 1.51 1.52 1.53 1.54 1.55 http://herb.umd.umich.edu/
  2. Plants Used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa by the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, ISBN 0-9665820-1-2