Fo Ti In Herbal Medicine

Other Common Names: Common Solomon's Seal, Eurasian Solomon's Seal, He-shou-wu, Polygonatum, Lady's Seals, St. Mary's Seal, Sigillum Sanctae Mariae, Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum multiflorum

Range: Europe, a native of Northern Europe and Siberia

Habitat: Woodland, usually on limestone. A very hardy plant. It prefers a light soil and a shady situation, being a native of woods.

Solomon's seal has been used for thousands of years in herbal medicine. It is used mainly in the form of a poultice and is believed to prevent excessive bruising and to stimulate tissue repair. The bruised roots were much used as a popular cure for black eyes, mixed with cream.

The root is astringent, demulcent, emetic and tonic. An infusion is healing and restorative, it is good in the treatment of stomach inflammations, piles and chronic dysentery. It is stated that a decoction will afford not only relief but ultimate cure in skin troubles caused by the poison vine, or poisonous exalations of other plants. It is used with other herbs in the treatment of pulmonary problems, including tuberculosis, and women's complaints. The powdered roots make an excellent poultice for bruises, piles, inflammation etc. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The plant should not be used internally except under professional supervision.

A distilled water made from the whole plant has been used as a skin tonic and is an ingredient of expensive cosmetics.

The dried powdered roots and flowers have been used as a snuff to promote sneezing and thus clear the bronchial passages.

Root - cooked. Rich in starch. The root should be macerated for some time in water in order to remove bitter substances. Normally only used in times of famine, the root was powdered and then made into a bread by the North American Indians.

Known Hazards: Large quantities of the fruits are poisonous.

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