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 Snakeroot Essential
Oil ProfileSnakeroot is native to the forests of eastern North America. It is found from the Great Plains east to the Atlantic Coast, and from southeastern Canada south to approximately the fall line in the southeastern United States. The plant is also called wild ginger because the rhizome tastes and smells similar to that of ginger root, but the two are not particularly related. The root can be used as a spice, but is a potent diuretic, or urinary stimulant. Asarum canadense and other species in the genus contain the chemical aristolochic acid, which is carcinogenic in rats. The birthwort family also contains the Aristolochia genus. Aristolochia is a human carcinogen. The deciduous, heart-shaped leaves are opposite, and borne from the rhizome which lies just under the soil surface. Two leaves emerge each year from the growing tip. The curious jug-shaped flowers, which give the plant an alternate name, little jug, are borne singly in Spring between the leaf bases. |
| Botanical Name: | Asarum canadense L. |
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| Family: | Aristolochiaceae |
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| Synonyms: | Wild ginger, Indian ginger, Canadian snakeroot, black snakeroot, Canadian wildginger |
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| See Also: | |
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| Parts Used: | Dried and crushed rhizomes and roots |
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| Extraction Method: | Steam Distillation. |
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| Colour: | Brownish yellow to amber |
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| Consistency: | Medium |
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| Aroma Description: | Rich, warm, woody, spicy ginger-like |
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| Historical Uses: | Traditionally used in folk medicine for chronic chest complaints, dropsy, rheumatism, nettle rash and poison ivy. |
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| Modern Uses: | Possible use for painful periods and indigestion, some use in perfumery. Used mostly as a flavouring especially in confectionery. |
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| Cautions: | Non toxic, non irritating, non sensitizing, avoid during pregnancy. |
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| Aromatherapy Uses: |
Digestive System - Indigestion.
Female Reproductive System - Painful periods.
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| Physical Actions |
| Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, stimulant, stomachic. |
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| Toxicity |
LD50 - (oral) rat 4.48g/kg; (dermal) rabbit >not known.
Irritation/Sensitisation - Not available
Phototoxicity - Not available
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