Effect:
anti-inflammatory, pain relieving
Areas of application:
Sore throat, oral irritation, cough, regulates menstrual cycle, menstrual cramps, stomach pain, wounds, abrasions, rashes, cuts, burns, insect bites, stops bleeding from skin wounds, arthritis
Plant parts used:
root, leaves
Collection time:
Autumn
To find:
In moist forests, grows in North America at altitudes up to 2700 meters.
Ingredients:
?
Miscellaneous:
False Solomon's seal grows up to 90 cm high and grows from underground rhizomes. It forms single, unbranched, arching stems with large leaves. The leaves are up to 15 cm long and half as wide. They have smooth edges and parallel veins. The stem is green, slightly hairy and ends in a cluster of feathery white flowers when it is in bloom. Each flower consists of 6 bracts, 6 stamens, a pistil and a short style. The small star-shaped flowers appear in mid-spring. The flowers produce round, green fruits that turn red or red-purple stripes when ripe. Each berry contains a few seeds.
In the kitchen, the young shoots can be simmered in water and eaten as long as they are tender and stripped of their leaves. The smell is vaguely reminiscent of asparagus.
Smilacina racemosa is poisonous - please do not consume it.