Beth Root

( Western Herb )

LATIN NAME:

Trillium erectum

Beth root is also known as American ground lily, Ground lily, Indian balm, Red trillium, Cough root, Milk ipecac, Birth root, Snakebite, Wake robin, Paris wort, and Stinking Benjamin.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

Beth root is a perennial plant that rarely exceeds 15 inches in height.

It has bare stems with 3 triangle leaves at the top. In spring (May and June) a single yellow-white to reddish-white, unpleasantly scented flower appears above the leaves.

The flower grows on a short stem in the center of the whorl of leaves. The flower has 3 petals and 3 sepals. The fruit is a pink or red 3 or 6 angled berry that matures in late summer, falls to the ground and splits open, exposing the seeds.

This herb has the faint fragrance of turpentine and looks similar to the Ginseng root. It has a strange sweet astringent taste when it is first chewed, then quickly becomes bitter and acid, causing salivation. Beth root grows in the damp, shady woodlands of central and eastern North America.

The root contains a natural precursor of the female sex hormone. The Native American Indians used it to lesson the pain and difficulty during childbirth.

TARGET AILMENT:

Take internally for:

* inducing labor (childbirth)

* gastro-intestinal bleeding

* diarrhea

* dysentery

* reducing coughs

* reducing bronchial symptoms

* treating hemorrhages of all types

* controlling unusually heavy menstrual flow

Use externally for:

* insect bites and stings

* snakebites

* wounds

* skin irritation

* inflammations

* external ulcers

PREPARATION AND DOSAGE:

Over the counter: Beth root is available in whole, cut, or powdered form and as a tincture in health food stores. It is also an ingredient in many products.

Tincture: Take ¼ to ½ teaspoon three times a day, or use recommendation on container.

Salve: Follow directions on container.

At home:

Infusion: Pour one cup of water onto q to 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and simmer for 10 minutes. Drink this three times a day.

Decoction: Mix one teaspoon of root with one cup of milk or water. Drink this hot or cold just before you go to bed.

Parts used: Dried rhizome and root

Collection: The root and the rhizome are unearthed in late summer or early Fall.

Constituents: Saponin diosgenin, cortisone, Vitamin D, cardiac glycosides, tannin

Actions: Antiseptic, astringent, diaphoretic, expectorant, tonic, alternative, oxytocic, pectoral, emmenagogue

Combinations: can be combined with Periwinkle or American Cranesbill to treat excessive menstruation.

SIDE EFFECTS:

Not serious:

* This herb is safe when taken in recommended doses.

* This herb is a uterine stimulant so it should used by pregnant women, except only during labor.