Stoneroot

Botanical Name

Family Labiatae
Collinsonia canadensis

Common Names

Stone Root, Hardhack, Horseweed, Heal-all, Knob Grass, Knob Root, Richweed, Richleaf, Knobweed, Hardback

Cautions

Too much can irritate in lining of the intestinal tract, causing pain and nausea and sometimes dizziness.

Description

Native to the moist woodlands of North America, stoneroot is a perennial herb, growing to about three feet, having a square stem, oval leaves, and clusters of greenish-yellow flowers. The plant is strongly and unpleasantly aromatic and numbing in large amounts. The root is unearthed in autumn.

History

The rhizomes and dried roots have long been used to treat kidney and bladder problems and gastrointestinal disorders.

The Iroquois used the leaves in a poultice to relieve headaches while the Cherokee made a deoderant with the flowers.

Key Actions

diuretic
stomachic
tonic

Key Components

volatile oil
caffeic acid derivatives (including rosmaric acid)
tannins
saponins

Medicinal Parts

Root, leaves

Traditional Uses

It is used mainly in the treatment of kidney stones, calculi, urea, bladder inflammations, dropsy, and gastrointestinal disorders.

It is also prescribed for fluid retention and to alleviate PMS symptoms.

The fresh leaves or roots can be used in tonics and applied topically in poultices for bruises, cuts, and sores.

Homeopathic uses include hemorrhoids and constipation.

It has been used to reduce venous pressure which, in turn, helps prevent the formation or worsening of hemorrhoids and varicose veins.

As an astringent, it contracts the lining of the intestines, helpful in treating such digestive system disorders as irritable bowel syndrome and mucous colitis.