False Unicorn

Chamaelirium luteum

Blazing Star Devil's Bit False Unicorn Helonias Root Parts used Uses Habitat and cultivation Research Constituents How much to take

False unicorn  or liatris was used in colonial times for medicinal purposes, but now is strictly an ornamental. Florists favor it when making cut flower arrangements for some of their customers because of its lovely lavender spikes of feathery flowers. Unlike most other spike flowers, this one is an exception to the rule and flowers from the top of the spike downward. The flower spikes may reach 2 feet or longer and can be either lavender or purple.

False unicorn has great medicinal use. False unicorn is used to treat  venereal disease, especially gonorrhea. A small piece of the root is cleaned, finely chopped and simmered in 3 cups boiling water for 20 minutes. After the liquid has sufficiently cooled, it is then strained and used both as a vaginal douche and wash to get rid of this infection.

Sore throats are quite common during cold and flu seasons. But sometimes they can get so bad that the breath develops an offensive smell. To eliminate this problem, just gargle with some tea made from false unicorn  root every hour, according to the previous instructions.

False unicorn root is another herb inherited from the Native American tradition. False unicorn contains hormone-like saponins which partly account for its long tradition as an excellent ovarian and uterine tonic. False unicorn was used specifically for uterine weakness and over-relaxation, characterized by a dragging sensation, a feeling of downward pressure in the pelvis, often associated with irritability and depression. False unicorn has also been used to encourage fertility in women and treat impotence in men. False unicorn has an adaptogenic or balancing effect on sex hormones, helping to relieve many disorders of the reproductive tract, menstrual irregularities and premenstrual syndrome, which are related to hormonal imbalance. False unicorn improves the secretory responses and cyclical functions of the ovary and has been used in infertility caused by dysfunction in follicular formation in the ovary.

The bitter principle has a tonic effect on the liver and digestive tract, which benefits appetite and digestion and helps to relieve nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. False unicorn root has also been used to prevent threatened miscarriage and to stop hemorrhage.

PARTS USED

Root.

USES

Traditional remedy - False unicorn is a traditional Native North American remedy. There is some confusion about its use since a number of other herbs have shared the same name or had similar names. It is thought that false unicorn was used by Native Americans mainly as a woman's herb, but it may also have been the remedy taken by the Arkansas people for wounds and ulcers. The root was listed as a uterine tonic and a diuretic in the US National Formulary from 1916 to 1947.
Modern gynecological herb - Today, false unicorn is valued by Western medical herbalists as a key remedy for conditions affecting the uterus and the ovaries. False unicorn seems to have a "normalizing" effect on the female reproductive system, encouraging a regular menstrual cycle, and it is given to women with irregular or absent periods. False unicorn also encourages the ovaries to release their hormones at the right point in the month. It can take some months, however, for the herb to have a significant effect on the cycle. In addition, false unicorn is used to treat endometriosis, uterine infections, ovarian cysts, and menopausal symptoms.
Additional uses - False unicorn is a tonic for digestive and genitourinary conditions.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Native to North America, false unicorn grows in low, moist, well-drained ground east of the Mississippi River. False unicorn is generally harvested from the wild and is rarely cultivated. False unicorn can, however, be propagated from seed that is sown in autumn. False unicorn flowers in early summer and the root is dug up in autumn.

RESEARCH

Lack of investigation - The experience of Western herbalists shows false unicorn to be a valuable medicine for menstrual and uterine problems. The presence of steroidal saponins, which stimulate the uterus, indicates that claims for false unicorn's helping gynecological problems could well be substantiated. However, virtually no research has taken place. One can only wonder why herbs such as ginseng (Panax ginseng), which also contain steroidal saponins, have been extensively researched and false unicorn has not. Could it be because the former mainly affect the male rather than the female reproductive system? False unicorn is an herb that urgently needs to be researched.

CONSTITUENTS

- Steroidal saponins (up to 9%)
- Glycosides (chamaelirin, helonin)

HOW MUCH TO TAKE

Decoction: put 1 - 2 teaspoonfuls of the root in a cup of water, bring to the boil and simmer gently for 10 - 15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. For threatened miscarriage it may be drunk copiously.
Tincture: take 2 - 4 ml of the tincture three times a day.