Trillium

Trillium erectum

American Ground Lily Bethroot Birthroot Coughroot Ground Lily Indian Balm Indian Shamrock Jew's-harp Plant Milk Ipecac Nodding Wakerobin Pariswort Red Trillium Snakebite Stinking Benjamin Three-leaved Nightshade Trillium Wake Robin Parts used Uses Habitat and cultivation Constituents How much to take Collection and harvesting Combinations

Trillium is a perennial that grows to about 16 inches in height, with three broad leaves and one solitary flower, either white, red, or yellow. Its rhizome is yellowish to reddish brown and about the size of a thumb.

Walking in woods in early spring, nature lovers will be tempted to pick the pretty, low-growing trillium. Indeed, its allure is echoed in another of its names, wake-robin, a reminder that the plant is one of nature's early spring offerings. Flower collectors should be warned, however: the plant is rare and threatened in some states. There is another reason for leaving it alone, easily discernible in the nickname stinking Benjamin. Some herbalists found that the plant's odor so much resembled the stench of decaying flesh that they made an ointment from the rhizomes and roots for the treatment of gangrene-on the basis of the once-respected doctrine of signatures, according to which a plant's characteristics indicated its corresponding effectiveness on the human body.

The name birthroot (trillium) describes the plant's chief medicinal use-to stop hemorrhaging. Specifically, a tea made from the rhizomes and roots was given to new mothers to stop bleeding after childbirth. By association, the tea was also given for uterine disorders. The Indians applied poultices and lotions from the bruised leaves to insect bites and skin irritations.

PARTS USED

Rhizome, root, leaf, flower.

USES

Trillium goes by several names. The origins of some, such as "bethroot" and "wake robin", are not well known. The word "trillium" is related to the word for "three" in Latin, Greek, and other languages, corresponding to the plant's three leaves. Perhaps "wake robin" comes from the red color of certain species, or perhaps because the flower blooms in spring when robins abound. The nickname" Stinking Benjamin" derives from the distinctive and unpleasant odor of the flower, which is likened to the smell of rotting meat. Whatever the plant's name, Native Americans from throughout the continent made tea from trillium or boiled the greens to eat. Trillium was also a charm to foretell love, to detect witchcraft, to protect the teeth, and give general good luck.

The name "birthroot" (trillium) signals the most famous use of this plant. Native Americans and European settlers in North America used trillium to help with the labor of childbirth. Other gynecologically related symptoms trillium was used to relieve included menstrual problems, sore nipples, and discomforts of menopause. Trillium is still employed for many of these same symptoms, as well as for bleeding associated with uterine fibroids. Trillium was also used internally for bowel complaints and externally for headaches, sunburn, acne, and boils. Trillium contains the saponin trillin, tannin, and some essential oil.

Trillium is a valuable remedy for heavy menstrual or intermenstrual bleeding, helping to reduce blood flow. Trillium is also used to treat bleeding associated with uterine fibroids. Trillium may also be taken for bleeding within the urinary tubules and, less often, for the coughing up of blood. Trillium remains a valuable herb in facilitating childbirth. A douche of trillium is useful for excessive vaginal discharge and yeast infections.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Native to North America, trillium grows in shady positions in woodlands. The rhizome is usually unearthed after the leaves have fallen in autumn.

CONSTITUENTS

Trillium contains saponins (such as trillin), tannin, resin, fixed oil, and a trace of volatile oil.

HOW MUCH TO TAKE

Decoction: pour a cup of water onto 1 - 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and simmer for 10 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
Tincture: take 1 - 4 ml of the tincture three times a day.

COLLECTION AND HARVESTING

The root and rhizome should be unearthed in late summer or early autumn.

COMBINATIONS

For excessive menstruation trillium may be combined with periwinkle or American cranesbill.