Botanical Index No. 948

Snakeroot

aristolochia serpentaria

Medicinal Actions

Alterative, Analgesic, Anticonvulsant, Antiseptic, Cardiotonic, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Gastrotonic, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic

Primary Conditions Treated

Anaphrodisiac Aperitif Vermifuge Ague Amenorrhea Anorexia Biliousness Bite Breast Ache Cancer skin Chill Cold Convulsion Cough Dermatosis Dizziness Dyspepsia Enterosis Erysipelas Fever Fit Gastrosis Headache Leukemia Malaria Pain Pneumonia Rheumatism Rhinosis Smallpox Snakebite Sore Throat Stomachache Toothache Tumor Typhoid Typhus Water Retention Worm

Safety & Contraindications

2b, 3. Aristolochine can cause coma and death. FDA in 2000 banned import of plants containing the carcinogen, aristolochic acid). Potentially carcinogenic, hepatotoxic, and nephrotoxic. “Related species are potentially lethal to animals”. Alcohol extract of fruit may cause nausea, gastric discomfort, or mild diarrhea. Aristolochic acid in high doses can cause kidney damage and has shown carcinogenic and mutagenic effects in some animal studies.

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