Witnessed by: Western
True unicorn root (Aletris farinosa), of the Nartheciaceae family. Grass-like perennial with a basal star of leaves and a slender spike of mealy white flowers; native range: sandy woods and meadows of eastern North America. Globally recognized as colic root, star grass, ague root, mealy starwort in English. The part used is rhizome and root. Small knotty root, intensely and persistently bitter.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
TRUE UNICORN ROOT
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- true unicorn root
- Scientific name
- Aletris farinosa L.
- Family
- Nartheciaceae
Form
- Part used
- rhizome and root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- bitter
Temperature
- Western
- cool
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- stomach · digestion · uterus
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- bitter tonic, digestive stomachic, uterine tonic, antispasmodic; the fresh root is emetic and narcotic
Cautions
- Contraindications
- pregnancy; the fresh root should not be used
- Toxicity
- the fresh or large-dosed root causes nausea, vomiting, vertigo and purging
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