Witnessed by: Western
Virginia snakeroot (Aristolochia serpentaria), of the Aristolochiaceae family. Small woodland perennial with heart-shaped leaves, a curious pipe-shaped brownish flower near the ground and a tangled fibrous root; native range: rich woods of the eastern and central United States. Globally recognized as Virginia snakeroot, serpentaria, snakeweed, pelican flower in English. The part used is root and rhizome. Tangled fibrous rootlets, camphoraceous and aromatic, warm and bitter with a turpentine-like scent.
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.
VIRGINIA SNAKEROOT
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Virginia snakeroot
- Scientific name
- Aristolochia serpentaria L.
- Family
- Aristolochiaceae
Form
- Part used
- root and rhizome
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- bitter · aromatic · pungent
Temperature
- Western
- warm
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- stomach · blood
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- aromatic bitter, stimulant, diaphoretic and tonic
Cautions
- Contraindications
- avoid in inflammatory, high fevers and in pregnancy
- Toxicity
- large doses cause nausea, griping and vomiting; the root contains aristolochic acid, nephrotoxic and carcinogenic, so internal use is now discouraged
- Sourcing status
- legally-restricted
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