Witnessed by: Western
Canada wild ginger (Asarum canadense), of the Aristolochiaceae family. Low, stemless perennial herb with paired kidney-shaped leaves and a creeping, jointed aromatic rhizome; native range: rich, shaded deciduous woodlands of eastern and central North America. Globally recognized as wild ginger · Canada snakeroot · Indian ginger · Canada asarum in English. The part used is rhizome and root. A slender greyish rootstock with a warm, spicy, ginger-like aroma and a pungent, aromatic, slightly bitter taste.
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.
CANADA WILD GINGER
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Canada wild ginger
- Scientific name
- Asarum canadense L.
- Family
- Aristolochiaceae
Form
- Part used
- rhizome and root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- pungent · aromatic
Temperature
- Western
- warm
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- aromatic stimulant, carminative, diaphoretic, expectorant and emmenagogue
Cautions
- Toxicity
- as a member of the Aristolochiaceae it contains aristolochic acid, which is nephrotoxic and carcinogenic; internal use is now discouraged on this account
- Sourcing status
- legally-restricted
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