Witnessed by: Western
Pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellata), of the Ericaceae family. Low evergreen undershrub with whorled leathery toothed leaves and nodding pink flowers; native range: dry coniferous woods of North America, northern Europe and Asia. Globally recognized as pipsissewa, prince's pine, ground holly, wintergreen in English. The part used is leaves (whole herb). Glossy dark evergreen leaves, astringent and bitterish with a sweetish after-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.
PIPSISSEWA
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- pipsissewa
- Scientific name
- Chimaphila umbellata (L.) W.P.C.Barton
- Family
- Ericaceae
Form
- Part used
- leaves (whole herb)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- astringent · bitter
Temperature
- Western
- cool
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- kidneys · bladder · skin
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- diuretic, astringent, alterative, tonic; mildly antiseptic to the urinary passages
Cautions
- Contraindications
- none of note at customary dose
- Toxicity
- low toxicity; the fresh bruised leaf may redden and blister the skin
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