Witnessed by: Western
Yellow lady's slipper (Cypripedium pubescens), of the Orchidaceae family. Woodland orchid with pleated leaves and a pouched yellow flower; native range: woods and moist thickets of North America. Globally recognized as nerve root, American valerian, moccasin flower in English. The part used is root and rhizome. Root bitter and faintly aromatic, slightly acrid, the fresh plant able to raise a rash on the skin.
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.
YELLOW LADY'S SLIPPER
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- yellow lady's slipper
- Scientific name
- Cypripedium pubescens Willd.
- Family
- Orchidaceae
Form
- Part used
- root and rhizome
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- bitter · aromatic
Temperature
- Western
- neutral
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- nervous system
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- nervine, antispasmodic, mild sedative, hypnotic
Cautions
- Contraindications
- avoid unnecessary use given the plant's endangered status; fresh root may cause contact dermatitis
- Toxicity
- large doses reported to cause restlessness, giddiness and hallucination
- Sourcing status
- cites-ii
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