Witnessed by: Western
Black root (Veronicastrum virginicum), of the Plantaginaceae (formerly Scrophulariaceae) family. Tall erect perennial with whorled leaves and slender white flower spikes; native range: moist prairies and open woods of eastern North America. Globally recognized as Culver's root; Culver's physic; Bowman's root; Leptandra in English. The part used is rhizome and root. Dark, hard root, bitter and nauseous in taste; more acrid and violent when fresh.
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.
BLACK ROOT
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- black root
- Scientific name
- Veronicastrum virginicum (L.) Farw.
- Family
- Plantaginaceae (formerly Scrophulariaceae)
Form
- Part used
- rhizome and root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- bitter · acrid
Temperature
- Western
- cool, drying
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- liver · bowels · stomach
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- cholagogue, hepatic, gentle laxative (dried), emetic and drastic cathartic (fresh), bitter tonic
Cautions
- Contraindications
- pregnancy, acute inflammatory bowel states; the fresh root is not to be used internally
- Toxicity
- the fresh root causes violent purging, vomiting and bloody stools; the dried root is far milder
This is the card. Sign in for the full four-tradition entry — the aligned TCM · Ayurveda · Western · Unani reading, actions, dosing and cautions.