Medicinal Plants : Corallorhiza odontorhiza

Name

Coral root

Biological Name

Corallorhiza odontorhiza

Other Names

Coral root, Chicken's toes, crawley, dragon's claw, fever root, scaly dragon's claw, turkey claw

Parts Used

Roots

Remedies For

Diaphoretic, febrifuge, sedative.

Coral root is an effective remedy for fevers, cramps, and skin diseases. Because of its relative scarcity, it is often combined with other herbs. The tea can be used internally or externally. For insomnia, take the tea before going to bed.

Description

Coral root is a native American, perennial plant that grows around the roots of trees in dry woodlands in the USA. The dark brown, branched, toothed, coral-like underground rootstocks send up simple scapes with sheaths instead of leaves and with terminal racemes of 3 to 20 flowers. The hood-like flowers are reddish or purplish on the outside, paler and flecked with purple lines on the inside. One petal forms a white lip with purple spots and a purple rim. Flowers appear from August to October.

Dosage

Infusion: Steep 1 tsp. rootstock in 1 cup water. Take hot or cold, 1 to 2 cups a day.

Tincture: Take 10 to 20 drops at a time.

Safety

No information available. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician before starting on any herb.