Medicinal Plants : Senecio aureus

Name

Life Root

Biological Name

Senecio aureus
Compositae

Other Names

Life Root, Squaw Weed, Golden Sececio, ragwort, uncum root, waw weed, uncum, false valerian, cough weed, female regulator, cocash weed, ragweed, staggerwort, St. James wort

Parts Used

Dried aerial parts. Never use the fresh plant.

Active Compounds:

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids; florosenine, otosenine, floridanine.

Eremophilane sesquiterpenes, such as trans-9-oxofuranoeremophilane- 8x-ethoxy-l0x-H-eremophilane, caccalol.

Remedies For

Uterine tonic, diuretic, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, emmenagogue, diaphoretic, febrifuge, pectoral.

As a uterine tonic, Life Root may be used safely wherever strengthening and aid are called for. Useful for menopausal disturbances of any kind. Also useful for delayed or suppressed menstruation. For leucorrhoea it can be used as a douche. It has a reputation as a general tonic for debilitated states and conditions such as tuberculosis.

Combinations : For menopausal problems Life root may usefully be combined with St. Johns Wort, Oats or Pasque Flower.

Description

Found in Europe and N. America.

Dosage

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l-3 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.

Tincture: l-4 ml of the tincture 3 times a day.

Safety

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