TRILLIUM

Latin Name: Trillium erectum

Alternate Names: Beth Root, Birth Root, Wake Robin, Stinking Benjamin, White Trillium

Family: LILIACEAE

Parts Used: Dried root, rhizome.

Properties: Alterative, Antihemorrhagic, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Emetic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Parturient, Uterine Tonic.

Internal Uses: Bloody Sputum, Catarrh, Diarrhea, Dysentery, Dysmenorrhea, Hemorrhage, Nosebleeds, Postpartum Hemorrhage, Threatened Miscarriage, Urinary Bleeding, Uterine Hemorrhage

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

It is used for hemorrhaging due to menses, menopause, uterine fibroids or postpartum difficulties.

Topical Uses: Gangrene, Leukorrhea, Nipple Soreness, Varicose Veins, Wounds, Yeast Infection

Topical Applications: Douche for leukorrhea and yeast infections. Poultice or compress for varicosities, gangrene, sore nipples and wounds.

Culinary uses: Native American peoples have cooked the root into food as an aphrodisiac.

Energetics: Pungent, Bitter, Warm.

Chemical Constituents: Steroidal saponins (diosgenin, trillarin), trilline, essential oil, tannins, resin.

Contraindications: Use only during pregnancy with advice from competent health practitioner. The flowers smell rancid and are pollinated by flies, so avoid planting by open windows. Trillium is becoming endangered. It takes seven years to grow just one flower. Do not purchase products made from wild plants.

Comments: The name Trillium is derived from Latin in reference to the 'three-ness' of the plant - three leaves, three petals, three sepals and three cells of the ovaries. Smelling the fresh roots was once used to stop nosebleeds.

This herb has been listed by United Plant Savers as an 'at risk' plant, so please avoid buying products harvested from the wild. Only use the cultivated herb.

The common name Trillium includes the species Trillium grandiflorum (White Trillium) and Trillium ovatum, which are used interchangeably with Trillium erectum.

-- Phil in KS (cshomestead@planetkc.com), April 05, 2002

Answers

If someone is using the roots for herbal reasons, my biggest questions would be: Are the roots the same for each species??

Trillium erectum is NOT the name for the large white trillium typically found in hordes in the east - its name is Trillium Grandiflora. I would say that the word "trillium" is used interchangeably enough, but when using for herbal purposes, I'd be sure you're diggin up the correct roots!

Trillium erectum refers specifically to the reddish/maroon plant often called red trillium; purple trillium; stinking Benjamin; squaw root; brown Beth; or birthroot.

-- heather (h.m.metheny@att.net), April 07, 2002.