Aletris Farinosa

	Other Names: Star grass, Colic root, True Unicorn Root, Ague Root Aletris pictures by Karen Bergeron Copyright 2006. Permission required to use any herb pictures from this site. High Resolution Herb Stock Photos click here   Free Herb Pictures for web sites, click here	`
	Aletris Herb Uses and Medicinal Properties Aletris is used for “Female Complaints”, tones the uterus, anodyne, calms stomach, may have narcotic properties. Avoid use in pregnancy and when breastfeeding. No known interactions or contraindications, but may have estrogenic properties and should be avoided when estrogen is contra-indicated. Chemical Constituents - Alkaloids, Diosgenin, Saponin From DUKE1992A: Duke, James A. 1992. Handbook of phytochemical constituents of GRAS herbs and other economic plants. Boca Raton, FL. CRC Press.  James Duke's Plants Database

Habitat and Description

How to Grow Aletris Farinosa

Aletris can be grown from root divisions and in my opinion is a good candidate for “plant rescues”. Serious attempts at cultivation are needed if this plant is to be sustainable for medicinal use. It is slow growing and little cultivation information is available.

It is reported to take two years in a greenhouse from seed, one grower said it died as soon as he transplanted it to the outdoors. Frankly that is the only person I found who reported anything about growing this plant. That does not mean it cannot be propagated. If you have information on sources of cultivated Aletris Farinosa root cuttings, please email karen@altnature.com.

Seed Germination Database - Perennials  says "Sow at 20ºC (68ºF), germinates in less than two weeks".

Click here for Aletris Seed

Listed by United Plant Savers as “At Risk” “Possibly unsustainable due to habitat destruction.” Dilemmas of Traditional Botanical Research HerbalGram and the Botanical Medicine Academy

History and Folklore

Keeps evil at bay when sprinkled around home or worn as sachet
Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs

The scientific name is from the Greek word Aletris "a female slave who grinds corn" and farinosa "mealy".
Wildflowers of Tennessee, the Ohio Vallery and Southern Appalachians - Dennis Horn

Recipe

 Please find a suitable alternative until this plant can be successfully cultivated.

Sources

Books

Wildflowers of Tennessee, the Ohio Vallery and Southern Appalachians - Dennis Horn

Indian Herbology of North America - Alma Hutchens Out of Print, used copies on Amazon.com

PDR of Herbal Medicines

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs

The Herb Book by John Lust
Covers almost 500 medicinal plants, including many native species, as well as recipes for many herbal concoctions. A wealth of information in an inexpensive paperback edition.

Web sites used for Research, visit them for more information about Aletris Farinosa

Henriette's Herbal - Aletris
The "First Lady of Herbs on the Internet" has tons of herbal information and photos on her web site.

Deb Jackson’s Nature’s Herbal Site
http://www.naturesherbal.com/Aletris.htm

 United Plant Savers

Aletris - Drugs.com
Includes information from a medical standpoint, uses, contraindications, chemical constituents

Photos by Karen Bergeron Copyright 2002 2007  Article Copyright 2007 by Karen Bergeron

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