The Medicinal Herb Info site was created to help educate visitors about the often forgotten wisdom of the old ways of treating illnesses. Many of today's drugs and medicines were originally derived from natural ingredients, combinations of plants and other items found in nature.

We are not suggesting that you ignore the help of trained medical professionals, simply that you have additional options available for treating illnesses. Often the most effective treatment involves a responsible blend of both modern and traditional treatments.

We wish you peace and health!

Stillingia

Scientific Names

Stillingia

  • Stillingia sylvatica L.
  • Euphorbiaceae

Common Names

  • Cockup hat
  • Marcory
  • Queen’s delight
  • Queen’s root
  • Silver leaf
  • Yaw root

Back to Top


Parts Usually Used

Root
Back to Top


Stillingia

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Stillingia is a perennial plant; its stem grows 2-4 feet high, contains an acrid milky juice and bears alternate, sessile leaves that have a somewhat leathery texture. The yellow, petalless flowers grow in a terminal spike with the female flowers at the base. The fruit is a 3 lobed capsule.
Back to Top


Where Found

Native of the pine barrens and sandy soils of the southern states of the United States.
Back to Top


Medicinal Properties

Alterative, astringent, cathartic, diuretic, emetic
Back to Top


Biochemical Information

Stillingine, which is an alkaloid; gum, starch, both a fixed and volatile oil and coloring matter
Back to Top


Uses

A decoction of the root once was used to treat obstinate skin problems and help clear up ulcerations and pain after mercurial treatment for syphilis. Treats chronic laryngeal and bronchial inflammations, leucorrhea, chronic coughs, rheumatism, and chronic liver affections. In large doses, stillingia causes vomiting and diarrhea.
Back to Top


Formulas or Dosages

Use dried, but not more than 2 year old, rootstock.

Decoction: boil 1 tsp. dried rootstock in 1 cup water. Take 1 cup per day, a mouthful at a time.

Tincture: a dose is from 5 to 20 drops.
Back to Top


Warning

Taken internally, the acrid constituents of the fresh plant can cause irritation and symptoms of poisoning.
Back to Top


Bibliography

Buy It! American Folk Medicine, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1973

Buy It! The Herb Book, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.

Buy It! Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973

Buy It! The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988.

Buy It! Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992

Back to Top

Share