Coral Root

Parts Usually Used

Rootstock

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Coral root is a native American, perennial plant; this singular, leafless plant has a collection of small, fleshy tubers as roots; the dark brown, branched, toothed, coral-like underground rootstocks send up simple scapes with sheaths instead of leaves; the coral-like stalk is pale yellow with a covering of a sort of sticky wool and scales, answering for leaves, and with terminal racemes of 3-20 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. Flowering time is August to October. The fruit is a large oblong capsule. The plant grows 10-20 inches high and depends on roots of trees and the rich soil of the woods for survival; it has a strong nitrous smell, and mucilaginous slightly bitter, astringent taste.

Where Found

It grows around the roots of trees in dry woodlands from Maine to Minnesota and south to Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Missouri.

Medicinal Properties

Diaphoretic, febrifuge, sedative

Legends, Myths and Stories

Coral roots are a brownish, chlorophyll-lacking group of orchids, found growing on leaf mold in rich woods throughout the United States. It takes a careful eye to find them. Its scarcity and high price have prevented its general use.

Uses

Historically, herbalists utilized this plant for skin complaints, boils, cramps, pleurisy, night sweats, and varicose veins, often applying cloths soaked in the tea externally. It was also administered for fevers and general inflammatory conditions. Traditional practitioners sometimes combined it with blue cohosh for scanty or painful menstruation, or recommended the tea in the evening for sleeplessness.

Additionally, Native American traditions employed the preparation as a blood thinner.

How Sold

Available in a tincture; directions on the label.

Bibliography

, Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994 The Herb Book , by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974. Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants , by Steven Foster and James A. , Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. , Copyright 1988, published 1992 Indian Herbalogy of North America , by Alma R. , 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023