Squaw Vine

Parts Usually Used

Leaves

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Squaw vine is a perennial, evergreen herb; its creeping or trailing stems grow up to a foot long, rooting at various points, and bear opposite, orbicular-ovate (heart-shaped 1/2 to 3/4 inches long) leaves that are dark green and shining on top and are often streaked with white. The funnel-shaped white (or pink) flowers, 1/2 inch long, grow in four-parted, terminal pairs from April to July.

The inner lobes of the trumpet-shaped, paired flowers are hairy. The fruit is scarlet berry-like drupe up to 1/3 inch in diameter in the fall. Each flower produces this single dry berry usually contains 8 bony seeds that lasts over the winter.

Where Found

Found around the bottoms of trees and stumps in woodlands from Nova Scotia to Ontario and southward to Florida and Texas. Also found in Guatemala.

Medicinal Properties

Astringent, diuretic, tonic, restorative, uterine stimulant, parturient

Uses

Historically, Native American and folk traditions employed squaw vine for delayed, irregular, or painful menstruation. Herbalists utilized it as a diuretic for urinary complaints and gravel, as well as an astringent for diarrhea, dysentery, and hemorrhoids. Externally, teas brewed from the plant were applied as washes for sore eyes, skin conditions, swellings, hives, arthritis, and rheumatism.

Additionally, certain Native American traditions prepared the tea for sleeplessness or consumed it as a spring tonic.

Bibliography

, Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994 The Herbalist Almanac , by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1988, fifth printing, 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 The Complete Medicinal Herbal , by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993 Indian Herbalogy of North America , by Alma R. , 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023 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.

The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature’s Miracle Plants (An Organic gardening and farming book) , edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. , 1974