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Asarabacca

Botanical: Asarum Europaeum (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Aristolochiaceae

Synonyms: Hazelwort. Wild Nard.
Part Used: Root and Herb.

Asarabacca is the only British species of the Birthwort family (and perhaps not indigenous). It is a curious plant consisting of a very short fleshy stem, bearing two large, dark-green, kidney-shaped evergreen leaves, and a solitary purplish-green drooping flower.

Found in woods and very rare. Flowering in May - Perennial.

The herbs belonging to this order are chiefly plants or shrubs of a tropical habitat, very abundant in South America; but rare elsewhere.

Medicinal Action and Uses
Tonic and stimulant, sometimes acrid or aromatic. The dried and powdered leaves of Asarabacca (Asarum Europaeum) are used in the preparation of cephalic snuffs, exciting sneezing and giving relief to headache and weak eyes.

Mixed with Ribwort, this herb is used to remove mucous from the respiratory passages.

Virginian Snake-root (Aristolochia serpentaria) and other allied species are used as antidotes to the bite of venomous snakes.

The juice extracted from a South American species is said to have the power of stupefying serpents if placed in their mouths; and African species are used by Egyptian jugglers for this purpose.

The British variety is said to be found wild in Westmorland and other places in the north of England.

Herb & Oils: Essential Oils || Angelica Root || Cumin || Elemi || Frankincense || Jasmine || Lantana || Lemongrass || Litsea Cubeba || Patchouli || Sandalwood Mysore || Tangerine || Acacia (false) || Adder's Tongue (American) || Agrimony || Agrimony (Water) || Amaranths || Anemone Pulsatilla || Anise || Aploppas || Arbutus, Trailing || Arrach (Halberd-Leaved) || Arrach (Wild) || Arrow Head || Artichoke, Globe || Asarabacca || Ash || Ash, Mountain || Asphodel || Bael || Balm || Balmony || Herbal Tea || Herbal Tea (Peppermint Tea)