Wednesday, August 8, 2018

SOLOMON'S SEAL







SOLOMON’S SEAL –Polygonatum Officinale, Polygonatum Biflorum, Smilacena Racemosa, etc.

Also known as: dropberry, seal root, sealwort, lady’s seal, St. Mary’s seal, King Solomon’s seal, sow’s teats,  etc.

Parts used: root

Systems/organs affected: lungs, stomach, musculoskeletal, kidneys, cardiac, reproductive (both sexes), skin, gastrointestinal

Properties: nutritive, diaphoretic, yin-chi tonic, expectorant, astringent, mucilaginous, anti-periodic, diuretic, sedative, analgesic, dermatological, vulnerary, adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, etc.

          Solomon’s Seal is a member of the Asparagaceae (Monocots-Asparagus) family.  There are about 74 varieties of this species.  This series of plants was once placed in the Lily family but has since been placed into a family of their own.  It is a single stem perennial that arcs slightly and has broad, ovately shaped leaves that run along the length of the stem.  The flowers are small and tubular and dangle from the leaf axils in clusters of two to seven.  The flowers are a yellow-green to white and bloom from April to June.  It has a creeping root stock that is twisted and knotty with circular scars left by the leaf stems former years (each year that passes a new one is formed-this is also how one can tell how old the plant is).  The stems can get up to 2 feet tall.  The flowers are replaced by blue black pea sized berries that are said to be poisonous.  It is native to North America, Europe and Asia.  It loves wooded areas, roadsides and shady places.  Its name is actually derived from the root as the broken stem resembles the Star of David (also known as Solomon’s Seal).  Polygonatum is actually Greek in origin and roughly translated means ‘many knees’, referring to the multiple joints in the root.

This plant is steeped in ancient history (literally).  While modern medicine would classify it as a poisonous and invasive weed (in some states it is on the invasive species list but it is also close to the endangered list which I find ironic), history paints an entirely different picture.  Taoist monks consumed the young shoots much like asparagus and it was considered a plant often looked to when the winters were harsh and famine was abundant.  Native Americans also consumed them in much the same way.  Several Asian countries consume the root, leaves and stem, both raw and cooked.  They also use the root to make tea and alcoholic beverages, the roots are fried with honey and sugar for a sweet treat and the root was also dried and ground into flour for food staples.  It is a valuable food to them as well, especially in times of famine.  Here in this country the root is eaten like potatoes and also made into flour for breads. 

Solomon’s Seal is believed to have magical/mystical attributes.  History speaks of it helping one to be more decisive and break bad habits.  It was often used in love potions to enhance a couples commitment to one another.  It was considered a ‘seal’ or promise of love and devotion.  Incense made from the plant was used to keep evil spirits away and to dispel negative thoughts and emotions.  Conversely it was used to summon elementals and/or helpful entities.  The root was worn to increase one’s wisdom and to keep bad spirits at bay.  It was used during rituals celebrating the Autumnal Equinox.



The medicinal applications are no less interesting.  In Galen’s time (130-200 AD) the infusion was used as a cosmetic.  This appears to have traversed the centuries as it is still used in that capacity today (also contains allatoin which is in comfrey and aloe).  Culpeper said that Solomon’s Seal is a plant of Saturn, ‘for he loves his bones well.’ He stated that:

Solomon’s Seal is found by experience to be available in wounds, hurts, and outward sores, to heal and close up the lips of those that are green, and to dry up and restrain the flux of humours to those that are old.  It is singularly good to stay vomitings and bleeding wheresoever, as also all fluxes in man or woman, also, to knit any joint, which by weakness uses to be often out of place, or will not stay in long when it is set; also to knit and join broken bones in any part of the body, the roots being bruised and applied to the places; yea, it hath been found by experience, and the decoction of the root in wine, or the bruised root put into wine or other drink, and after a nights infusion, strained forth hard and drank, hath helped both man and beast, whose bones hath been broken by any occasion, which is the most assured refuge of help to people of diverse countries of the land they can have.”  He went on to say: ”…the diluted water of the whole plant used to the face or other parts of the skin, cleanses it from freckles, spots or any marks whatsoever, leaving the place fresh, fair and lovely, for which purpose it is much used by the Italian ladies and is the principal ingredient of most of the cosmetics and beauty washes advertised by perfumers at high prices.” (1653)

Gerard stated that, “..there is not another herb to be found comparable to it for the purposes aforesaid…” (bone repair, bruises, hemorrhoids, tumors, black eyes, inflammations, etc.)  The Cherokee, Iroquois, Chippewa and Menominee tribes used it for skin, reproductive, gastrointestinal and pain management issues.  Dr. Hedwig Langecker found it useful for nutritional diabetes in 1930.  The Ayurvedics use it for pain, inflammation, weakness, allergies and as an aphrodisiac.  The Chinese call it ‘jade bamboo’ and used it for the flu, rheumatic conditions, respiratory problems, stomach complaints, malaria and a host of other issues.  It has been used for poison ivy, menstrual problems, indigestion, ulcers, internal bleeding, gum problems, bowel issues and as a tonic for the heart, kidneys and reproductive organs.  The oil has been employed for sprains and broken  bones and the tea and/or tinctures have been used for torn ligaments, dislocations and general issues with joints. (If one follows the Doctrine of Signatures then it would be obvious that this plant is good for all problems relating to the musculoskeletal system).  In some cultures it is believed to be restorative to an overworked and overstressed mind.  As it is mucilaginous in nature it is soothing to the mucus lining thus making it beneficial for the female reproductive system, the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract.  The Chinese class it as a yin tonic and say it lubricates the heart and lungs, builds the marrow, tones the abdomen and increase seminal production.  They use it for yin deficiencies (grey hair, dry throat/cough, diabetes, etc.).  More recent research has found that it can protect the liver, bring down blood pressure and reduce blood fat and blood sugar levels (Lu, 1994, 203).

Many modern references by alternative practitioners say how helpful it has been in healing slipped and/or herniated discs, bursitis, connective tissue (fascia) issues (possibly useful for Dupuytrens disorder), impaired immune systems and nervous system problems.  Some have even gone so far as to call it ‘Chiropractor in a bottle’.  Unfortunately there are few clinical studies on this plant although given its history is nothing short of criminal. 



WebMD says that one should avoid using this herb if they are pregnant and/or nursing or if one is taking blood pressure and/or blood sugar medications.  Some side effects of overdose are diarrhea, vomiting and mild nausea.  Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) suggests if one is suffering from excess phlegm conditions, spleen and/or stomach problems they should probably avoid this plant.  The berries are considered poisonous and should be avoided as well.  As always, consult a qualified physician before starting any herbal product or regimen.

As is customary for my posts I am leaving you with some links below.  Stay strong and healthy!







 

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