Indian Snakeroot

Traditionally used

⚠ Snakeroot is the source of reserpine and is held here as record only. Its root carries some twenty alkaloids that quiet the sympathetic nervous system and drop blood pressure, which made it a foundation of early blood-pressure medicine and, in its home tradition, a calmative for agitation. But these are drug-strength effects with a real reach into mood and circulation, and dosing belongs to standardized medicine, not to a home tisane. There is no safe home preparation.

In three languages

Français — ⚠ Le rauwolfia est la source de la réserpine et n'est gardé ici qu'à titre de mémoire. Sa racine renferme une vingtaine d'alcaloïdes qui apaisent le système nerveux sympathique et abaissent la tension artérielle, ce qui en fit un socle des premiers traitements de l'hypertension et, dans sa tradition d'origine, un calmant de l'agitation. Mais ce sont là des effets de force médicamenteuse, agissant sur l'humeur et la circulation, dont le dosage relève de la médecine standardisée, non d'une tisane domestique. Il n'existe pas de préparation domestique sûre.

Safety

Safety notes for this plant are still being written. Until they are, treat it with a cautious hand.

⚑Plants can look similar and be misidentified — always verify with a local herbalist or guide before use.

Sources & lineage

Kept alongside

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