Practical
Plants

Gillenia stipulata

American Ipecacuanna

a perennial member of the Gillenia genus in the family Rosaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.2 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The dried powdered root bark is cathartic, slightly diaphoretic, a mild and efficient emetic, expectorant and tonic[6][8][2][4]. Minute doses are used internally in the treatment of colds, chronic diarrhoea, constipation, asthma and other bronchial complaints[4][5]. The roots have been used externally in the treatment of rheumatism[5]. A cold infusion of the roots has been given, or the root chewed, in the treatment of bee and other stings[5]. The roots are harvested in the autumn, the bark is removed and dried for later use[2][4]. A tea made from the whole plant is strongly laxative and emetic[3]. Minute doses are used internally in the treatment of colds, indigestion, asthma and hepatitis[3]. A poultice or wash is used in the treatment of rheumatism, bee stings and swellings[3]. A decoction or strong infusion of the whole plant has been taken a pint at a time as an emetic[5]. A poultice of the plant has been used to treat leg swellings[5]. The plant has been used in the treatment of toothaches[5].

Product or use
Cathartic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Stings
Product or use
Tonic

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - New York to Indiana and Kansas, south to Georgia, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Habitat
Woods, thickets and rocky slopes[7].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[1]. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on for the first year in a lightly shaded area of the greenhouse or cold frame. Plant out in late spring and protect from slugs until well established. Division in spring or autumn[4].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in a rather moist but well-drained lime-free peaty soil in semi-shade[6][1]. Succeeds in a sunny position but requires shade at the hottest part of the day[1].

References

  1. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2

  3. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  6. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

  7. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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