MEDICINAL USES AND CHEMICAL INFORMATION:

Wild Ginger is used to relieve gas, to promote sweating, and as an expectorant. It derives its medicinal nature from the aristolochic acid it contains.

aristolochic acid

This acid is an anti-tumor compound and also has anti-microbial properties. The medicinal part of the plant is its root.

NATIVE AMERICAN USES:

Native Americans used Wild Ginger for a variety of ailments including heart pain and heart arrhythmia. A root tea was used for indigestion, cough, cold, cramps, throat ailments, and nervous conditions. Roots were steeped by the Meskwakis and applied to the ear to relieve ear ailments.

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS:

This wildflower has soft, wooly, heart-shaped leaves. Each plant has two leaves, and the flower is located where the stem splits into these two leaves.

Wild Ginger flowers in April and May, and can be found rich woods. Other common names include Canada Snake Root, Indian Ginger, and Vermont Snake Root.