Saturday
12Dec2009
Seneca
Dec 12, 2009 at 5:00
Botanical Name: Polygala senega
Family: Cluciaceae
Common Names: seneca, senega, snakeroot, rattlesnake root
With its long, fibrous roots twisting around in every direction, it’s not hard to understand why this plant, so common in so much of the U.S. is called “snakeroot”. But seneca, which is named for the Seneca People of what is now New York, also got its common name, rattlesnake root, from the fact that the Seneca people used it as a remedy for rattlesnake bites.
Traditional Medical Uses for Seneca
In 1736, a Virginia doctor named John Tennant was awarded 100 pounds by the Virginia Assembly for his essay on the use of seneca roots to treat a variety of pulmonary conditions. A year later, in his letter to Sir Hans Sloane, Dr. Tennant continued to extol the virtues of this small perrenial, explaining that it “really cures the bit of a rattle snake” and recommending it for a variety of respiratory illnesses. Though P. senega only saw widespread use outside the U.S., here these uses remained popular ailments for seneca for the next 200 years or so.
Seneca in Native American Healing
Because seneca was native to such a large area—the entire north-eastern quarter of the continental U.S.—it’s likely that seneca was used extensively by the various Native Tribes who populated the land. Unfortunately, much of what we know about Native American healers and their use of this herb has been lost to history.
Experts at the University of Manitoba believe that the Winnebago and the Dakota may have used a paste of seneca roots to treat insect bites and stings. They also believe that other Native Americans may have used various preparations of seneca for intestinal upset, heart problems and even to perform abortions.
Seneca in Ayurveda
Other species of Polygala are found in Asia but in preparation for this article, we could find no reference to P. senega being used to treat cougs and colds in Ayurvedic medicine.
Seneca in Traditional Chinese Medicine
P. senega isn’t native to China but other members of the Polygala genus are. Siberian milkwort is known as luan ye yuan zshi in traditional Chinese herbalism.
Seneca in Traditional European Herbalism
Seneca didn’t make its way to Europe until well into the 1700s. In Europe, the Polygala of choice was usually P. amara or bitter milkwort.
Seneca in Modern Herbalism
Today, seneca is used mainly as a cold remedy. How exactly seneca works to thin and clear mucus in the body isn’t well understood but today’s herbalists look to seneca for its potential in sinus and bronchial conditions. Oddly enough, seneca is actually more popular in Europe than it is the U.S. currently.
Serious Medical Studies on Seneca
Much of the research into seneca’s potential as a medicinal herb has focused on its saponin content. A 2007 study from Canada isolated and identified 8 separate saponin compounds in P. senega.
Blood Glucose Levels
A 1985 study of P. senega found that senegin-II, one of the main components of seneca root, effectively lowered blood glucose levels in laboratory animals.
Immunity
Another Canadian study, this one published in a 2000 issue of Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, examined the potential immuno-stimulating actions of seneca. Researchers found that seneca greatly enhanced the body’s antibody response to rotavirus.
Safety Issue
Like many other herbs, seneca hasn’t been exhaustivley tested for safety or long-term use. Its Commission E monograph lists “gastrointestinal irritation” as the only currently known side effect.
References:
Foster, S., Johnson, R. (2006). Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine.
McGuffin, M., et al. (200). Herbs of Commerce.
Kelly, H., (1914). Some American Medical Botanists.
Erichsen-Brown, C. (1989). Medicinal and Other Uses of North American Plants.
Turcotte, C., Kenkel, N. Seneca Snakeroot (Polygala senega L.). Retrieved on January 20, 2008 from http://www.umanitoba.ca/botany/LABS/ECOLOGY/seneca.html.
Estrada, A., Katselis, G., Laarveld, B., Barl, B. (2000). Isolation and evaluation of immunological adjuvant activities of saponins from Polygala senega L.
Family: Cluciaceae
Common Names: seneca, senega, snakeroot, rattlesnake root
With its long, fibrous roots twisting around in every direction, it’s not hard to understand why this plant, so common in so much of the U.S. is called “snakeroot”. But seneca, which is named for the Seneca People of what is now New York, also got its common name, rattlesnake root, from the fact that the Seneca people used it as a remedy for rattlesnake bites.
Traditional Medical Uses for Seneca
In 1736, a Virginia doctor named John Tennant was awarded 100 pounds by the Virginia Assembly for his essay on the use of seneca roots to treat a variety of pulmonary conditions. A year later, in his letter to Sir Hans Sloane, Dr. Tennant continued to extol the virtues of this small perrenial, explaining that it “really cures the bit of a rattle snake” and recommending it for a variety of respiratory illnesses. Though P. senega only saw widespread use outside the U.S., here these uses remained popular ailments for seneca for the next 200 years or so.
Seneca in Native American Healing
Because seneca was native to such a large area—the entire north-eastern quarter of the continental U.S.—it’s likely that seneca was used extensively by the various Native Tribes who populated the land. Unfortunately, much of what we know about Native American healers and their use of this herb has been lost to history.
Experts at the University of Manitoba believe that the Winnebago and the Dakota may have used a paste of seneca roots to treat insect bites and stings. They also believe that other Native Americans may have used various preparations of seneca for intestinal upset, heart problems and even to perform abortions.
Seneca in Ayurveda
Other species of Polygala are found in Asia but in preparation for this article, we could find no reference to P. senega being used to treat cougs and colds in Ayurvedic medicine.
Seneca in Traditional Chinese Medicine
P. senega isn’t native to China but other members of the Polygala genus are. Siberian milkwort is known as luan ye yuan zshi in traditional Chinese herbalism.
Seneca in Traditional European Herbalism
Seneca didn’t make its way to Europe until well into the 1700s. In Europe, the Polygala of choice was usually P. amara or bitter milkwort.
Seneca in Modern Herbalism
Today, seneca is used mainly as a cold remedy. How exactly seneca works to thin and clear mucus in the body isn’t well understood but today’s herbalists look to seneca for its potential in sinus and bronchial conditions. Oddly enough, seneca is actually more popular in Europe than it is the U.S. currently.
Serious Medical Studies on Seneca
Much of the research into seneca’s potential as a medicinal herb has focused on its saponin content. A 2007 study from Canada isolated and identified 8 separate saponin compounds in P. senega.
Blood Glucose Levels
A 1985 study of P. senega found that senegin-II, one of the main components of seneca root, effectively lowered blood glucose levels in laboratory animals.
Immunity
Another Canadian study, this one published in a 2000 issue of Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, examined the potential immuno-stimulating actions of seneca. Researchers found that seneca greatly enhanced the body’s antibody response to rotavirus.
Safety Issue
Like many other herbs, seneca hasn’t been exhaustivley tested for safety or long-term use. Its Commission E monograph lists “gastrointestinal irritation” as the only currently known side effect.
References:
Foster, S., Johnson, R. (2006). Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine.
McGuffin, M., et al. (200). Herbs of Commerce.
Kelly, H., (1914). Some American Medical Botanists.
Erichsen-Brown, C. (1989). Medicinal and Other Uses of North American Plants.
Turcotte, C., Kenkel, N. Seneca Snakeroot (Polygala senega L.). Retrieved on January 20, 2008 from http://www.umanitoba.ca/botany/LABS/ECOLOGY/seneca.html.
Estrada, A., Katselis, G., Laarveld, B., Barl, B. (2000). Isolation and evaluation of immunological adjuvant activities of saponins from Polygala senega L.
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