Origins: cool, moist, deep woods and slopes.

Uses: The first common name of this plant, Canada wild ginger, indicates the aromatic quality of it rhyzome. It was used as a flavoring agent in Colonial America in place of Jamaica ginger. The rhyzome has vaulue as an expectorant, antiseptic, and tonic. In Appalachia a root tea is used to relieve stomach gas.

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This low-growing woodland plant has characteristic heart shaped leaves  hiding a dark maroon bell-shaped flower. Native Americans used the root for many medicinal purposes, especially for digestive tract complaints, colds, fever, and sore throat. The component aristolochic acid has some anti-tumor effect. Leaves were put on wounds as a poultice, and studies show that a substance in the leaves does have some antibiotic activity. The root also was used as a flavoring in cooking, when true ginger from the tropics was not readily available.

Part used::
Roots, Leaves

Origin:
America

1)  A guide to medicinal plants of Appalachia/ Krochmal, Arnold; Walter, Russel S.; Doughty, Richard M.: USA: U.S.D.A Forest Service:,1959

2) Hull, Kathleen; Photog. Hull, Meredith /Indiana Medical History Museum: Guide to the Medicinal Plant Garden./ USA: Indiana Medical History Museum. 2010. -- p. 58.