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Virginia Snakeroot (Aristolochia serpentaria) Herbal Profile

Virginia Snake root

Botanical Description

  • Scientific Name: Aristolochia serpentaria L.
  • Family: Aristolochiaceae (Birthwort family)
  • Common Names: Virginia Snakeroot, Serpentary, Snakeweed, Birthwort, Sangree Root, Texas Snakeroot
  • Plant Type: Perennial herbaceous plant, low-growing (up to 0.6 m or 1-3 feet tall) (Mabberley, 2008).
  • Habitat: Native to eastern and central USA, found in rich, shady woodlands, dry to moist forests, and along stream banks. Prefers well-drained, loamy, humus-rich soils with partial to full shade and a slightly acidic to neutral pH (USDA, 2025).
  • Leaves: Alternate, heart-shaped or ovate, 5-15 cm long, dark green, slightly lobed, with a pointed apex (Fernald, 1950).
  • Flowers: Tubular, pipe-shaped, brownish-purple, with a foul, fruit-like odour to attract flies Anthem for pollination. Bloom from April to July (Weakley, 2015).
  • Roots: Fibrous, horizontal rhizomes with many thin roots, aromatic with a pungent, bitter taste (Chevallier, 1996).
  • Distribution: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia (USDA, 2025).
  • Conservation Status: Endangered in New York and rare in Connecticut due to habitat loss (New York Natural Heritage Program, 2023).

Ecological Role

  • Serves as a larval host for Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) and Polydamas Swallowtail (Battus polydamas) butterflies (Opler & Malikul, 1992).
  • Contributes to soil stabilization with deep roots and supports biodiversity in woodland ecosystems.

Historical and Traditional Uses

Virginia Snakeroot was historically valued in Native American and colonial medicine, particularly for snakebite treatment, though its efficacy is unproven (Foster & Duke, 2000).

  • Medicinal Properties: Traditionally considered a stimulant, diaphoretic, diuretic, tonic, anodyne, antispasmodic, and nervine (Chevallier, 1996)
  • Constituents: Contains aristolochic acid (carcinogenic, nephrotoxic), volatile oil, tannic acid, resin, gum, sugar, and trimethyl amine (Lewis & Elvin-Lewis, 2003).
  • Uses:
    • Snakebites: Native Americans chewed roots and applied them to wounds to draw out venom, though no scientific evidence supports this (Vogel, 1970).
    • Fevers: Used to promote sweating and reduce fever in conditions like malaria, smallpox, and pneumonia (Foster & Duke, 2000).
    • Digestive Issues: Small doses were believed to stimulate appetite, aid digestion, and relieve stomachaches or flatulence (Chevallier, 1996).
    • Respiratory Conditions: Tea gargled for sore throats or used as an expectorant for croup and catarrhs (Grieve, 1931).
    • Circulatory Benefits: Thought to improve blood circulation, used for suppressed menstruation and as an aphrodisiac (Vogel, 1970).
    • Pain Relief: Infusions used for rheumatism, toothaches, and sharp chest pains (Foster & Duke, 2000).
    • External Applications: Crushed roots applied to wounds, snakebites, or pleurisy; used as a wash for headaches (Grieve, 1931).
  • Cultural Significance: Named “Aristolochia” from Greek “aristos” (best) and “locheia” (childbirth), reflecting its historical use in childbirth, though more commonly used for menstrual regulation (Mabberley, 2008).

Modern Cautions and Toxicity

  • Toxicity: Contains aristolochic acid, a known carcinogen and nephrotoxin, linked to kidney damage, urothelial cancer, and renal fibrosis (National Toxicology Program, 2012).
  • Regulatory Actions:
    • Banned in Germany, Austria, France, Great Britain, Belgium, and Japan (WHO, 2002).
    • FDA seizes products suspected of containing aristolochic acid in the U.S. (FDA, 2001).
    • Removed from the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China (Chen et al., 2007).
  • Contraindications: Avoid use entirely, especially during pregnancy (abortifacient effects) and breastfeeding (Lewis & Elvin-Lewis, 2003).
  • Side Effects: Vomiting, vertigo, diarrhea, acute pain, paralysis, and coma in high doses (Chevallier, 1996).
  • Recommendation: Due to toxicity, Virginia Snakeroot should not be used in modern herbal practice. Safer alternatives exist (Foster & Duke, 2000).
See also  Herbal Database (Link)

Traditional Recipes (Historical Reference Only)

The following recipes are provided for historical and educational purposes. Do not prepare or consume due to toxicity risks.

Virginia Snakeroot Infusion (Weak Tea)

  • Purpose: Traditionally used to promote sweating, stimulate appetite, or relieve sore throats (as a gargle) (Grieve, 1931).
  • Ingredients:
    • 1 tsp dried Virginia Snakeroot rhizome or fresh roots
    • 1 cup boiling water
  • Instructions:
    1. Steep 1 tsp of dried or fresh root in 1 cup of boiling water for 10-15 minutes.
    2. Strain thoroughly.
    3. Take 1 tbsp of the infusion 3-6 times daily (historically recommended dose).
    4. Alternatively, use as a gargle for sore throats.
  • Caution: Even small doses are toxic. 

Virginia Snakeroot Tincture

  • Purpose: Used for fevers, digestive issues, or snakebites in minute doses (Foster & Duke, 2000).
  • Ingredients:
    • 1 oz dried Virginia Snakeroot rhizome
    • 1 pint proof spirit (70% alcohol)
  • Instructions:
    1. Digest 1 oz of dried root in 1 pint of proof spirit for 7-10 days, shaking daily.
    2. Filter and store in a dark glass bottle.
    3. Historically, 5-20 drops were taken in cold water up to 3 times daily.
  • Caution: Toxic and unsafe for use.

Topical Poultice for Snakebites or Wounds

  • Purpose: Applied to snakebites or wounds to draw out venom or promote healing (unproven) (Vogel, 1970).
  • Ingredients:
    • Fresh Virginia Snakeroot roots or leaves
  • Instructions:
    1. Crush fresh roots or leaves into a paste.
    2. Apply directly to the affected area and cover with a clean cloth.
    3. Replace every few hours as needed.
  • Caution: Topical use may still pose risks due to absorption of aristolochic acid.

Cultivation Notes

  • Growing Conditions: Prefers partial to full shade, well-drained, moist, humus-rich soil. Hardy in USDA zones 7-10 (USDA, 2025).
  • Propagation: Via seeds (soaked 24 hours, planted 1 inch deep) or stem cuttings in late spring (Weakley, 2015).
  • Garden Use: Suitable for shady woodland gardens or as ground cover. Attracts pollinators and supports butterfly larvae (Opler & Malikul, 1992).
  • Conservation: Avoid wild harvesting due to rarity in some regions. Cultivate responsibly to preserve wild populations (New York Natural Heritage Program, 2023).

Conclusion

Virginia Snakeroot holds a significant place in herbal history but is now recognized as dangerously toxic due to aristolochic acid (National Toxicology Program, 2012). Its traditional uses for snakebites, fevers, and digestive issues lack scientific support, and safer alternatives are available (Foster & Duke, 2000). Modern herbalists and health authorities advise against its use. For educational purposes, historical recipes are provided, but preparation or consumption is strongly discouraged. Cultivate Virginia Snakeroot for ecological benefits, such as supporting butterflies, rather than medicinal use.

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References

  1. Chevallier, A. (1996). The encyclopedia of medicinal plants. DK Publishing.
  2. Chen, C. H., Dickman, K. G., Moriya, M., & Zavadil, J. (2007). Aristolochic acid-associated urothelial cancer in Taiwan. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 104(21), 8811-8816.
  3. Fernald, M. L. (1950). Gray’s manual of botany (8th ed.). American Book Company.
  4. Foster, S., & Duke, J. A. (2000). A field guide to medicinal plants and herbs of eastern and central North America. Houghton Mifflin.
  5. Grieve, M. (1931). A modern herbal. Penguin Books.
  6. Lewis, W. H., & Elvin-Lewis, M. P. F. (2003). Medical botany: Plants affecting human health. Wiley.
  7. Mabberley, D. J. (2008). Mabberley’s plant-book: A portable dictionary of plants. Cambridge University Press.
  8. National Toxicology Program. (2012). Aristolochic acids. Report on Carcinogens (12th ed.). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  9. New York Natural Heritage Program. (2023). Online conservation guide for Aristolochia serpentaria. Retrieved from https://www.nynhp.org/
  10. Opler, P. A., & Malikul, V. (1992). A field guide to eastern butterflies. Houghton Mifflin.
  11. USDA. (2025). PLANTS Database: Aristolochia serpentaria. Retrieved from https://plants.usda.gov/
  12. Vogel, V. J. (1970). American Indian medicine. University of Oklahoma Press.
  13. Weakley, A. S. (2015). Flora of the southern and mid-Atlantic states. University of North Carolina Herbarium.
  14. WHO. (2002). WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants (Vol. 2). World Health Organization.

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