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Mitchella repens (Rubiaceae)
SQUAW VINE, PARTRIDGE BERRY, WINTER CLOVER
Taken by North American Indian
women to make childbirth easier, it is still given by herbalists to ease
labour or painful periods, and for exhaustion or irritability.
A native of eastern North America, this small
perennial herb has bitter-tasting oval leaves and small white flowers in summer that give way to red berries.
PARTS USED
Whole herb.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Saponins; mucilage; tannins.
ACTIONS
Aids contraction of the womb during childbirth; astringent; relaxes the womb; nerve tonic.
MEDICINAL USE
Given to ease the pain of labour, for
painful or absent periods, and for nervous exhaustion and irritability.
PREPARATIONS
Infusion, tincture.
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