Virginia snakeroot is an herb that grows in the wooded hills of Ohio, Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. Also included are found in the southwest states, Louisiana to Texas, of the U.S.A. Plants with the scientific name Aristolochia serpentaria has many health benefits. Here, we will talk more about the health benefits of Virginia Snakeroot.
Virginia Snakeroot is a plant with fibrous roots, and is brown in color. The roots of this plant are sometimes branched to about 3 inches long. The root smells like ginger. The stems are jointed and grow in a zigzag 1-2 feet high. The color of the plant is green and near the base is purplish. The leaves of the Virginia snakeroot plant are about 3 inches long by about 1 inch wide with oval leaves. The Virginia Snakeroot blooms from June to July. The flowers are purple and mixed with dull brown, the flowers are attached to the stem rather than at the end of the branch.
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Health Benefits of Virginia Snakeroot
1. Medicine for snake bites
Native Americans used the virginia snakeroot plant as a folk remedy to treat snakebites. It is said that this plant is indeed effective in treating the bites of venomous reptiles such as snakes.
They chew on the roots of the virginia snakeroot plant, then suck the snake’s venom and use the chewed root as a poultice.
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2. Relieves cold symptoms
One of the outstanding health benefits of Virginia Snakeroot is as a cold remedy. The root of this plant is used as medicine by boiling it and drinking the boiled water of the root. Drinking this decoction will stimulate the release of sweat in abundance so as to provide healing for cold sufferers. Well, with a lot of sweat it will encourage someone to consume more water. So, snakeroot root benefits are great for treating cold symptoms.
3. Increase appetite
If you want to increase weight, then one of the traditional remedies is snakeroot. Consuming a decoction of the roots of this plant will stimulate the secretion of gastric acid. Well, when stomach acid increases, this gives a signal to the body to digest more food so that the appetite for food increases.
The friction of the intestines causes the sound to come out and this is a signal that we need to eat more food.
4. Benefits of Virginia Snakeroot for menstruation
In Chinese medicine, snakeroot is used as a remedy for menstrual problems. The herbs of this plant increase blood flow and this provides many benefits. Well, this herb is good for women’s menstrual health and keeps menstruation smooth.
Research has found that the acid in this plant works similarly to snake venom. The effect of snake venom is to reduce excessive bleeding.
5. As natural aphrodisiac
If you have ever used chemicals to improve your health, treat disease, even to promote good health.
Traditional healers have long prescribed snakeroot as a natural remedy for aphrodisiacs and to stimulate various body functions. Virginia Snakeroot is useful in increasing blood flow.
6. Treating rabies
Furthermore, the health benefits of virginia snakeroot are as a medicine to cure rabies. Rabies is a disease caused by a certain virus and has an adverse effect on the brains of humans and other mammals.
Patients with this disease can use a decoction of the roots of the Virginia Snakeroot plant to treat rabies. This plant is rich in anti-inflammatory which can fight inflammation caused by rabies. Slowly the concoction of snakeroot root eliminates inflammation that occurs in the brain.
Also read: Best Health Benefits of Life Plant (Bryophyllum pinnatum)
7. Treat skin problems masalah
There are several skin problems that occur due to inflammation such as rashes and eczema. To overcome this problem there are chemical drugs and traditional medicine. Traditional medicine is usually safer to use because there is no combination between drugs.
The Virginia Snakeroot plant contains many anti-inflammatory properties that can treat problems. Apart from being anti-inflammatory, the roots of this plant also contain antioxidants such as flavonoids, this will provide many health benefits including treating skin problems such as eczema and rashes.
8. Increase blood flow
Another health benefit of consuming a concoction of snakeroot root is improving blood flow. Good circulation is a sign that a person’s health is good. When blood circulation is smooth, oxygen and nutrients will flow throughout the body smoothly, including to the brain.
In addition to the roots, you can consume tea from the leaves of the snakeroot plant. The flavonoid content of plant leaves will provide these benefits. The benefits of flavonoids as found in most tea leaves are lowering blood pressure, blood circulation and preventing various heart-related diseases such as heart attacks and cardiovascular disease.
9. Treat convulsions
Health benefits of Virginia Snakeroot as a seizure remedy. This is almost the same as the benefits of jocote which is also effective for reducing seizures.
Seizures are usually associated with disorders of the brain such as epilepsy and the presence of toxic contamination in the blood. The possibility of this virginia snakeroot root works by removing toxins from the blood through sweat.
More: Health Benefits of Jocote (Spanish Plum)
10. Good for digestion
Aristolochic acids present in the roots of the Snakeroot plant are useful for speeding up digestion. So, many use it as an herb for a diet to reduce body fat. Snakeroot plant also tightens the digestive system so that it helps the body speed up the work of digesting food.
Dose of Snakeroot
For tinctures, 5–20 drops, three times a day. As an infusion, 1 teaspoonful of crushed root, put in 1 cupful of boiling water, soak for 30 minutes. Consume as much as 3 to 6 tablespoons a day.
