LADY'S SLIPPER (Cypripedium pubescens)

DESCRIPTION: Lady's slipper is usually used in combination with other herbs, especially valerian. It's available as a liquid extract, powdered root, dried root, tea, and tincture. It contains B-Complex.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS: Lady's Slipper Root (Cypripedium pubescens) acts as a tonic for the exhausted nervous system. It has a calming effect on the body and mind. It is said to be the most excellent and safest nervine in the plant kingdom. Used for twitching muscles. Tends to work slowly but has been widely reported to work. It is also used as a pain reliever. Lady's Slipper is made into a tea for nervousness, headaches, insomnia, and emotional tension. It's also a mild sedative and hypnotic. It's GI antispasmodic effects may be useful in the treatment of diarrhea. Lady's slipper is also used for menorrhagia and topically for pruritus.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS: Lady's slipper species may contain volatile oils, tannins, and quinones. These constituents may be responsible for the herb's effect on bleeding, diarrhea, menorrhagia, and pruritus. Also reported are experiences with sedation, giddiness, and headache. Hallucinations and restlessness have also been reported, as has contact dermatitis. Because of the sedative effect of lady's slipper, use with other sedatives or hypnotics may cause increased drowsiness. Lady's slipper should not be used by patients allergic to orchids or those prone to headaches. Pregnant or breast-feeding women should not use Lady's Slipper.

PARTS USED: Root

GENERAL USAGE: Dried root made into an infusion: 2 to 4 g by mouth three times a day. Extract: (1: 1 in water or 45% ethanol): 2 to 4 ml by mouth three times a day.

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