Root.
False unicorn is basically a traditional herbal remedy of the indigenous people of North America. However, it is worth mentioning here that some misunderstanding exists regarding the use of false unicorn as some other herbs also have the same name or had names that are very alike. It is believed that this herb was primarily employed by the native tribes of North America in the form of an herbal remedy especially beneficial for women. Nevertheless, inhabitants of Arkansas also took therapeutic preparations from false unicorn to treat injuries as well as ulcers. The root of false unicorn was listed in the United States National Formulary in the form of a tonic for the uterus as well as a diuretic between the period 1916 and 1947. Over the years the therapeutic value of false unicorn seems to have changed somewhat and currently, herbalists in the West mainly consider this herb to be a vital herbal remedy for conditions related to the uterus as well as the ovaries. In addition, it appears that false unicorn also has a stabilizing or regulating impact on the reproductive system in women, as it promotes a normal menstrual cycle. False unicorn is administered to women enduring erratic menstrual periods or those who suffer from absence of menstruation. This herb also stimulates the ovaries to discharge their hormones at the appropriate time every month. However, it may take a number of months from the time of using false unicorn to have noteworthy results on the menstruation cycle or normalizing the periods. False unicorn has a number of other therapeutic uses, for instance, this herb is also employed to treat infections of the uterus, endometriosis, menopausal symptoms as well as ovarian cysts. In addition, false unicorn is also used in the form of a stimulant for the digestive as well as genitourinary problems. As discussed above, the herb false unicorn has been traditionally used by the native tribes of North America in the form of a remedy for health conditions mainly related to women. They considered false unicorn to be a herb especially beneficial for women. This herb possesses a number of therapeutic properties, including a uterine tonic, adaptogen, emetic, diuretic and vermifuge. In addition, false unicorn is also used in treating dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea and leucorrhoea as well as an assortment of conditions related to the reproductive system of both women and men. The root of false unicorn, which is primarily used for therapeutic purposes, is extracted during autumn, dried up and stored for use when necessary later.
False unicorn is a perennial herb that is indigenous to the United States and is found growing on its own in low, damp and adequately drained locales on the eastern side of the Mississippi River. Normally, this herb is collected from the wild and seldom cultivated. Nevertheless, false unicorn can also be propagated from its seeds. The plants are in bloom during the beginning of the summer and their roots are unearthed during autumn. False unicorn plants thrive best in damp, rich soils that are acidic and rich in humus content, especially a cool peaty earth. This plant species also has a preference for total sunlight, but also grows well in partial shade. False unicorn plants are dioecious by nature (bearing flowers that of separate sexes) and if you require seeds of this herb, you need to grow the male and female plants of this species in close proximity. Provided you are cultivating false unicorn, you need to sow the seeds immediately when they are mature. Ideally, the seeds should be sown superficially, just underneath the surface of a soil that is a mix of peat and sand in containers and placed in a cold frame. Ensure that the soil is always cool and damp. Normally, it takes anything between one and six months for the seeds to germinate when they are placed in temperature of about 10�C. When the seedlings have grown sufficiently large to be handled, you need to prick them out individually and plant them in separate containers. Continue growing the young plants in a nursery bed for a period of about one to two years and ensure you provide them with protection from the harsh winter. When the plants have grown sufficiently large, they may be planted in their permanent positions outdoors during spring.
Findings by herbalists in the West reveal that false unicorn is a useful herbal medicine for treating problems related to menstruation as well as uterus. In effect, false unicorn roots enclose substances called steroidal saponins that are responsible for stimulating the uterus and this is an ample indication regarding the assertions of false unicorn facilitating the treatment of gynecological disorders to be adequately verified. Nevertheless, practically there has been no research in this regard thus far. It is worth mentioning here that the fact that while there has been plenty of a scientific research regarding the therapeutic uses of the herb ginseng (Chinese ginseng), which also encloses steroidal saponins, false unicorn has virtually been neglected by herbalists and botanists and this is really surprising. This is possibly because ginseng is effective in treating problems related to males, while false unicorn is especially useful for women. Therefore, it needs to be emphasized that there is an urgent need for further research with false unicorn.
False unicorn is used therapeutically in the form of a decoction and tincture. The standard doses for these two are different. Decoction: To prepare a decoction of the false unicorn root, add one to two teaspoonfuls of the dried root in one cup (250 ml) of water and boil it. Subsequently, simmer the liquid mildly for about another 10 to 15 minutes. For best results, take this decoction thrice every day. However, to avoid or treat threatened miscarriage, the decoction may be drunk in plenty. Tincture: The standard dosage of the false unicorn tincture is taking it in measures of 2 ml to 4 ml thrice daily.
People using preparations from false unicorn ought to be aware of the potential side effects of this herb and also take necessary precautions against them. It may be noted here that when taken in large measures, false unicorn is toxic for the cardiac system. When you take large measures of therapeutic preparations of false unicorn, it may result in queasiness as well as vomiting. False unicorn is known to possess emmenagogue properties that stimulate menstrual flow and, thus, it is advisable that pregnant women should avoid using this herb.