Solomon's seal (polygonatum)
Synopsis of solomon's seal
Solomon’s seal refers to the root of Polygonatum species, particularly Polygonatum biflorum (North American Solomon’s seal) and Polygonatum odoratum (used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, where it’s called Yu Zhu). The rhizome of this plant is highly valued in herbal medicine for its moistening, restoring, and connective tissue-healing properties. It is best known for its ability to lubricate joints, support tendons and ligaments, soothe inflamed tissues, and balance fluids within the body.
Rich in allantoin, steroidal saponins, flavonoids, mucilage, and polysaccharides, Solomon’s seal has a gentle yet profound action on the musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, and digestive tract. It is often used to treat joint pain, tendon or ligament injuries, osteoarthritis, dry coughs, gastrointestinal inflammation, and dehydration-related tissue tension. Herbalists also use it to restore mobility and elasticity to joints and tissues that are either stiff and dry or loose and hypermobile.
As an adaptogenic and tonifying herb, Solomon’s seal is considered a yin tonic in Chinese medicine—used to nourish fluids, calm irritability, and address dry or inflamed conditions due to internal heat or deficiency. In Western herbalism, it is included in formulations to restore balance in tissues, particularly after overuse, injury, or degeneration.
Historical Use:
Solomon’s seal has a long history of use across both Eastern and Western herbal traditions. In North American Indigenous medicine, it was used by various tribes to treat wounds, bruises, lung conditions, and reproductive imbalances. The rhizome was often poulticed for broken bones, strained joints, and contusions, giving rise to its reputation as a remedy for musculoskeletal trauma.
The name “Solomon’s seal” comes from the scar left on the rhizome after the aerial stem dies back each year, which resembles a seal or stamp. European herbalists associated the plant with King Solomon’s wisdom, believing it possessed both physical and spiritual healing power. Nicholas Culpeper, the 17th-century English herbalist, wrote of its ability to heal “wounds inward and outward” and praised it for bruises, ruptures, and broken bones.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Polygonatum odoratum (Yu Zhu) is used to nourish yin, moisten dryness, and generate fluids, especially in the lungs and stomach. It is included in formulas for dry cough, dry throat, thirst, and internal heat, particularly in cases of long-term illness or constitutional deficiency.
Solomon's seal is used for these health conditions
Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Arthritis (Traditional)
Backache (Traditional)
Bruises (healing) (Traditional)
Burns and Scalds (Traditional)
Cuts (Traditional)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Edema (Traditional)
Inflammation (Traditional)
Injuries (Traditional)
Ligaments (torn or injured) (Traditional)
Pain (general remedies for) (Traditional)
Sprains (Traditional)
Wounds and Sores (Traditional)
solomon's seal is used to support these body systems
Digestive System (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Joints (Traditional)
Kidneys (Traditional)
Lungs (Traditional)
Muscles (Traditional)
Skeletal System (Bones) (Traditional)
