Squawvine (Mitchella repens)
Synopsis of squawvine
Squawvine (Mitchella repens), also known as partridgeberry, is a small, evergreen creeping vine native to North America. It belongs to the Rubiaceae family and grows in woodland habitats, producing small white flowers and red berries. The leaves, stems, and berries of the plant are used medicinally, particularly in traditional women’s health formulas, earning it the name “squawvine” from its association with Indigenous midwifery practices.
Herbalists value squawvine as a uterine tonic, antispasmodic, mild sedative, and anti-inflammatory herb. It is primarily used to support pregnancy, ease menstrual discomfort, prevent miscarriage, and prepare the uterus for labor and delivery. It is also employed for menstrual cramps, irregular periods, and PMS. Due to its toning and calming effects on smooth muscle, it helps reduce pelvic congestion and may alleviate urinary tract irritation or mild bladder weakness.
Squawvine is often included in late pregnancy herbal blends, commonly paired with herbs like raspberry leaf, black cohosh, and blue cohosh to support labor preparation and ease childbirth. It is generally taken as a tea or tincture and is used cautiously due to its traditional association with labor stimulation.
Historical Use:
Squawvine has a long history of use in Native American medicine, where it was known as a birthing herb. Tribal midwives used it to prepare women for childbirth, promote easier deliveries, and reduce postnatal complications. The term “squaw” in squawvine is an outdated reference to Indigenous women, as the plant was traditionally entrusted to female healers and midwives.
European settlers adopted squawvine into Eclectic medicine, the 19th-century botanical system of healthcare practiced in North America. Eclectic physicians praised it as a parturient herb, useful in the final weeks of pregnancy to tone the uterus and ease labor. It was also employed to calm uterine irritation, reduce miscarriage risk, and assist with dysmenorrhea.
In early American herbal texts, squawvine was often recommended as a remedy for nervous conditions, particularly when associated with reproductive issues. It was seen as a gentle herb that worked over time to build strength and regulate female reproductive function.
Though less commonly used today, squawvine remains a respected herb among traditional herbalists and midwives, particularly those working with natural pregnancy support and menstrual health. While modern scientific studies are limited, its historical role as a uterine tonic and female reproductive herb remains well-preserved in traditional Western herbalism.
Squawvine is used for these health conditions
Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Acid Indigestion (Traditional)
Anxiety (Traditional)
Arthritis (Traditional)
Asthma (Traditional)
Backache (Traditional)
Bedwetting (Traditional)
Bladder Infection (Traditional)
Bleeding (external) (Traditional)
Boils (Traditional)
Bronchitis (Traditional)
Bruises (healing) (Traditional)
Burns and Scalds (Traditional)
Canker Sores (Traditional)
Chills (Traditional)
Cholera (Traditional)
Colds (general) (Traditional)
Colds (prevention) (Traditional)
Congestion (Traditional)
Congestion (bronchial) (Traditional)
Congestion (lungs) (Traditional)
Constipation (children) (Traditional)
Cuts (Traditional)
Diarrhea (Traditional)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Dizziness (Traditional)
squawvine is used to support these body systems
Bladder (Traditional)
Digestive System (Traditional)
Female Reproductive System (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Muscles (Traditional)
Reproductive System (Traditional)
Uterus (Traditional)
Vagina (Traditional)
Products containing squawvine
Nature's Sunshine 5-W
Nature's Sunshine C-X
Nature's Sunshine Natural Changes
