Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Black root (Veronicastrum virginicum), also known as Culver’s root, has a history of use in traditional herbal medicine among Native American tribes and early settlers in North America. It was employed as a general remedy for digestive complaints, liver ailments, and as a laxative. There are some records that Black root was used externally or internally for various ailments, and it is occasionally cited in ethnobotanical sources as a remedy for bites and stings, though this was not its primary historical use. The rationale behind its application for bites and stings is likely rooted in its reputed anti-inflammatory and purgative properties, which traditional healers might have believed could help remove toxins or reduce swelling and irritation.

However, there is very limited documentation of this specific use, and no clinical or pharmacological studies have validated the effectiveness or safety of Black root for treating bites or stings. Its primary constituents (including iridoid glycosides and saponins) have not been specifically studied in this context. Modern herbal references do not commonly list Black root as a standard remedy for bites and stings. Therefore, while there is some weak traditional precedent, scientific evidence is lacking, and its use for this indication is not widely supported or recommended today.

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