LucasLand

The Wildflowers

Bowman's Root

or

Indian Physic

Gillenia Trifoliata

All the information below is taken from the following web page

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4177/bowmnsrt.html

"The active power of the root
seems to reside exclusively in the
bark. It is a safe and efficacious emetic...
It has accordingly been thought
peculiarly beneficial in the intermittent fever, and it is
often given to horses
to mend their appetite."
Dr. Benjamin Barton 1798

ELEMENT : Fire

RULING PLANET: Mars

GENDER : Masculine

DESCRIPTION : Bowman's root has erect white or pinkish flowers, about 1 1/2 inches wide. The flowers are in loose terminal panicles. The 5 petals are narrow, oblique, irregular, and almost stalkless. It flowers May - July.

The leaves are 2-4 inches long, toothed, with tiny stipules. They are also alternate and divided into three, nearly stalkless, unequal, toothed leaflets.

The root is thick with thin bark and many fissured rootlets. Several erect, slender stems that are reddish-brown emerge from it. The root has a bitter taste.

Bowman's root grows to a height of 2-3 feet.

CULTIVATION : Bowman's root inhabits rich woodlands. It is native to the United States. This plant ranges from Southern Ontario to New York, south to Georgia, west to Alabama, north to Michigan.

To grow in the garden, give Bowman's root slightly moist rich soil, and part shade. Hardiness zones for this plant are zones 3-8.

MEDICINAL USE : Bowman's root has also been used as a poultice for bee stings and swellings.

MAGICKAL USE : Use Bowman's root in any rituals for courage. If you have trouble with public speaking, put a small piece of the stem in your pocket before the event to bolster your courage.

Native Americans used Bowman's root for amenorrhea, rheumatism, dropsy, dyspepsia, worms, and intermittent fever. It was also used as a laxative and emetic.