alphabetical index of plant families and groups - Sunrise Versand

Aralia nudicaulis
Aralia nudicaulis L. Wild sarsaparilla; false sarsaparilla; American sarsaparilla.
Native range: North America. Habitat: Moist or dry woodlands, thickets, riparian
areas, prairie or bog edges. Widespread, dominant understorey species throughout
the boreal coniferous and mixed-wood forests. Rhizomatous, herbaceous
perennial, to 70 cm high, forming extensive colonies. Stemless, flowering stems
and leaves arise directly from the rhizome; nudicaulis means naked stem. Leaves
ternate, each division 3–5 pinnately divided; leaflets lanceolate-elliptic, finely
toothed and about 15 cm long. Leaves go dormant in summer before fruits ripen.
Dioecious; flowers greenish-white, in globose umbels. Fruit a bluish-black drupe.
‘Possesses alterative properties and is used in decoction or syrup as a substitute
for sarsaparilla in all cases where an alterative is required. It is likewise used in
pulmonary diseases. Externally, a decoction of it has been found beneficial as a
wash in zona [shingles] and in indolent ulcers.’ [King 1898]
� No symptoms in MM.
ARALIA RACEMOSA
Scientific name Aralia racemosa L.
Common names American spikenard. Life-of-man. Small spikenard.
Petty-morel.
Family Araliaceae – order Apiales.
Homeopathy Aralia racemosa – Aral.
Botanical Features
� Rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial, with few-leaved stems, sometimes becoming
woody in basal part.
� Native range: Eastern North America.
� Habitat: Rich wooded slopes, ravines, shaded moist ledges and bluffs.
� Leaves ternate or 1–2-pinnate, rather stiff, both surfaces green.
� Flowers greenish-white, in umbels 12–30 cm across.
� Fruit a brown to purple drupe.
Medicinal Uses
‘Like other close relatives of ginseng, spikenard has shown an ability to stimulate
phagocytosis in white blood cells, increase interferon synthesis in infected
cells, and increase the capacity for metabolic stress in rats. 9I haven’t done too
much counselling with rats, but I can vouch for its helping human beings.] This
function of spikenard is sometimes adaptogenic, increasing mobilisation but
decreasing the metabolic costs of stress responses. This may mean [the jury is still
out] that moderate amounts of the tincture or tea on a regular basis can
strengthen someone with metabolic or chronic disease, whatever the type.
‘More prosaic but more predictable, spikenard is a first-class medicine for the
initial stages of bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchorrhoea . . . all that stuff we
© Saltire Books Ltd
Family ARALIACEAE 495