Introduction

This tall, herbaceous perennial was included by Linnaeus in the genus Veronica, but was later assigned by Nuttall to the genus Leptandra, a nomenclature followed by present-day botanists.

Black Root is a native of North America. It was introduced to European herbalism via the Seneca Indians. The slender, simple stem grows to a height of 2 to 5 feet from a horizontal, woody rootstock. The lanceolate, finely serrate leaves grow in whorls of four to seven; and the numerous white flowers grow in panicled spikes. The fruit is an oblong-ovate, flattened, many-seeded capsule. The root should be dug up in the autumn and stored for a year before use.

• Powerful purgative and emetic (fresh root!); also bitter, alterative, antiseptic, laxative, digestive system tonic, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, stimulates production of bile from gall bladder, liver relaxant.
• Has a long history of Native America usage to induce vomiting.
• Used internally for chronic constipation (often combined with Sweet flag and Goldenseal when accompanied by bloating and flatulence), indigestion related to liver disorders (often combined with dandelion and barberry), and for gall bladder inflammation (for gall bladder pain a poultice is applied over the affected area; also duodenal indigestion and chronic indigestion as a result of bile deficiency. Another combination which has been used for nonspecific liver problems is 1 oz Blackroot, 2 oz Goldenseal, 2 oz Senna, and 2 pints boiling water, combined and simmered until reduced to 1 pint; 2 tbsp were taken 3 or 4 times daily.
• Has been used to cleanse intestines and liver of excessive mucous (small doses are taken gradually as large doses are purgative).
• Has been used for enteritis and dysentery (combined with Rhubarb root (Rheum palmatum) and given in small doses of decoction every 3 hours).
• Has been combined with Quinine and Fringe tree to assist recovery from post-viral syndrome