Introduction

The plant has a four-sided stem, from 1 to 4 feet in height, and bears large, greenish-yellow flowers. It grows in moist woods and flowers from July to September. The rhizome is brown-grey, about 4 inches long, knobby, and very hard. The whole plant has a strong, disagreeable odour and a pungent and spicy taste. The chief virtue of the plant is in the root, which should always be used fresh.

• Tonic (for capillaries and digestive system), astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, sedative, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antilithic, vulnerary, hepatic tonic, peripheral vasodilator, alterative.
• Decoction of the fresh root used for catarrh of the bladder, for leucorrhea, gravel and dropsy.
• Useful in all complaints of the urinary organs and rectum. Once a popular hemorrhoid remedy. For hemorrhoids a salve is made using equal parts Goldenseal and Stoneroot with a small amount of Thuja oil or Tea tree oil. Also used for spasms or fissures of the rectum.
• Used externally (especially the leaves) as poultices and fomentations for bruises, wounds, sores, cuts and as a gargle (1 part fluid extract to 3 parts water).
• Used internally for kidney and urinary stones, cystitis, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis.. Combined with Parsley piert, Gravel root, Pellitory of the Wall or Hydrangea for stones and gravel in the urinary system and gall bladder, not only to treat, but for prevention as well.
• Used for indigestion accompanied by constipation. Used to relieve muscle spasms especially of the digestive tract. Also used for headaches caused by poor digestion.
• Used to strengthen weak veins (ie. varicose).
• Tones and improves mucous membranes and especially those of the pelvic area. Useful when circulation to the pelvis is insufficent and accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in that area.
• The name Clergyman's Friend comes from the ability to help sore or hoarse throats (as gargle or tincture added to honey and taken 4 or 5 times daily). Formerly, a syrup was used for inflammation of the throat (ie.laryngitis, chronic cough) and for middle ear problems.
• Also used for headache, chronic bronchitis, colic, cramps, dropsy, indigestion, problems of pregnancy, proctitis, pruritus vulvae, and rheumatism.
• Externally, the leaves are used as a fomentation and poultice for bruises, sprains, wounds, inflammations, contusions, cuts, ulcers, sores and also made into an ointment for rectal application.
• Native Americans used the root and leaves as a wash for cuts and wounds.