Life root

Senecio aureus

One of the largest genera of flowering plants, Senecio includes more than 2,000 species, several of which have been important in the garden or the dispensary. One of these is life root, a native North American species that has long been used to treat an assortment of gynecological complaints. Indian women found life root helpful in childbirth, taking it to speed up a protracted labor. Similarly, 19th-century herbalists set great store by life root as a "female regulator," using it to treat a host of disorders from leucorrhea (vaginal discharge) and menstrual problems to various irregularities connected with menopause. Before the introduction of chemical substances into modern medicine, a case of tuberculosis was tantamount to a death sentence, and in the early stages of the disease life root was believed to afford relief. A teaspoonful of the fluid extract in water was supposed to have a tonic effect on those suffering from the disease. Herbalists also prescribed life root for the treatment of urinary tract problems such as kidney stones.

Life root, also known as golden senecio, ragwort, false valerian, and squaw weed is a perennial herb with bright yellow flower heads belonging to the family Asteraceae. Life root grows in swampy grounds and moist thickets throughout the eastern and central United States. Actually, the entire dried plant, not just the root, was used as a medication. In 1979, it was still one of the principal ingredients in that famous old proprietary remedy Lydia Pinkham's Vegetable Compound. Small but readily detectable quantities (0.006%) of the toxic alkaloid senecionine are now known to be present in life root. Senecionine belongs to the group of hepatotoxic (poisonous to the liver) pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are effective in inducing chronic disease in rats with one, or at most a few doses. A strong possibility exists that such alkaloids are involved in human liver diseases including primary liver cancer. For this reason, it is not useful to discuss in detail the therapeutic potential of life root or the desirability of self-medicating with it for conditions in which it may be effective. Because of the presence of senecionine, the medication is simply not safe to use. Its employment in herbal medicine should be discontinued as was its use many years ago, in more conventional therapy.

Other names

• Cocashweed
• Coughweed
• False Valerian
• Golden Ragwort
• Golden Senecio

Parts used

Dried aerial parts.

Uses

As a uterine tonic life root may be used safely wherever strengthening and aid are called for. Life root is especially useful in cases of menopausal disturbances of any kind. Where there is delayed or suppressed menstruation, life root may be used. For leucorrhoea life root can be used as a douche. Life root also has a reputation as a general tonic for debilitated states and conditions such as tuberculosis.

Habitat & cultivation

Native to eastern North America, life root is found in marshes, on damp ground, and on riverbanks. The aerial parts are gathered in summer.

Constituents

Life root contains a volatile oil, pyrrolizidine alkaloids (including senecine, senecionine, and otosenine), tannins, and resin. In isolation, the pyrrolizidine alkaloids are highly toxic to the liver.

How much to take

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 - 3 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10 - 15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
Tincture: take 1 - 4 ml of the tincture three times a day.

Collection & harvesting

The herb should be collected just before the small flowers open in the summer.

Combinations

For menopausal problems life root may usefully be combined with St. John's wort, oats or pasque flower.

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