Collinsonia root is a strong smelling herb that has been used in traditional American medicine for thousands of years.
Also known as stone root, collinsonia root was traditionally used for urinary and reproductive issues, symptomatic hemorrhoids, and as a diuretic.
This article will look at the health benefits of collinsonia root, its safety, and its history.
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What is Collinsonia Root?
Collinsonia root is the pungent rhizome of the richweed plant. This plant is known for its disagreeable odor.
The scientific name for stone root is Collinsonia canadensis. Collinsonia root is an ancient herb that was and is frequently used by indigenous North Americans.
In traditional medicine, collinsonia root works to support urinary complications and act as a diuretic. Traditional accounts also suggest that collinsonia root can help to soothe the vocal cords. It is said that the leaves can be taken to induce vomiting.
Modern accounts show that collinsonia root supports the “mucosa” of the throat, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary tract. These benefits are attributed to the active constituents present in stone root, including saponins and flavonoids.
Collinsonia root was mainly used in the ancient medical systems of North America. The rhizomes were used for internal issues, while the leaves were used as a poultice for bruises, wounds, external ulcers, and burns.
While there is very little scientific evidence surrounding collinsonia root, numerous traditional accounts summarize the many purported benefits of collinsonia root.
Health Benefits of Collinsonia Root:
Traditional medicine systems and modern herbalists have observed a variety of collinsonia root benefits. Below are the top expert accounts from traditional and professional herbalists that describe the health benefits of collinsonia root and its active constituents.
1. May Support the Urinary System
Traditional evidence shows that collinsonia root may have promising supportive effects on the genitourinary system.
The genitourinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, and is responsible for filtering blood and secreting toxic waste through urine. In order to remove these toxic byproducts, all organs need to be functioning optimally.
Traditional accounts mention that the Native American Iroquois tribe used collinsonia root in individuals with kidney issues. This could result from stone root’s action as a diuretic, which works to increase urine flow in order to remove excess water from the body. Further, these accounts suggest that modern herbalists may use stone root to treat urinary tract pain.
AHG registered herbalist, David Hoffmann, mentions Collinsonia canadensis as a natural remedy for “the treatment and prevention of stone and gravel [kidney stones] in the urinary system and gallbladder.” He continues by saying that collinsonia root is also beneficial for kidney stone relief.
Revered herbalist Maud Grieve, mentions in her herbal text A Modern Herbal that stone root is helpful for “catarrh of the bladder [inflammation of the bladder], gravel [kidney stones], and…complaints of urinary organs.” She writes that a decoction of the fresh root is the best herbal remedy to soothe these issues.
19th-century physicians, Dr. Felter and Dr. Lloyd, write in their medical text the King’s American Dispensatory that the use of Collinsonia canadensis is “not without beneficial results in toning the renal organs and allaying irritation consequent upon the presence of gravel.” This suggests that collinsonia root helps reduce irritation in the kidneys.
Summary:
Herbalists state that collinsonia root may work to support the genitourinary system, however, human clinical research is required to confirm this finding.
2. May Prevent Hemorrhoids
Respected herbalists and traditional accounts claim that collinsonia root may help reduce and eliminate hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are the enlargement and inflammation of rectal veins. They can occur internally or externally and often cause pain, discomfort, and occasional bleeding.
In his herbal text Medical Herbalism, herbalist David Hoffmann describes collinsonia root as an herb historically used for hemorrhoids and “pain in the rectum.”
The American Botanical Council recommends using collinsonia root for reducing inflammation associated with symptomatic hemorrhoids. They suggest that the active anti-inflammatory compounds found in Collinsonia canadensis, like flavonoids and saponins, may be responsible for soothing hemorrhoids.
Herbalist M. Grieve describes that stone root is supportive when there are “complaints of the rectum.” Eclectic physicians, Dr. Felter and Dr. Lloyd, mention that collinsonia root is “useful…in hemorrhoids where there is rectal irritation.” They go on to describe Collinsonia canadensis as one of the main herbs for a “hemorrhoidal and constipated state due to vascular engorgement [inflammed veins] of the pelvic viscera [organs in the pelvic region].”
Summary:
Herbalists say that collinsonia root may benefit hemorrhoids by reducing pain and inflammation. Clinical studies are needed for verification.
3. May Support Larynx Issues
Traditional evidence shows that collinsonia root may benefit upper respiratory tract problems by supporting particular ailments of the larynx.
The larynx is made of cartilage and is part of the respiratory tract. It protects the lower respiratory tract from breathing in food while eating and contains the vocal cords, otherwise known as the vocal box.
Research suggests that the active constituents present in stone root may be responsible for the mucosa-soothing properties of this herb. Mucosa is the mucous membrane that lines organs while protecting and lubricating them.
Maude Grieve writes that there is mucilage in the roots, which may be responsible for the soothing action stone root has on the mucosa. Mucilage is a thick, gooey, and cooling substance present in some herbs.
In the King’s American Dispensatory, Felter and Lloyd write that this herb hi