Red Root Spagyric

Red root is an indigenous shrub to the United States and has a long history in Native American medicine. For centuries, the root has been brewed as a tea to treat everything from colds, fevers, pneumonia, and digestive problems to toothaches and UTIs. During the American Revolution, it was used as a substitute for black tea for its similarity in taste, though it does not have caffeine. But despite its long history in the US, it’s a very underutilized plant in the modern herbal pharmacopoeia.

Red root is thought to stimulate the lymphatic system and support the spleen and immune system. It improves blood flow and inhibits pathogens. Red root is particularly useful after one has recovered from being sick but still feels rundown — it can help the body clear out any remnants of the illness that might stick around and prevent the body from healing fully. It can also help loosen up phlegm in the lungs, making it beneficial for common colds and other respiratory infections. It clears channels of dampness and boggy tissues from any number of conditions. 

Red root is helpful for complaints of ‘heavy limbs,’ or the sense of weightiness, fulness, or pressure in the pelvic area, for it’s thought to ‘pull’ interstitial fluids from the surrounding tissues to help it move along. With extended use, it can reduce cystic and fibrous conditions. It helps the body assimilate fat and encourages good digestion. 

Red root has many uses that address immediate concerns, such as treating shortness of breath, bloating, constipation, and digestive issues. Due to its slightly ‘drying’ nature, it’s important to drink extra water when taking red root to keep the body properly hydrated. 

Red root is contraindicated for those with blood clotting disorders or who are on anti-coagulant medications.