DRAGON ROOT Arum triphyllum, L.( N. O.: Araceae)
Common Names: Wake Robin, Jack in the Pulpit, Dragon’ s Root. Features: Found in damp localities of North and South America; the whole plant is acrid, but the root is the only part employed. It is of various sizes, turnip-shaped, dark and corrugated externally, and milk white and mealy within, seldom exceeding 2½ in. in diameter; the leaves are generally one or two, standing on long, sheathing footstalks; oval and pale on the inside. The flower looks much like the funnel-shaped lily, except the Jack in the pulpit has straight veins coming from the base of the flower, extending through to the tip end. The root when first dug is too fiercely acrid for internal use; it will leave a burning impression on the tongue, lips and fauces, like a severe scalding, followed by inflammation and tenderness, which, however, may be somewhat mollified by milk. The root dispenses its biting reputation with age, and should always be used when partially dried. Contains volatile acrid principle, starch, fat, gum, resin, calcium oxalate. When the acrid matter is driven off by heat, the root yields a pure delicate, amylaceous matter resembling arrowroot, very white and nutritious. Medicinal Part: The dry root. Bodily Influence: Stimulant, Expectorant, Diaphoretic. Uses: Due to the aggressive influence on the mucous cells Dragon root should only be employed by persons understanding both patient and medication. If there is no excess of mucus, your unqualified deed could endanger the life of alimentation( the act of giving or receiving nutritional material into the body). Helpful in certain asthma complaints, whooping cough, chronic bronchitis, chronic rheumatism, pains in the chest, colic, low stage of typhus, and general debility. Amount: 10 grains of grated root in syrup or mucilage, three or four times a day. Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture of fresh tuber or corn— Brain( inflammation of), Clergyman’ s sore throat, Delirium, Diphtheria, Glandular swellings, Headache, Jaw joint( painful), Mouth( sore), Scarlatina, Tongue( cracked), Typhoid fever, Voice( hoarse).