Nerve Root
OTHER NAME(S): American Valerian, Bleeding Heart, Cypripède Acaule, Cypripède Rose, Lady's Slipper, Moccasin Flower, Monkey Flower, Noah's Ark, Sabot de Vénus, Sabot de la Vierge, Shoe, Slipper Root, Venus' Shoe, Yellows, Cypripedium parviflorum, Cypripedium pubescens, Cypripedium calceolus, Ladyslipper, Ladys Slipper, Venus Shoe, Nerveroot, Cypripedium, Cypripède Acaule
Overview
Nerve root is a plant that many people recognize as "lady's slipper". There are many different species of "lady's slipper", but nerve root is the most common one found in the U.S.
Nerve root is used for anxiety, insomnia, stress, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Nerve root might also be unsafe when taken in large amounts.
Nerve root might act as a drying agent to help shrink blood vessels.
Nerve root might act as a drying agent to help shrink blood vessels.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- A type of anxiety marked by episodes of intense fear (panic disorder).
- A type of persistent anxiety marked by exaggerated worry and tension (generalized anxiety disorder or GAD).
- Abnormally heavy bleeding during menstrual periods (menorrhagia).
- Anxiety.
- Diarrhea.
- Emotional distressed caused by extreme focus on a physical symptom (somatic symptom disorder).
- Insomnia.
- Itching of the vagina.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Stress.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of nerve root for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Nerve root is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for most people when taken by mouth. Taking large amounts of nerve root might cause hallucinations, giddiness, restlessness, headache, and other side effects.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if nerve root is safe. It might cause a rash in some people.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Nerve root is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for most people when taken by mouth. Taking large amounts of nerve root might cause hallucinations, giddiness, restlessness, headache, and other side effects.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if nerve root is safe. It might cause a rash in some people.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's POSSIBLY UNSAFE to take nerve root if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Nerve Root overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of nerve root depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for nerve root. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Liu, D., Ju, J. H., Zou, Z. J., Lin, G., and Yang, J. S. Isolation and structure determination of cypritibetquinone A and B, two new phenanthraquinones from Cypripedium tibeticum. Yao Xue.Xue.Bao. 2005;40(3):255-257.
- Schmalle, H. and Hausen, B. M. A new sensitizing quinone from lady slipper (Cypripedium calceolus). Naturwissenschaften 1979;66(10):527-528.
- Shefferson RP, Weiss M, Kull T, Taylor DL. High specificity generally characterizes mycorrhizal association in rare lady's slipper orchids, genus Cypripedium. Mol Ecol. 2005;14(2):613-26.