Partridgeberry
OTHER NAME(S): Checkerberry, Deerberry, Hive Vine, Mitchella Rampant, Noon Kie Oo Nah Yeah, One-Berry, Pain de Perdrix, Partridge berry, Running Box, Squaw Berry, Squaw Vine, Squawvine, Trébol de Invierno, Twinberry, Two-Eyed Berry, Winter Clover, Mitchella repens, Baya de perdiz, Mitchelle Rampante
Overview
Partridgeberry is an herb. The stem and leaves are used to make medicine.
People use partridgeberry for menstrual cramps, childbirth, sore nipples, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any uses. Taking partridgeberry by mouth may also be unsafe.
There isn’t enough information available to know how partridgeberry works.
There isn’t enough information available to know how partridgeberry works.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Anxiety.
- Diarrhea.
- Water retention (edema).
- Varicose veins.
- Insomnia.
- Heart failure and fluid build up in the body (congestive heart failure or CHF).
- Kidney failure.
- Liver failure.
- Menstrual cramps.
- Abnormally heavy bleeding during menstrual periods (menorrhagia).
- Absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea).
- A type of benign (non-cancerous) breast disease (fibrocystic breast disease).
- Vaginal discharge.
- Childbirth.
- Depression after childbirth (postpartum depression).
- Improving the flow of breast milk.
- To cause abortion.
- Nipple soreness, when applied directly.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of partridgeberry for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Partridgeberry is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in appropriate amounts.
When applied to the skin: There isn’t enough information to know whether it can be safely used on the skin.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Partridgeberry is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in appropriate amounts.
When applied to the skin: There isn’t enough information to know whether it can be safely used on the skin.
Pregnancy: It’s POSSIBLY UNSAFE to use partridgeberry if you are pregnant. There is some evidence that it might cause a miscarriage.
Breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if partridgeberry is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Partridgeberry overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of partridgeberry 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 partridgeberry. 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
- A Modern Herbal (Mrs.M.Grieve) website. Available at: https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/squawv85.html (Accessed 25 November 1999).
- Gardner Z, McGuffin M, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. 2nd Ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. 2013.
- Horner S and DeGolier T. Mitchella repens (Partridge Berry) contracts uterine smooth muscle in isolated mouse tissues. J Medicinal Plants Studies. 2021; 9(3): 123-128.
- Native American Ethnobotany DB. Mitchella Repens L. Available at: https://naeb.brit.org/uses/species/2494/. Accessed July 18, 2025.
- Sam W. Hitt Medicinal Plant Gardens. Partridge Berry. Available at : https://medicinalgardens.web.unc.edu/partridge-berry/. Accessed July 18, 2025.