Adam and Eve Root

This spring blooming plant has purple flowers mixed with brown and white grows from two bulbs from which a centralized spike like stem grows from it will have several flowers to one stem anywhere from 3 to 13. It's a very rare plant and should not be gathered regularly. In some states this is a protected member of the Orchid Family.
Commonly known as puttyroot, or ta li, tsi ge yu i in Cherokee, Adam and Eve root was used in ceremonial Medicine for joining a man and woman. This element of the wedding ceremony is still used today. The dried root would be placed in the right hand of the Medicine man or beloved elder. The Medicine man would shake that hand. As the tradition is described, the couple will stay together if the root pieces come together in the Medicine man's hand. If the root pieces did not come together, one of the seven chosen counselors would work with the couple, or the man and woman "would be separated until they found their love".
If the root pieces joined in the Medicine man's hand, the larger corm would be given to the woman to keep in her Medicine bag, and the smaller corm was given to the man in the joining ceremony. The corms would be placed in a wedding bowl, a potter vessel with two openings, with prayers for the coming together and staying together. The ceremony was intended to be a reminder that it takes both corms, or two people, "to make up Adam and Eve", just as the Eagle feather has two energies for balance", as one elder put it. Adam and Eve root is a member of the Orchid family.
As a South Medicine, the bulb and root were used to treat boils and "stuborn sores".
It is used as North Medicine for addressing bronchial and pulmonary problems. This bulb is found in moist woods; the flowers are in a purplish spike. The name "Adam and Eve root" is reflective of the two bulbs — one small and one larger — connected at the single leaf and stem. The flowers which bloom in the spring, are purplish mixed with yellow, brown, and white.

Common Name:	Adam and Eve Root
Botanical Name:	Aplectrum hyemale
Other Names:	Putty Root ta li, tsi ge yu i(Cherokee)
Habitat:	This rare plant can be found in wooded areas.
Medicinal Uses:	The Root of this plant can be used in a poultice that can be applied to boils. A tea made from 2 tbps of the ground dried root to 1 cup of boiling water can be used to ease the symptoms of bronchitis.
Cherokee Medicine Direction:	East, South, North
Magickal Representation:	Fidelity, Fertility, Love, Handfasting, Beltane Ceremonies
Preparation and Dosage:	Crush and Ground the root into a powder form and apply directly to boils as a poultice. 2 tbsp of dried root finally ground to 1 cup boiling water to ease symptoms of bronchitis discontinue once symptoms have let up.
Parts Used:	Root only
Location:	North America
Classification:	Herb
Bibliography:	The Cherokee Herbal ~ J.T. Garrett © 2003 J.T.Garret pp 55, 112, 205 Earth Notes Herb Library © 2000 by Ernestina Parziale, CH