Bleeding Heart

A genus of 35 species of perennial, terrestrial orchids, found in C and N America, Europe, and Asia, which are increasingly rare in the wild. They are choice plants for the rock garden or woodland border, but are slow-growing and often difficult to establish. Collecting slipper orchids from the wild for horticultural and medicinal purposes has been a major factor in their decline. Cypripedium is from the Greek Kypris, "Venus", and pedilon, "slipper", from the inflated shape of the flower lip. There are two kinds of yellow lady's slipper orchids in N America; the lesser yellow lady's slipper (C. parviflorum var. parviflorum syn. C. calceolus var. parviflorum) and the greater yellow lady's slipper (C. parviflorum var. pubescens). Both have similar uses. Claims that they are cultivated for medicinal use are mostly spurious, and stocks are largely wild-collected. They were used by native N Americans as tranquilizers, and listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1863 to 1916. Few medical herbalists now prescribe American valerian, preferring herbs such as Lavandula angustifolia (See, lavender) and Scutellaria laterifolia (See, Virginian scullcap), which have similar effects and are considerably cheaper.

Also known as lady's slipper because its delicate blooms look like a ballet slipper, this mildly stimulating and antispasmodic herb was used by Native Americans to calm nervous tension, ease cramps, and banish headaches. It has also been used to treat depression related to female problems. Unfortunately, nerve root has been overcollected to the point of near extinction and is now a protected species, making it difficult to find.

Rhizomatous perennial with 3-4 ovate-oblong leaves to 20cm (8in) long. Solitary flowers, about 8cm (3in) long, with yellow-green, twisted petals and a yellow lip, appear in early summer.


Common Name:
Bleeding Heart
Other Names:
American Valerian, Greater Yellow Lady's Slipper, Lady's Slipper, Nerve Root, Slipper Root, Venus Shoe, Yellow Lady's Slipper
Botanical Name:
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens syn. C. calceolus var. pubescens, C. pubescens var. pubescens.
Genus:
Cypripedium
Family:
Orchidaceae
Native Location:
N America
Cultivation:
Rich soil in an open, shady situation.
Propagation:
By division in spring; commercially, by seed sown under sterile laboratory conditions.
Harvest:
Rhizomes are lifted in autumn and dried for infusions, liquid extracts, powder, and tinctures.
Height:
30-60cm (12-24in)
Width:
23-40cm (9-16in)
Hardiness:
Z3-8
Parts Used:
Root, Rhizomes
Chemical Constituents:
  • Resin
  • Tannins
  • Volatile Acid
  • Volatile Oils
  • Properties:
    A pungent, bitter-sweet herb, with an unpleasant odor, similar to that of Valeriana officanilis (See, Common valerian). It relieves spasms and has sedative and tonic effects on the nervous system.
    Medicinal Uses:
    Internally for anxiety, nervous tension, insomnia, depression and tension headaches. Often combined with Avena sativa (See, oats) and Scutellaria lateriflora (See, Virginia scullcap) for anxiety.
    To treat nervousness, emotional tension, insomnia, diarrhea, and menstrual difficulties.
    Known Effects:
  • Irritates mucous membranes
  • Stimulates gastrointestinal tract
  • Increases perspiration

  • Miscellaneous Information:
  • Hairs on stems and leaves irritate body when touched
  • May produce skin eruptions similar to those caused by poison ivy
  • Possible Additional Effects:
  • Potential sedative to treat anxiety or restlessness
  • May increase perspiration
  • May help extract gas from intestinal tract
  • May relieve spasm in skeletal or smooth muscle
  • Typical Dose:
    A typical dose of nerve root may range from 2 to 4 gm of the dried root/rhizome mixed with 150 ml of boiling water, steeped for five to ten minutes and taken as a tea three times a day.
    Possible Side Effects:
    Nerve Root's side effects include hallucinations, restlessness, headache, and giddiness.
    Drug Interactions:
    Taking nerve root with these drugs may increase the risk of excessive sedation and mental depression and impairment:
    Alprazolam, (Apo-Alpraz, Xanax)
    Amitriptyline, (Elavil, Levate)
    Amoxapine, (Asendin)
    Bupropion, (Wellbutrin, Zyban)
    Buspirone, (BuSpar, Nu-Buspirone)
    Clonazepam, (Klonopin, Rivotril)
    Cyclobenzaprine, (Flexiril, Novo-Cycloprine)
    Desipramine, (Alti-Desipramine, Norpramin)
    Diazepam, (Apo-Diazepam, Valium)
    Diphenhydramine, (Benadryl Allergy, Nytol)
    Doxepin, (Sinequan, Zonalon)
    Fluoxetine, (Prozac, Sarafem)
    Fluphenazine, (Modecate, Prolixin)
    Flurazepam, (Apo-Flurazepam, Dalmane)
    Imipramine, (Apo-Imipramine, Tofranil)
    Lorazepam, (Ativan, Nu-Loraz)
    Metoclopramide, (Apo-Metoclop, Reglan)
    Midazolam, (Apo-Midazolam, Versed)
    Morphine Hydrochloride, (Morphine Hydrochloride)
    Morphine Sulfate, (Kadian, MS Contin)
    Nefazodone, (Serzone)
    Nortriptyline, (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)
    Olanzapine, (Zydis, Zyprexa)
    Oxazepam, (Novoxapam, Serax)
    Oxcarbazepine, (Trileptal)
    Prochlorperazine, (Compazine, Compro)
    Propoxyphene, (Darvon, Darvon-N)
    Quetiapine, (Seroquel)
    Risperidone, (Risperdal)
    Temazepam, (Novo-Temazepam, Restoril)
    Tramadol, (Ultram)
    Triazolam, (Apo-Triazo, Halcion)
    Zolpidem, (Ambien)
    Warnings and Precautions:
    Handling lady's slipper orchids may cause an allergic reaction.

    Don't take if you:
  • Are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan pregnancy in the near future.
  • Have any chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract, such as stomach or duodenal ulcers, reflux esophagitis, ulcerative colitis, spastic colitis, diverticulosis, or diverticulitis

  • Consult your doctor if you:
  • Take this herb for any medical problem that doesn't improve in 2 weeks (There may be safer, more effective treatments)
  • Take any medicinal drugs or herbs containing aspirin, laxatives, cold and cough remedies, antacids, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, supplements, other prescription or non-prescription drugs

  • Pregnancy:
    Don't use unless prescribed by your doctor.
    Breastfeeding:
    Don't use unless prescribed by your doctor.
    Infants and Children:
    Treating infants and children under 2 with any herbal preparation is hazardous.
    Others:
    None are expected if you are beyond childhood, under 45, not pregnant, basically healthy, take it only for a short time and do not exceed manufacturer's recommended dose.
    Storage:
  • Store in a cool, dry area away from direct light, but don't freeze.
  • Store safely out of reach of children.
  • Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change the action of the herb.

  • Safe Dosage:
    Consult your doctor for the appropriate dose for your condition.
    Toxicity:
    Rated relatively safe when taken in appropriate quantities for short periods of time.
    Adverse Reactions, Side Effects, or Overdose Symptoms:
    Signs and Symptoms What To Do

    Drowsiness Discontinue. Call doctor when convenient.
    Nausea or Vomiting Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Bibliography:
    Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pg 189
    Vitamins, Herbs, Minerals, & Supplements. The Complete Guide by H. Winter Griffith, MD Copyright©1998 Fisher Books pp.472-473