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Lady's Slipper Herb - Uses And Side Effects

Native American healers used yellow lady's slipper to treat flu, hysteria, and certain other illnesses. Today, lady's slipper is combined with another herb, valerian root (Valerian officinalis), in products that claim to have calming effects.

Lady's Slipper , also known as American Valerian, Moccasin Flower, Nerve Root, Noah's Ark, Two Lips, and Virgin's Shoe, is a perennial herb that is native to the United States and Canada. It is considered rare in its native North America, but it is cultivated for medicinal use in Eastern Europe. Native Americans used Lady's Slipper in love potions and to induce dreams.

Common doses of lady's slipper

Yellow lady's slipper comes as liquid extract, powdered root, dried rhizome (underground stem), teas, and tinctures. Some experts recommend the following doses:

• As dried rhizome or root, 2 to 4 grams taken orally three times daily.
• As liquid extract, 2 to 4 milliliters (I: 1 water and 45% alcohol) taken orally three times daily.

Uses of lady's slipper

Lady's Slipper is still used in the treatment of stress, especially in cases of mild depression. It is also of used if fighting insomnia and anxiety. Specifically, lady's slipper may help to :-

• As a mild hypnotic or sedative
• Epilepsy
• Headache
• Hysteria
• Muscle spasms
• "Nervous depression" caused by stomach disorders
• Nervousness
• Sharp, stabbing pains

Side effects of lady's slipper

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of yellow lady's slipper:

• giddiness
• restlessness
• headache
• skin inflammation
• mental excitement leading to hallucinations

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Don't use lady's slipper while taking:

• Larodopa
• Permax
• Requip

Important points to remember

• Don't use lady's slipper if you have plant allergies.
• Avoid lady's slipper if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
• If you're bothered by headaches or have a history of mental illness, don't take this herb without consulting your health care practitioner.
• Don't drive or perform other activities that require alertness until you lmow how lady's slipper affects you.

What the research shows

Researchers haven't adequately studied lady's slipper in people. Consequently, medical experts don't recommend this herb for
any therapeutic use.

Other names for lady's slipper : -

Other names for lady's slipper include American valerian, moccasin flower, nerveroot, Noah's ark, whippoorwill's shoe, and yellow Indian shoe.

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