Western Herbalism
Marsh rosemary
Statice caroliniana
Also known as Ink-root, Sea-lavender, American thrift, Inkroot.
Marsh rosemary, botanically Limonium carolinianum, is a perennial salt-marsh plant of the eastern seaboard of North America, easily recognized by its basal rosette of thick spathulate leaves and its branched scapes of small lavender flowers. The thick, dark, intensely astringent root is the part used medicinally. It held a firm place in nineteenth century American folk and physiomedical practice as one of the strongest native astringents available, valued especially where tissue was described as relaxed or lacking tone.
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Chronic diarrhea
- Dysentery with mucoid or bloody stool
- Relaxed sore throat with visible congestion
- Aphthous ulcers and spongy gums
- Leucorrhea
- Uterine hemorrhage and menorrhagia
- Passive bleeding from mucous surfaces
- Prolapse with laxity of tissue
Specific indications
Chronic, watery diarrhea in a debilitated patient with lax, relaxed bowel tone rather than acute inflammation
A dark, relaxed, boggy throat or gum tissue that bleeds easily, calling for a strongly astringent gargle or mouthwash
Safety
Pregnancy: Not recommended in pregnancy due to the absence of modern safety data and its traditional use as a strong uterine styptic, which could theoretically affect uterine tissue.
Breastfeeding: Avoid during lactation given the lack of modern safety data.
The record lists 5 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
In practice
Physiomedical writers reached for marsh rosemary root when the tissue picture was one of laxity and relaxation rather than acute heat or inflammation: a boggy, bleeding gum, a relaxed sore throat, a chronic watery diarrhea in a weakened constitution.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Decoction of dried root | 2-4 g dried root simmered in 250 mL water, taken in divided doses through the day | 2000-4000 mg |
| Tincture (1:5, 40%) | 1-2 mL three times daily | 1-2 mL |
| Topical gargle or mouthwash | Strong decoction used undiluted, several times daily as needed | |
| Dose one to two grains | 64.8-130 mg | |
| From two to five drops are given as a dose, in some demulcent | 0.04-0.1 mL | |
| A tincture of the fresh root (℥viii to alcohol, 98 per cent, Oj) may be given in doses of from 1 to 20 drops. | 0.02-0.4 mL |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
Clinical Notes. Physiomedical writers reached for marsh rosemary root when the tissue picture was one of laxity and relaxation rather than acute heat or inflammation: a boggy, bleeding gum, a relaxed sore throat, a chronic watery diarrhea in a weakened constitution.
Properties and Uses. The root is large, hard, and of a reddish-brown color, of an intensely astringent character, containing a large percentage of tannin. Its action much resembles that of geranium, but is more intense; and may be used in the same general classes of cases, as chronic dysentery and diarrhea, aphthous ulcerations, putrid sore throat, leucorrhea, local hemorrhages, etc.
Properties and Uses. This root is prominently and almost acridly stimulant, with a fair portion of relaxant influence, of much power, acting with much persistency. Large doses prove cathartic, and sometimes emetic, acting slowly, and leaving a burning sensation through the stomach and bowels.
Description. Natural Order, Plumbaginaceae. Maritime herbs with perennial roots and an annual flower-scape. Leaves radical, oblong, spathulate, petioled, erect, thick, tipped with a deciduous bristly point. Scape round, smooth, erect, branched, six to eighteen inches high. Flowers loosely spiked on one side of the branches, two to three-bracted; calyx funnel-form, dry, membranous, persistent, five-parted; corolla of five long-clawed petals, lavender-colored; stamens five, on the claws of the corolla. An inhabitant of salt marshes from New England southward. August and September.
Drawn from Cook's Physio-Medical Dispensatory; King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd), and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.
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