{"id":9064,"date":"2021-08-13T21:00:32","date_gmt":"2021-08-13T21:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wondermentgardens.com\/?p=9064"},"modified":"2021-08-20T02:59:42","modified_gmt":"2021-08-20T02:59:42","slug":"true-solomons-seal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wondermentgardens.com\/true-solomons-seal\/","title":{"rendered":"Herbal Interlude – True Solomon’s Seal"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
I first became familiar with True Solomon\u2019s Seal through a discussion with a friend We were talking about herbs to help relieve prolapsed organs. She suggested Solomon\u2019s Seal root because of its uncanny ability to manage tendons and ligaments, whether too tight or too loose. (more about this later)\u00a0 I was intrigued and set about developing a relationship with the plant, one I am happy to say is nicely blooming.<\/p>
There isn\u2019t much written about this amazing plant. Why, I don\u2019t know. There are over 50 varieties of Solomon\u2019s seal all over the world and several traditional healing modalities familiar with it. You would think everyone would want to use it. I suppose it is a good thing that It is not that well known. If it were, wild supplies would be dwindling. Yet, you do not have to wildcraft this plant because it grows readily in the garden.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Solomon\u2019s seal is a member of the Lily family and a close relative of Lily of the Valley.\u00a0 It is native to lightly wooded areas of North America, Europe, and Asia. In North America, Solomon\u2019s Seal ranges from eastern woodlands, into the Midwest. It can be found as far west as the Rocky Mountains, although False Solomon\u2019s Seal is more likely found in the Rockies in my experience.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t This plant has slightly zigzagging, singular stems 18 to 24 inches long, emerging from creeping white rootstalks called rhizomes.\u00a0 Rhizomes are a special kind of roots that are more like underground stems.\u00a0 In this case the stems are thick, white, twisted, and full of knots, resembling arthritic hands or a twisted spine.\u00a0 The roots (or rhizomes) have circular scars at predictable intervals where leaf stems emerged in the past.\u00a0<\/p> The stems begin straight, bending into a graceful arc about \u00bd way to the end. Leaves begin somewhere along the way. \u00a0They are pale green, broadly oval, alternate, and clasping with longitudinal ribbing. The flowers originate at the leaf axils, appearing in drooping clusters of 2 to 7 flowers. The flowers are small, tubular in shape and resemble little bowling pins. \u00a0\u00a0They are creamy or waxy white in color with yellow or green at top (or lower portion) and droop the opposite direction from the leaves.<\/p> The berries are small, about the size of a pea, and of a dark blackish\/blueish color. Each berry contains 3 to 4 seeds.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t True Solomon’s Seal<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t False Solomon’s Seal<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Correct identification is important whenever wildcrafting medicinal herbs. In this case, True Solomon\u2019s Seal must be differentiated from False Solomon\u2019s Seal (Smilacina racmosa.) Both grow in the same places, sometimes next to each other, both have a similar appearance, with similar leaves and roots.\u00a0<\/p> The flowers and fruit are the easiest way to tell them apart. The Flowers of True Solomon\u2019s Seal appear at the leaf joints and are drooping, and bell-shaped. The flowers of the false appear in little terminal clusters of white starlike flowers at the end of the stalk. True Solomon\u2019s seal has blue\/blackish berries, the false\u2019s berries are red. At first glance, the leaves and roots even look the same. But the leaves of the true wrap or fold around the stem while the false arises from a single node on the stem. The roots of the false has smaller rhizomes than the true, although, the resemblance to twisted knuckles and vertebrae is the same. They both have seals on the roots.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t The root is collected in the fall, after berries have dropped. It is then either processed into a tincture or dried for use as a decoction. The roots may also be used fresh to treat bruises, strains, sprains, and other wounds.<\/p> Astringent, Nutrient (The Native Americans harvested the roots for food,) demulcent, tonic, restorative, anti-inflammatory, and laxative.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Solomon\u2019s Seal is sweet, moistening, cool, restoring, dissolving, and relaxing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Although not referred to such in the literature, Solomon\u2019s Seal seems a perfect example of an herbal trophorestorative<\/a>.\u00a0 An herbal trophorestorative is a \u201csmart herb\u201d that brings the body to harmony in whatever area for which it has an affinity. Solomon\u2019s Seal seems to do just that. With affinities to the muscular-skeletal system, digestive, and respiratory systems, this herb seems to strengthen weakness and soften excess as it tones and heals all around.\u00a0<\/p> Solomon\u2019s Seal is well indicated when dryness or general weakness and irritability is at the root of the inflammation. Its use helps sooth local nervous tissue while providing a solid strengthening action.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Popular herbalist Jim McDonald says that Solomon\u2019s Seal is without a doubt the most useful remedy he knows for treating injuries of the muscular-skeletal system. Matthew Wood in his Book of Herbal Wisdom<\/em> says, \u201cSolomon\u2019s Seal has the intelligence to heal bone in the right place.\u201d The more I use and study this herb, the more valuable and versatile it becomes.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t First, this herb has the remarkable ability to restore proper tension to ligaments, whether too tight or too loose. It feeds and lubricates ligaments, tendons, and muscle attachments, resulting in stronger and more harmonious functioning. It helps calcify bones, making them stronger, while also decalcifying excess to remove unhealthy deposits (like bone spurs and bunions.) Solomon\u2019s Seal is useful when treating broken bone, injured tendons, misalignments, tendonitis, arthritis due to dryness in the joints, \u201cslipped\u201d or herniated discs, general abdominal, uterine, and rectal prolapse and for treating sports related injuries of all kinds.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p> Think of using Solomon\u2019s Seal both before resorting to medical treatments like surgery and as a supportive therapy after such medical interventions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Solomon\u2019s Seal works to decrease mucus discharges with a gentle tonic action that is well employed in cases of chronic and sub-acute irritation and weakness. Historically, it has been used to heal stomach and intestinal complaints, to treat tuberculosis in the lungs, and to loosen mucus in the lungs for dry coughs.<\/p> Solomon\u2019s Seal acts as a mucilaginous tonic that is both tonic and restorative to the mucous membranes of the entire digestive system. It is an excellent choice for the treatment of intestinal inflammation, chronic and acute dysentery, piles, or hemorrhoids and even worms.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t The herb has a strong history of use as a cosmetic to remove unwanted blemishes, heal damaged skin. If you think about it, this makes sense. Mucous membranes are an internal kind of skin. Usually when a substance brings harmony to the inside, it usually has similar favorable effects on the outside, thus, healing and protecting the skin.\u00a0<\/p> As an external healing agent, Solomon\u2019s Seal is particularly helpful as a remedy for bacterial skin infections effecting the upper dermis layer of the skin. These kinds of conditions, including poison ivy, are usually hot, itchy, and uncomfortable.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t The powdered root is used for skin rashes, as a poultice for bruises, black eyes, inflammation, and to heal wounds and tumors. Nicholas Culpeper, 19th<\/sup> century herbalist, writes, \u201cSolomon\u2019s Seal is healing for wounds, hurts, and outward sores. It will close the lips of sores that are green.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Some find Solomon\u2019s Seal useful for those who need a little help being flexible and graceful when expectations don\u2019t match up with realities. At these times, the herb is said to offer the feeling of being firmly grounded and secure. Even when things are changing fast, and the outside world is not going as we\u2019d like. As a medicine, it may be a nice support.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mix individually prepared herbal tinctures.<\/p> Dosage suggestion \u2013 5 to 7 drops several times throughout the day<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t The berries are toxic and should not be taken.<\/p> Higher doses of Solomon\u2019s Seal may interact with diabetic medications causing low blood sugar.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tDescription<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Solomon Seal Look Alike \u2013 True or False<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Part Used, Preparation and Dosage<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Medicinal Actions<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Energetically <\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Medicinal Use of True Solomon\u2019s Seal<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Muscular-Skeletal actions <\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Digestive System\/Mucous Membranes\/Lungs<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Skin and external use of Solomon\u2019s Seal<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Other Uses<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Solomon\u2019s Seal Recipes<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Possible recipe for acute connective tissue issues (like a herniated disc or sports injury) \u2013 From Jim McDonald<\/h6>
Contra-Indications\/toxicity<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Further Reading<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tHealing the causes of suffering – A four-step model for healing\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t