Snakeroot
- Eupatorium rugosum L.
- Composite family
Common Names
 White
snakeroot
Parts Usually Used
Root, leaves
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
A variable perennial; 2-5 feet tall. Leaves opposite, on slender
stalks; somewhat heart-shaped, toothed. Flowers are white, in branched
clusters; blossoms in July to October.
Do not mistake white snakeroot for black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
sometimes called black snakeroot. Senega snakeroot (Polygala senega
L.) is of the milkwort family; black sanicle (Sanicula marilandica
L.) is called snakeroot and is of the parsley family; Virginia snakeroot
(Aristolochia serpentaria L.) is of the birthwort family. Each of
these have the name snakeroot attached to them but they are not the
white snakeroot reported on here (Eupatorium rugosum) of the composite
family. Seneca and Virginia snakeroot are poisonous.
Where Found
Thickets. Quebec to Georgia; Texas to North Dakota.
Uses
Native Americans used root tea for ague, diarrhea,
painful urination, fevers, "gravel"
(kidney stones); poultice for snakebites.
Smoke of the burning herb used to revive unconscious patients.
Warning
"Milk sickness", with weakness and nausea, may result from consuming
the milk of cows that have grazed on this plant. It is considered
toxic. Do not use without medical supervision.
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