Plant Profile: Pippsissewa

on
Pippsissewa
 (Chimaphilla umballata)

Family: PYROLACEAE / ERICACEAE

Energetics: Cooling.

Taste: Bitter. 

Tissue States: 

Systems Affected: Heart. Bladder. Small intestine. Spleen. 

Parts Used: Leaves

Key Components: Quinones (hydroquinones: arbutin & isohomoarbutin). Napthaquinones (Chimaphilin). Gum Resins. Renifolin. Flavonoids (quercetin). Triterpenes. Methyl salicylate. Tannins. 

Preparations & dosage: Decoction. 1 tbsp leaf simmered in 1 cup water. 

Actions: 
Foundational: Stimulant. Astringent. Bitter.
Primary: Diuretic. Alterative. Aperient.  

Uses:

  • UTI's with scanty, burning urine. 
  • Arthritis
  • Rheumatic complaints
  • Lymphatic stagnation. 


Combines well with: 
Urinary inflammation: 2 parts pipsissewa, 1 part uva ursi, 1/2 part marshmallow, 1/4 part ginger. 
Arthritis & rheumatic complaints: Decoct equal parts pipsissewa, Oregon grape root, Sarsparilla, Angelica Root & prickly ash, 1/2 part licorice. 

Identifying: 

Growing:
Harvesting:

Contraindications: Fresh plant can burn mucosa and the skin. 
Sources:
The Way of Herbs: Michael Tierra: Pg 178-179
The Earthwise Herbal: Volume 2: Matthew Wood. Pg 111-114

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