Common Names

Alum
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Parts Usually Used

Root, leaves
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Alumroot is a perennial that grows to 1-3 feet; the leaves are toothed, roundish to somewhat maple-shaped, base heart-shaped. The flowers are small, greenish white, on short stalks; April to June. Another variety: Another plant called alum root (Geranium maculatum) is also called storksbill, but in fact has no relation to Heuchera americana.
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Where Found

Woods, shaded rocks. Southern Ontario, Connecticut to Georgia; Oklahoma to Michigan.
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Medicinal Properties

Styptic, astringent
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Biochemical Information

9 to 20% tannins and various unidentified substances
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Legends, Myths and Stories

Not to be confused with cranesbill (Geranium maculatum) often called alumroot.

Native American uses: Alum root (Heuchera glabella) the Blackfeet called "Apos I poco," the root was steeped for eye-wash. Another plant, (Huechera parvifolia), also called alum root, the root was pounded up and used wet to apply to sores and swellings.
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Uses

Leaf tea used for diarrhea, dysentery, piles; gargled for sore throat. Root poulticed on wounds, sores, abrasions. Good for gastroenteritis, stomach flu, and dry bilious vomiting, douche for leukorrhea, vaginitis.
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Formulas or Dosages

For dysentery, a cup of infusion may be taken every 2 hours until the symptoms have stopped. No more than 15-20 gms. of the powdered root should be taken at a time.
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Warning

Excessive use can cause gastric irritation and kidney and liver failure.
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Bibliography

• Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss; pgs., 87, 706.
• Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke, pg., 210.
• Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., pgs., 332, 334-335.
• Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, pgs., 10, 11, 103.
• American Folk Medicine, by Clarence Meyer, pg., 283.
• Indian Uses of Native Plants, by Edith Van Allen Murphey, pgs., 39, 43, 49, 53.
• Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, pg., 41.
• How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine & Crafts, by Frances Densmore, pg., 295.
• The Rodale Herb Book, edited by William H. Hylton, pgs., 68, 86.
• The Yoga of Herbs, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, pgs., 25, 52.

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