True Solomon’s Seal Rt. Eastern United States / Native

The “Barefoot” Herbalist, M.H. 108

5 / 7 / 2009

Approximately 1996 I planted 1 wild crafted True Solomon’s Seal plant in this planter and put in the corner of a small green house and for almost 12 years I had forgotten about it. On 5 / 7 / 2009 I was going to go to the woods and dig some plants when I remembered about this one and found it still sitting on the corner.

( INFO TAKEN FROM INTERNET SOURCES )

Solomon's Seal (polygonatum biflorum) is a medicinal herb that has diverse healing properties. It can be used as a herbal tincture (best use), salve, tea or supplement. As an alternative medicine, it gives relief, healing or mending to sports injuries and other acute injuries related to tendons, joints, ligaments, bones, bruises, connecting tissues, cartilage, osteoarthritis, etc. It also soothes and repairs gastrointestinal inflammation and injuries. It is effective for feminine issues, such as menstrual cramps, PMS, bleeding, and the like. Additionally, it is known to lower blood pressure, relieve dry coughs, and to increase concentration and mental clarity.

Many gardeners and nature lovers, especially those who saunter through woodland settings, are very familiar with Solomon's Seal, both the true and false varieties. Those who live in the eastern and mid-western United States readily recognize true Solomon's Seal as a common native.

True Solomon's Seal

Polygonatum biflorum Family: Ruscaceae Genus: Polygonatum Species: biflorum

Synonym: Polygonatum canaliculatum; Polygonatum commutatum; Polygonatum giganteum

Solomon's Seal is a lovely woodland perennial with native varieties in North America, Asia and Europe. It is native to most of the eastern and mid-western United States. It can grow up to two feet tall. Unfortunately, some areas may consider the plant invasive and obnoxious.

The plant consists of a single stem with many broad, ovate leaves with parallel veination arranged alternately along the length of it and clasping the base. The plant often grows in a slight arc and the flowers dangle from the leaf axils beneath the arc of the stem. (This gives the plant its folk name "sow's teats").

The flowers are small, white to pale yellowish green and tubular and occur in drooping clusters of two to five.

Blooming begins in April and continues through midsummer. The berries appear as the flowers fade and resemble a hard blue-black pea.

Note: True Solomon's Seal berries are inedible and poisonous!

About the Root

The root is a rhizome and it is said that the circular scar left by the stem after it breaks away from the root resembles the seal of Solomon of Hebrew folklore. (Also known as the Star of David.)

I was very surprised that the Solomon’s Seal had survived almost 12 years unattended. When I took the plants out, it appeared the roots had completely filled the container and the single plant had multiplied allot.

Counting all the new little plants, the one original wild crafted plant now numbered 40. Forty being a pretty cool number to begin with.

Some of the oldest plants had Large / old roots.

Trevor age 4 is posing with the cleaned Solomon’s Seal Roots and yesterdays Teasel Marker Roots. It is hard to imagine all of those roots were crammed into that

one original planter.

A good close up picture!

The surrounding woods have thousands upon thousands of Solomon’s Seal Plants.

The roots travel through near the surface of the soil shooting up new shoots. It is easy to see where each plant had been attached to the mother root.

Because the one plant multiplied into 40 plants and made it so I didn’t need to take a shovel to the woods to obtain a few plants for an experiment; I decided to save all 40 plants. So I removed 90% of the roots and saved all 40 plants. I think the number 40 I probably the most written ancient number, besides the numbers 108 and 7. If the plants had not numbered 40, I probably would not have bothered saving this very common woods herbs.

Back to the “original” little green house the 40 plants were returned. Once planted the 2 boxes were put down beneath the work table where the plants will receive shaded light for the years to come. I should return them to a wooded hillside someday, because I have no need to raise them.

With each local Native Herb, I like to keep a 1 gallon jar. I suggest these are “bragging” jars that look good on the shelf…makes others “think” I might have a clue about herbs!!!! It also leaves something for the boys to remember me by and

would look good in a herbal museum somday!

With Spring comes about 3 weeks of the sponge mushroom season. They are fun to hunt, especially when the large yellow sponges come up. I noticed years ago some of

the Asian people pay upwards of $35.00 per dried ounce for these American Mushrooms for health benefits. I have eaten them ever since I was little and enjoyed finding them all my life. I kept this years mushrooms to use as an experiment herbal

spray. Maybe I can discover the benefits the Asians know of that makes them willing to pay a fortune for what the poor folks just see as free food in the woods

each Spring.

My record find of mushrooms was about 15-18 years ago. Under a briar bush I found a 24 inch tall mushroom and an 18 inch and 14 inch and a few 10 inch

mushrooms all within 3 feet of each other. A few years after that I found some 10 inch mushrooms and since then, nothing larger than the ones pictured above.

If you have any questions or comments please contact: The “Barefoot” Herbalist, M.H. 108 Askmh108@earthlink.net