Tag Archives: Corallorhiza

Corallorhiza maculata | Coral root | Medicinal Uses

View photos of the medicinal plant Corallorhiza maculata (Coral root), profiled in Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States.

A passage from Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States:

Insomnia, anxiety, and mental agitation, especially if connected to overwork and exhaustion indicate Coral root. Its central nervous system sedation is somewhat broad: it affects cerebral states of unrest as well as muscular tension.

Coral root is an Orchid, though not a particularly showy one. Most Orchids are not prolific propagators, even in optimal settings (numerous states list varying species of Coral root on threatened/protected lists). Given the plant’s inherent environmental fragility and all the other modern day factors (habitat loss, etc.) do be sure that there is a sizable quantity in your area before collecting. Some forest sections will have well established large stands, others will have only a sparse population. Take a couple of plants from a healthy stand. If only several are encountered in a local area, it’s probably is best to visually admire them only.