Hackelia virginiana
- Origin
- North America
- Part used
- Seeds/fruits
- Tradition
- Traditional ethnobotany
Hackelia virginiana, sometimes called "beggar's lice" or "stickseed" by English-speaking herbalists, is an unassuming plant of North American woodlands, better known for its clinging fruits than for a rich tradition of use. Indigenous peoples and settlers made limited use of it, passed down mostly orally and in fragments, which today calls for particular caution in its use.
Traditional uses
Before you use it
Scientific and ethnobotanical data on this plant remain very limited; caution is warranted in the absence of reliable information on its potential toxicity. Like several members of the Boraginaceae family, it may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, potentially toxic to the liver with prolonged or repeated use. Not advised for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or children, as a precaution in the absence of safety data. Do not use internally without the advice of a health professional or a qualified herbalist, for lack of sufficient documentation on safe dosages.
The detailed notebook
- Prepared as a paste or decoction
- Traditional duration of use
- Known contraindications
- Related species and their uses
Where to find it
Partner herbalists — available with the detailed notebook.
Sources
PFAF, Wikipedia