False Unicorn

Female False Uncorn plant in early spring

False unicorn is native to Mississippi and continues to grow primarily in the southern part of the United States. The roots of false unicorn are most commonly used in herbal medicine.

I thing False Unicorn is the best herb to grow if you are just getting started and not started growing ginseng yet. Why? Because it will be ready to harvest in about 4 years (half the time as ginseng) and the roots get much bigger. Some of your better rootlets will weight 1/4 lb. dry. Dry False Unicorn roots will sell for about $30 per lb. But the roots get really big in 4 years. We never recommend fertilizer or chemicals but even if you do most buyers of False Unicorn will still buy it at the same price as wild. It is becoming so popular with women but at the same time it is very hard to find live roots for planting.

Medical Uses of False Unicorn

The medicinal use of false unicorn root is based in traditional Native American herbalism. It was recommended for many women’s health conditions, including dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) and other irregularities of menstruation, as well as to prevent miscarriages.¹ False unicorn was also used as a remedy for morning sickness.

False unicorn root tincture, 1/2–1 teaspoon (2–5 ml) three times per day, is sometimes recommended .³ The dried root, 1/4–1/2 teaspoon (1–2 grams) three times per day, is also used.

Side effects or interactions of False Unicorn

No adverse effects have been reported with the use of false unicorn. Although false unicorn has been used historically for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and to prevent miscarriages, its actions as a possible uterine tonic make its use during pregnancy potentially unsafe.

At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with false unicorn.

References

1. Mills SY. Out of the Earth: The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine. Middlesex, UK: Viking Arkana, 1991, 520–2.

2. Mills SY. Out of the Earth: The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine. Middlesex, UK: Viking Arkana, 1991, 520–2.

3. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 1996, 116.