Lady's slipper orchid's therapeutic uses
The Lady's slipper orchid, particularly the yellow lady's slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens) and the mountain lady's slipper (C. montanum), has been traditionally recognized for its potential therapeutic uses. Historically, it has been used to address conditions such as nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms, and even tooth pain. Although the roots of lady's slipper orchids have been classified as having calming effects on the nerves, recent medical terminology has evolved, and the term "nervine" is no longer commonly applied.
Despite its historical applications, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of lady's slipper for these conditions. Topical uses include applying mashed roots as a poultice for muscle pain relief, although evidence of effectiveness remains unverified. Additionally, some herbalists propose that lady's slipper may function as an antispasmodic or aphrodisiac. However, due to the endangered status of many lady's slipper species and the challenges in cultivation, caution is advised in their use. As with any herbal remedy, safety concerns persist, particularly as contact with certain species can lead to skin irritation.
Lady's slipper orchid's therapeutic uses
DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: None
OTHER PROPOSED USES: Anxiety, insomnia, musculoskeletal pain, antispasmodic
Overview
The common name “lady’s slipper” refers to the distinctive shape of these beautiful orchids, members of the genus Cypripedium that are native to North America and Europe and of the Paphiopedilum species native to Southeast Asia. Other “slipper” orchid species are native to South America. Typically, the yellow lady’s slipper C. calceolus var. pubescens (now called C. parviflorum var. pubescens) is used medicinally in Europe and North America. C. montanum, the rare mountain lady’s-slipper native to North America, is also wildcrafted (collected in the wild).
Many of the Cypripedium lady’s slipper species are endangered and have proven difficult to cultivate; even just collecting the flower may be enough to kill the plant, and transplantation from the wild is rarely successful. Alternatively, some herbalists recommend using the roots of another species called stream orchid or helleborine (Epipactis helleborine), which has the same purported effects, is more widespread, and is relatively easy to cultivate.
Traditionally, lady’s slipper root was classified as a nervine, indicating its purported healing and calming effect on the nerves. However, the term “nervine” is no longer used in medicine.
Therapeutic Dosages
The optimum oral dosage of lady’s slipper is not known. A typical recommendation for Cypripedium species is 3 to 9 grams of root or 2 to 6 milliliters of a tincture of fresh or dried root. For muscle pain relief, a topical application of fresh or dried roots mashed into a poultice or plaster is sometimes used.
Therapeutic Uses
Historically, lady’s slipper was used to treat nervousness, tooth pain, and muscle spasms. Despite a complete absence of scientific evidence that it is effective, lady’s slipper is sometimes used either alone or as a component of formulas intended to treat anxiety or insomnia. Lady’s slipper is also sometimes used topically as a poultice or plaster for the relief of muscular pain, but there is no evidence that it is effective. Lady’s slipper may be used as an antispasmodic to relieve muscle spasms, cramps, and seizures. It has been suggested as an aphrodisiac. No double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of lady's slipper exist, in large part due to its endangered status.
Safety Issues
The safety of any medicinal application of these orchid species has not been established. Contact with the small hairs on some species can cause skin irritation.
Bibliography
Barnes, Thomas G., and Patricia J. Ruta. "Pink Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium acaule Ait.)." USDA Forest Service, www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/cypripedium‗acaule.shtml. Accessed 12 Sept. 2024.
"Can You Dig Up Pink Lady's Slippers?" UNH Extension, 29 Mar. 2021, extension.unh.edu/blog/2021/03/can-you-dig-pink-ladys-slippers. Accessed 12 Sept. 2024.
Moore, M. Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West. Santa Fe, N.M.: Red Crane Books, 1993.
Tierra, M. The Way of Herbs. New York: Pocket Books, 1998.