Rattlesnake root

Rattlesnake root, also known as Polygala senega, is a plant found in the forests of North America. The name comes from the treatment of snake bites with this plant by the Seneca tribe, Native Americans. In addition to treating snake bites, the plant was also used to treat coughs. The root of the plant was also one of the most important expectorants in Europe for a long time, see Polygalae radix.
The perennial plant belongs to the cruciferous family (Polygalaceae), origin: North America, southern Canada. Stems up to 50 cm high, hard woody, horizontally growing rhizome, white, sometimes greenish flowers, capsule fruit with two hairy black seeds.

The plant, which grows as a ground stock shrub, shoots numerous stems from the axils of the scale-like leaves, which can reach a height of up to 40 cm. The alternate leaves are egg-shaped, the terminal flower clusters are of a pale reddish colour. The rattlesnake root also has brown-yellow roots containing essential oil. The plant flowers in June and July.

Polygala senega is the parent plant of Polygalae radix, the dried and crushed root.