QUEEN'S DELIGHT HERB PLANT

Latin Name: Stillingia sylvatica

Alternate Names: Stillingia, Yaw Root, Silver Leaf, Cockup Hat, Marcory

Family: EUPHORBIACEAE

Parts Used: Root, fresh root.

Properties: Alterative, Cathartic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emetic, Expectorant, Laxative, Sialagogue, Tonic.

Internal Uses: Acne, Boils, Bronchitis, Constipation, Cough, Dermatitis, Eczema, Enlarged Lymph, Hemorrhoids, Laryngitis, Leukorrhea, Psoriasis, Rheumatism, Scrofula, Syphilis

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

It helps both a chronic cough and smoker's cough.

Topical Uses: Eczema, Hemorrhoids, Psoriasis

Topical Applications: Lotion for eczema, psoriasis and hemorrhoids.

Energetics: Pungent, Bitter, Cool.

Chemical Constituents: Essential oil, diterpene esters (prostatin, gnidilatin), alkaloid (stillingine), cyanogenic glycosides, calcium oxalate, tannin, resin (sylvacrol).

Contraindications: Large doses are emetic and purgative. Avoid during pregnancy, and avoid using fresh root.

Comments: The genus is named after Dr. Benjamin Stillingfleet.  The leaves have spots on them reminiscent of the lesions of syphilis, and this may have inspired people to use this herb to treat syphilis.  It was also used to help people detoxify after being treated with mercury for syphilis.

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