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, as well as the
Paphiopedilum
species native to Southeast Asia. Other "slipper" orchid species are native to South America. Typically, the yellow lady's slipper
Cypripedium calceolus var. pubescens
(now called
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens
) is used medicinally in Europe and North America.
Cypripedium 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 very difficult to cultivate; even just collecting the flower alone 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.
1
Traditionally, lady's slipper root was classified as a "nervine," indicating its purported healing and calming effect on the nerves. This term, however, is no longer used in medicine today.
What Is Lady's Slipper Orchid Used for Today?
Despite a complete absence of scientific evidence that it is effective, lady's slipper is sometimes used today either alone or as a component of formulas intended to produce treat
anxiety
or
insomnia
.
Lady's slipper is also sometimes used topically as a poultice or plaster for relief of
muscular pain
,
2
but again there is no evidence that it is effective.
Dosage
The optimum oral dosage of lady's slipper is not known. A typical recommendation for
Cyrpripedium
species is 3 to 9 g of root or 2 to 6 ml of a tincture of fresh or dried root.
3
For muscle pain relief, a topical application of fresh or dried roots mashed into a poultice or plaster is sometimes used.
4
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.
References
1:
Moore M.
Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West
. Santa Fe, NM: Red Crane Books; 1993:233–235.
2:
Tierra M.
The Way of Herbs: Fully Updated with the Latest Developments in Herbal Science
. New York, NY: Pocket Books; 1998:26,150.
3:
Tierra M.
The Way of Herbs: Fully Updated with the Latest Developments in Herbal Science
. New York, NY: Pocket Books; 1998:26,150.
4:
Tierra M.
The Way of Herbs: Fully Updated with the Latest Developments in Herbal Science
. New York, NY: Pocket Books; 1998:26,150.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
