Aletris

Scientific Name(s): Aletris farinosa L.
Common Name(s): Ague grass, Ague root, Aloerot, Blazing star, Colic root, Crow corn, Devil's-bit, Huskwort, Mealy starwort, Stargrass, Starwort, Unicorn root, Whitetube stargrass

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 13, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Aletris has been used as a sedative, laxative, antiflatulent, antispasmodic, and as a treatment for diarrhea and rheumatism. Its potential estrogenic properties may account for its use in treating female disorders. However, there are no clinical trials to support these potential uses.

Dosing

There is no recent clinical data to justify human dosage. Classical texts recommend 2 to 6 g of root daily.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not yet been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Documented adverse effects. Antagonizes some oxytocins. Avoid use.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

None are known.

Toxicology

Aletris reportedly has narcotic properties and can induce colic, stupefaction, and vertigo.

Scientific Family

• Liliaceae (lily)

Botany

Aletris is a perennial herb with linear leaves that grow in a rosette. These leaves surround a slender stem that reaches 1 m in height. These are grasslike, of a yellowish green color, and from 5 to 15 cm long. They surround the base of the stem in the form of a star, in this respect differing distinctly from another starwort (Chamaelirium luteum) with which it is sometimes confused. The plant is native to North America and is distributed widely throughout the continent. Three other species of aletris, Aletris aurea Walt., A. lutea Small, and A. obovata Nash, bear much resemblance to A. farinosa and are frequently collected with the latter.Sievers 1998

History

Aletris is a North American plant that is now recognized worldwide in traditional folk medicine. Aletris occurs in dry, generally sandy soil from Maine to Minnesota, Florida, and Tennessee. It had been used by American Indians in the Carolinas as an antidiarrheal tea and in Appalachia for the management of rheumatisms and as a tonic and a sedative.Leung 1980 The fabled Lydia Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, which was touted as a cure-all for female discomforts, contained aletris, among other plant derivatives.Tyler 1993 It has been included in laxatives and has been used as an antiflatulent (hence the name "colic root") and antispasmodic.

The roots and rhizomes are collected in the fall and dried for preservation.

Chemistry

Little is known about the chemical composition of A. farinosa with diosgenin being the only significant compound. Diosgenin has also been isolated from it, along with gentrogenin from the related Japanese species A. foliata and A. formosana.Okanishi 1975 An oil derived from A. farinosa is reported to have pharmacologic activity, but this has not been well defined.Leung 1980 The plant also contains a resin and a saponin-like glycoside that may yield diosgenin on hydrolysis.Leung 1980

Uses and Pharmacology

Estrogenic activity

Aletris has been reported to have estrogenic activity, although estrogenic compounds have not been isolated nor have detailed studies confirmed this activity.

Mechanism of action

The potential estrogenic properties of aletris may be due to a diosgenin-derived steroid that has not yet been characterized.

Animal data

Studies have indicat...