Fit Root

Scientific name: Monotropa uniflora

Common names: Dutchman’s Pipe, Bird Nests Plant, Indian Pipe, Fit Root Plant, Ova Ova, Birds Nest, Nest Root, Convulsion Weed, Corpse Plant

Ayurvedic names:

Chinese names:

Bangladesh names:

Arabic names:    الأنبوب الهندي (al unboob alhindi)

Rain Forest names:

Family: Fabaceae

Approximate number of species known:

Common parts used: Root

Collection: June to October

Annual/Perennial: Perennial

Height: 4 to 10 inches

Actions:  Antispasmodic, febrifuge, nervine, sedative, tonic

Known Constituents:

Constituents Explained:

Description: 

Indian pipe is a unique perennial plant without chlorophyll; a mass of dark, brittle, saprophytic roots produces the ivory-white, waxy stem growing 4-10 inches high and covered with scaly bracts. The stem is topped by a single, nodding, white, pipe-bowl-shaped or bell-shaped flower which turns black when bruised. The whole plant is translucent white. Scalelike leaves nearly absent. Blooms June to October

Traditional Use:

Was once used for fevers, and as a substitute for quinine and opium.1  Its use as a nervine sees it used for irritability, muscle spasm and for convulsions, hence it got the name ‘convulsion weed’

Was once used as vaginal douche for inflammation with fennel seed.

Clinical Studies:

References: