Actaea alba White baneberry (Ranunculaceae)

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Actaea alba
White baneberry
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The Actaea alba plant species is found in Eastern N. America - S. Canada to Georgia, west to Oklahoma and Minnesota. It is a member of the Ranunculaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as White baneberry. Some home gardeners know the variety as A. pachypoda. Elliott.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
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Latin Name:  Actaea alba
Common Name:  White baneberry
Family:  Ranunculaceae
Author:  (L.)Mill.

Known Hazards:  All parts of the plant are toxic, causing severe gastrointestinal inflammation and skin blisters[222].

Mature Height:  0.8   Mature Width:  0.45

Habitat:  Rich damp woodlands[200].

Medicinal Information: The whole plant, but especially the root, is anticonvulsive, antirheumatic, emmenagogue, mildy hypnotic, oxytoxic and stimulant[207, 257]. Use with caution, see the notes above on toxicity[222]. A decoction of the roots has been used in the treatment of coughs, colds, rheumatism and syphilis[213, 257]. It is also used in small doses to ease the pain of childbirth[222] and is used as a stimulant to revive and rally patients at the point of death[257]. An infusion of the roots has been used externally to treat itchy skin and as a gargle for sore throats[257]. An infusion of leaves was drunk by the women of some Indian tribes in order to stimulate the flow of milk[213].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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