False Unicorn

Scientific Name(s): Chamaelirium luteum (L.) Gray
Common Name(s): Blazing star, Devil's bit, Drooping starwort, Fairywand, False unicorn, Helonias root, Rattlesnake

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 23, 2022.

Clinical Overview

Use

False unicorn has been used in traditional medicine as a uterine tonic for treatment of amenorrhea and morning sickness. It has also been used as an appetite stimulant, diuretic, vermifuge, emetic, and insecticide; however, clinical studies to support any of these indications are limited.

Dosing

False unicorn doses have traditionally been 1 to 2 g of the root as a tea, or 2 to 5 mL of the tincture 3 times a day as a uterine tonic or diuretic; however, there are no clinical studies to support a particular dose. Preparations have not been standardized.

Contraindications

No longer considered safe.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Excessive doses may cause nausea and vomiting, possibly due to the saponin content.

Toxicology

Information is lacking.

Scientific Family

• Melanthiaceae

Botany

C. luteum is a native lily of the eastern US. The only species in its genus, it is considered threatened because of habitat loss and effects of collection from the wild for herbal use.1, 2 C. luteum is a dioecious species (ie, the male and female flowers, which turn yellow on drying, are borne on separate plants). The roots (called starwort or unicorn root) are used medicinally and are collected in autumn.1, 3 The plant has been confused with the lilies Helonias bullata and Aletris farinosa (true unicorn root) because of shared common names. Synonyms of C. luteum are Veratrum luteum L.; Chamaelirium obovale Small.

History

False unicorn root was used during the Eclectic medical movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, chiefly for treating "female complaints" or as a uterine tonic in amenorrhea or morning sickness. It has also been used as an appetite stimulant, diuretic, emetic, and vermifuge, and acts as a mild GI tract tonic.4, 5 Its use in combination preparations for painful or irregular menstruation is reportedly increasing in the United States.2

Chemistry

Studies characterizing the chemical composition are limited.2 The root primarily contains steroidal saponins, including chamaelirin, chiograsterol, aglycone diosgenin, and other saponins with an "unusual" cholestane core, and sterols.2, 6, 7

Oleic, linoleic, and stearic fatty acids have also been isolated from the root.3

Uses and Pharmacology

Cancer

Animal data

The chemical constituents extracted from the root have been tested for cytotoxicity in human leukemia cells in vitro and in prostate cancer in mice.7, 8

Clinical data

There are no clinical data regarding the use of C. leuteum in cancer.

Uterine tonic

Animal data

Animal studies were conducted in the early 1900s by a single group of researchers. No eff...