A native of Canada and North America the plant was once sent to Britain annually as seed to be grown for the roots which contained a substance known as cimicifugin. Here in Britain it was used to make medicines for diarrhoea and whooping cough especially in children.
Native Americans used it to treat rattle snake bites, rheumatism and to aid the development of milk in nursing mothers.
Black snakeroot, originally from North America
Black snakeroot was used by Native Americans as a snakebite cure