False Unicorn root (also known as Helonias) is a delicate and endangered woodland plant. While we at Teeter Creek Herbs are commited to the cultivating of such endangered or potentially endangered plants as Golden Seal, Ginseng and Cohosh, it appears that our cultivating efforts for False Unicorn will never be able to keep up with demand. Unlike the roots of the aforementioned plants, the False Unicorn's rhizome cannot be divided easily, and either divisions or seed, in ours and others experience, are extremely slow growing. Two inches in 6 years would be a fair estimate.

In the wild, where the world's supply is now harvested, the False Unicorn grows only in small and scattered colonies, and is rapidly dissappearing due to overharvesting of this slow-growing plant. We believe there can be no true healing if our health is supported by the wiping out of other species. In such cases, it is wise to look to other more abundant herbs with similar properties. Right now, it appears to us that False Unicorn is more valuable as a rare and delicately beautiful woodland plant than as a bulk medicinal.

Many of the requests we have are for herbs for infertility; traditional herbs that can be substituted are Black Haw Bark (a traditional tonic that I have also seen very good results as a miscarriage preventative and for threatened miscarriage; prepares the body for a healthy pregnancy). Others include Raspberry Leaf, Squaw Vine, Chaste Berry and Red Clover.

To substitute for its traditional use as a uterine tonic and for uterine congestion (functional disorders with abnormal periods or bleeding not due to fibroids, etc.) again would be Raspberry Leaf, Squaw Vine and Black Haw. Black and Blue Cohosh, Wild Yam where there is pain, spasm or tension accompanying the menses. Read up on each herb to find appropriate substitutes.

In the meantime we will continue our efforts to cultivate a number of the woodland herbs in their natural environment and try to insure their future.

return to the web version of the False Unicorn article