Ladyslipper

Botanical Overview

Ladyslipper (Cypripedium pubescens) belongs to the Orchidaceae family. While not among the most extensively documented medicinal plants, this species has recorded uses that warrant attention from researchers and practitioners. This species belongs to the Orchidaceae family, a group of flowering plants.

General Description

It is widespread, ranging from Alaska south to Arizona and Georgia. It grows in fens, wetlands, shorelines, and damp woodlands.

ⓘ Information
Description adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Family Context

The Orchidaceae family is widely distributed. Notable medicinal members include:

Geographic Distribution

Ladyslipper has been recorded in Canada, Germany, Lebanon, United States, and ZZ.

Traditional Uses

Ladyslipper has been traditionally used for nervous system disorders.

Nervous system disorders.

  • Sedative

Nervous system support involves taking the herb as a warm tea, often in the evening or before bed. The calming compounds interact with neurotransmitter systems to promote relaxation and restful sleep.

Active Compounds

Phytochemical research has identified 20 compounds in this species, including a diverse array of phytochemical classes (see the Complete Chemical Inventory below for the full list).

ⓘ Information
Information on this page is compiled from Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases (USDA ARS), a public domain resource. Consult a healthcare professional before using any herbal preparation.

Distribution and Conservation

Reported distribution: Canada, Germany, Lebanon, United States, Unknown.

Complete Use Records

CategoryCultural Context
SedativeUS(Appalachia)

Complete Chemical Inventory

CompoundFormulaMW
ALUMINUMAl26.981538 Da
ASH
CALCIUMCa40.08 Da
CHROMIUMCr51.996 Da
COBALTCo58.93319 Da
GALLIC-ACIDC₇H₆O₅170.12 Da
GLUCOSEC₆H₁₂O₆180.16 Da
GUM
IRONFe55.84 Da
MAGNESIUMMg24.305 Da
MANGANESEMn54.93804 Da
PHOSPHORUSP30.97376200 Da
POTASSIUMK39.0983 Da
PROTEIN
SELENIUMSe78.97 Da
SILICONSi28.085 Da
SODIUMNa22.9897693 Da
STARCH
TINSn118.71 Da
ZINCZn65.4 Da

Data from PubChem (NIH/NLM, public domain).


References & Further Reading

External Research Links

Data Sources