This is my favorite plant medicine for pain and for those moments of debilitating depression. I think of these types of bacteria, especially the spirochetes as "worms" also. Both of these diseases are referred to as "the great imitator," as they mimic so many other chronic illnesses and are both difficult to diagnose and to treat. The Borrelia bacteria in Lyme disease is a modern cousin to syphilis. These spirochetes wiggle through the tissues of the body leading to a number of horrible symptoms including great fatigue, joint and skin pain, mental disorders and depression. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted set of disease symptoms that stem from a spiraling worm-shaped bacteria called a spirochete (spy-row-keet). More interestingly, there is a history of this plant medicine being used to strengthen those with long standing syphilis. These visual indicators of medicinal properties are often noted as a Doctrine of Signatures in botanical structure. It is interesting that the rhizomes are long, skinny, pinkish-white and worm-shaped. This indicates that bleeding hearts have a rejuvenating and strengthening quality. Native peoples used this root to heal weakness and depletion from intestinal worms. The rhizomes are succulent, new growth is bright pink, and resembles something slightly worm-shaped. It typically grows in loose, moist forest soil and can easily be dug with nothing but your hands. The entire plant is a soft, juicy perennial that stems from these slender brittle rhizomes. Otherwise, it is known as a mind altering sedative and pain numbing remedy. Medicinally, this one is classified as a narcotic analgesic. The sweet little sprays of pinkish to purple flowers in the shape of hearts beg the sound of AThe roots, or rather rhizomes have a strong bitter and slightly acrid flavor that are most commonly used for pain relieving effects.
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