SILK TASSEL (Garrya flavescens, Garrya spp.)
Family: Garryaceae
Parts commonly used: Fresh, whole summer leaf.
Properties/energetics: Antispasmodic. Bitter.
Systems predominantly affected: Genitourinary, digestive, respiratory.
Uses: Silk Tassel is a safe, strong, reliable, smooth muscle relaxer. It is remarkably effective for relieving sharp, tight, spastic cramps. It has shown to be more effective than all other antispasmodic herbs for treating acute situations. It’s a highly useful pain reliever and antispasmodic for sharp, painful menstrual cramps, smooth muscle cramping in the intestinal tract, infectious diarrhea (taken in Ginger tea), gallbladder flare-ups and the pain of passing gallstones, urethral or bladder cramps, and acute asthmatic attacks.
Combinations: use with Corydalis, Chamomile, and Ginger for relief of painful intestinal and menstrual cramping.
Affects on specific body types: This herb is well employed by all constitutional types for acute symptomatic use.
Precautions: Do not use during pregnancy. Can experience nausea with high doses. Not for dull, achy pain. (See the discussion of Black Cohosh.) Not used as a tonic.
Preparations/dosage: Tincture: Take up to 1/2 ounce a day. Take 40 to 80 drops for initial dose, with 40 drops every thirty minutes to one hour until relief.
By James Green, Herbalist, copyright 2008
For more information please refer to James Green’s book, The Male Herbal, 2nd Edition