Solomon's Seal - Three Wishes Apothecary

Reconnection.
Solomon’s Seal restores what has been overstretched or misaligned — in tendons, ligaments, bones, and even relationships. It is the herb of reconciliation, gently bringing things back to their rightful place.

Cautions

Use caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding (no strong safety data).

Large doses may cause nausea or loose stools.

Monitor if hypoglycemic or using blood sugar–lowering medication.

Known Chemical Constituents

Steroidal saponins & triterpenoid saponins

Polysaccharides (notably mucilaginous ones)

Glycosides (including small amounts of convallamarin or similar cardiac glycoside-like compounds)

Flavonoids, alkaloids, perhaps anthraquinones (in some relative species)

Mucilage, starch, sugars, gum, pectin etc. (giving the soothing, coating quality)

llantoin (or allantoin‐like compounds) in some reports, which help in tissue healing, skin repair, protecting connective tissue

Botanical Description

A graceful perennial with arching stems up to 2–3 feet tall, Solomon’s Seal bears pairs of alternate, oval leaves that line the stem like a ladder. In late spring, it produces elegant, nodding, tubular white-green flowers that hang like tiny bells beneath the arch of the stem. In summer, the flowers ripen into small blue-black berries (not edible). The root system is a series of thick, knobby rhizomes with “seal” markings.

Fun Facts

The “seal” marks on the rhizome were once thought to be a divine signature indicating its use for “sealing” wounds — an early example of the Doctrine of Signatures.

Parts Used

Root / rhizome (tender roots) ONLY

Harvest

Harvest rhizomes in late autumn, after the aerial parts have naturally died back and the plant’s energy has returned to the roots. Dig gently, taking only a portion of the rhizome and leaving enough to allow the colony to regenerate — a living act of reciprocity.

Important: Only the rhizome (root) and very young spring shoots are used medicinally or as food.
• The leaves, mature stems, berries, fruit, and seeds are considered potentially toxic and are not used in herbal practice.
• The berries, though attractive, are mildly poisonous — especially to children — and should not be eaten.
• Proper plant identification is crucial, as Solomon’s Seal has look-alikes (like False Solomon’s Seal).

Working with this plant in the right season, and using only the safe, traditional parts, honors both the plant and the body it is helping to restore.

Preparations

Decoction, infusion/tea, tincture, topical poultice or salve; possibly glycerite or wash for external use

Sacred Rituals

Prepare a warm foot soak with Solomon’s Seal decoction during times of transition — a house move, change of season, or after letting go of something significant. As your feet soak, visualize the plant’s wisdom reconnecting your body and spirit, sealing in lessons learned, and restoring your path forward.

Affirmations

“I am supple, I am strong. I heal what is broken and restore what is lost.”

Spiritual Associations

Solomon’s Seal carries the wisdom of cycles — endings and beginnings marked by the “seal” on the root. Spiritually, it is associated with:

Restoring sacred boundaries
Reconciliation and forgiveness
Healing grief and supporting transitions
Connecting the physical and spiritual through “bridging” energy