Chimaphila umbellata (Umbellate Winter Green or Pipsissewa) is a small perennial flowering plant found in dry
woodlands, or sandy soils. It is native throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere.
It grows 10-35 cm tall, and has evergreen shiny, bright green, toothed leaves arranged in opposite pairs or
whorls of 3-4 along the stem. Leaves have a shallowly toothed margin, where the teeth have fine hairs at their
ends. The flowers are white or pink, produced in a small umbel of 4-8 together.
It is used as a flavoring in candy and soft drinks, particularly root beer.
Medicinal Action and Uses:
Pipsissewa was widely used by the Native American Indians, and was given to the settlers originally to treat
typhus. It was also used during the Civil War to treat rheumatism as well as kidney disorders. Pipsissiwa is
said to be from the Cree Indian name pipsisikweu meaning "breaks into small pieces", which is interesting
considering its early use for the treatment of gall and kidney stones.
Modern holistic medicine supports the early uses of Pipsissewa.
The fresh leaves, when bruised and applied to the skin, act as vesicants and rubefacients, of great use in
cardiac and kidney diseases, chronic rheumatism and scrofula. The decoction is advantageous for chronic
gonorrhoea, strangury, catarrh of the bladder, and a good cure for ascites. It is said to diminish lithic
acid in the urine; for dropsy it is useful combined with other medicines; said to be of value in diabetes, but
this has not yet been confirmed; and it is very effective for skin diseases.
