Parts Most Frequently Used: Western – Whole Above-Ground Herb. Eastern – Root

Flavors/Temps: Whole Herb: Acrid, Pungent, Warming. Root: Bitter, Cold

Caution: This is a low-dose plant, never use more than 1-5 drops. The plant can be toxic if used incorrectly or improperly prepared (Drying and heating the herb are recommended). Overdose can dramatically lower the heart rate and cause mental confusion.

Key Constituents: Whole Herb: Anemone oil, Anemonic acid, Anemonin. Root: Pulsatoside, protoanemonin, Anemonol, Anemonin, Glucose, Okinalin, Okinalein, Saponins, Tannin, Fatty Oil, Cardiotonic Substances, Resin

History/Folklore: In one sentence, pulsatilla is most known for treating painful conditions of the reproductive and digestive systems, and helping patients to sleep better.

The plant’s common name, Easter Flower, derives from the flowers blooming during the Easter season, April to June. It is generally recommended that the plant be harvested soon after flowering. Made into a tincture and properly stored, some say it will last up to one year, but not longer. All species of the plant wilt very quickly.

It is recommended that the plant be placed in alcohol after being dried to ensure its medicinal value. Alcohol is thought to be the plant’s best menstruum (The liquid used to extract the medicinal properties from the plant.). Commonly 2 lbs of fresh plant are used in 4 pints of strong alcohol (100% vodka for example), then expressed and filtered.

Anemone pulsatilla (P. vulgaris) is commonly blended with Meadow Anemone (P. pratensis), which belongs to the same order of plants. The combination is sometimes simply referred to as “pulsatilla.”

Used topically, pulsatilla can be an irritant. When chewed it can be numbing or provide a tingling sensation. Taken internally in overdoses or improperly prepared, it acts as a gastric irritant, even causing vomiting, constriction in the chest, and weakness. High doses can constrict the heart and are not recommended.

The Blackfoot Indians used Pulsatilla nuttalianeto induce abortions and to aid childbirth.

Pulsatilla’s most important function is to manage nervous system irritation in weak or very sick people, allowing them to rest, recover, and facilitate the use of other healing tonics and medicines. While the plant has a wide application, it is most useful in treating conditions in which the mind or mental states play a prominent role.

The herb is especially beneficial for treating nervous exhaustion in women. This is a person who appears despondent and weeps easily, tends to brood over real or imagined problems, or shows signs of restlessness, sadness, and nervous depression. All such factors can be treated with pulsatilla. If insomnia and nervousness are the cause, pulsatilla is a good remedy.

Pulsatilla is also used to treat disorders of the reproductive organs of both sexes. Amenorrhea, dysmenorrhoea, leucorrhoea, uterine colic, ovaritis, and sluggish or weak labor pains are sometimes remedied with pulsatilla. Spermatorrhoea, orchitis (swelling of the testicles), and prostatorrhoea can also be treated with pulsatilla.

Pulsatilla is often used to treat headaches, constipation, rheumatism, and neuralgia. There is research confirming Pulsatilla as being effective for treating spasms and relieving the pain associated with spasms, such as menstrual cramping. Its antispasmodic properties help to smooth muscle spasms.

In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), pulsatilla (P. chinensis) is often included to help support other tonic and calming herbs within many healing formulas—the root, rather than the whole herb, that is used. The roots are long, cylindrical, twisted, and slightly flat. Their skin will be yellowish-brown, with irregular vertical wrinkles. The texture will be hard and crisp. They are bitter-tasting. Typical dosing of the root in TCM is 9-15 grams in decoction. Bai Tou Weng Tang (Pulsatilla Decoction) is a well-known Chinese formula for treating acute dysentery, sore stomach, and a frequent urge for a bowel movement with nothing coming out.

In China, the roots are harvested in spring before the flowers bloom or in the autumn after the leaves turn yellow. They consider Pulsatilla the “King” herb for treating any form of dysentery due to Heat. It effectively treats bacterial or amoebic dysentery.

The Chinese name, Bai Tou Weng, derives from the head of the root being white and hairy, like a “hoary-headed geezer.”

The constituent, anemonin, is a crystalline tasteless substance that is a powerful irritant and in overdose can cause gastric enteritis. It can significantly depress circulation, respiration, and spinal cord function causing death without convulsions.

Doses of only 2-3 drops in water will help ease spasmodic coughing associated with asthma, whooping cough, and bronchitis.

Pulsatilla (P. nigricans) is a popular homeopathic remedy considered effective for treating measles, nettle rash, and neuralgic tooth, and is especially effective for treating inflammation of the ear with pain. It is also used for treating people suffering from sadness and those seeking sympathy, or who exhibit alternating smiles and tears and feel timid and afraid of ghosts.

Pulsatilla is a popular ornamental flower for the garden. It is an ideal ground cover as it blooms early and remains a dwarf.