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Limited evidenceWomen's health

False Unicorn Root

A slow-growing, now-threatened American woodland root used in Western herbal medicine for irregular cycles and fertility. Its chemistry has been characterised in detail, but no human trial has ever tested it for any gynaecological use.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

  • No clinical trials for cycle regulation Limited evidence

    A 2026 ethnopharmacological review of Chamaelirium luteum documents its traditional uses, steroidal saponin chemistry and preliminary pharmacology, and reports no clinical studies in humans. Every claim about menstrual regulation or fertility is traditional in origin.

  • Active compounds are cytotoxic steroidal saponins Limited evidence

    Isolation work in J Nat Prod identified a series of steroidal saponins from the root and found bioactivity in cell assays, including cytotoxicity. This clarifies what the plant contains but provides no support for hormonal or fertility effects, and raises rather than settles safety questions.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseNo studied dose. Traditional tincture use is roughly 1–2 mL up to three times daily; capsule labels commonly suggest 400–500 mg. Both should be read as tradition, not evidence.
SafetyHigh doses cause nausea and vomiting. The saponins are cytotoxic in vitro and human toxicology is unstudied. Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding despite traditional use as a pregnancy tonic, since there is no safety data to support it. The species is over-harvested and commercial material is frequently adulterated or substituted, so identity of what is in the bottle is often unverifiable.

Scientific references

Where to buy

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