Creeping plant having curving flowers thought to resemble fetuses; native to Europe; naturalized Great Britain and eastern North America.
1
The roots of birthwort, either long or round, so used and taken as the former, are very good.
2
Or, take coloquintida, agaric, birthwort, of each a drachm; make a powder, add ammoniacum dissolved in wine, ox-gall, each two drachms.
3
Take savine, round birthwort, trochisks of myrrh, castor, cinnamon and saffron, each half a drachm; make a powder, give a drachm.
4
Birthwort was given to women to help with difficult labor, but the vine is very poisonous and carcinogenic.