birthwort

[burth-wurt, -wawrt]

noun

1. any of various plants of the genus Aristolochia, especially A. clematitis, an Old World species reputed to facilitate childbirth.

2. any of various other plants believed to aid childbirth.

3. birthroot.

birthwort

/ ˈbɜːθˌwɜːt /

noun

1. any of several climbing plants of the genus Aristolochia , esp A. clematitis of Europe, once believed to ease childbirth: family Aristolochiaceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of birthwort¹

First recorded in 1545–55; birth + wort ²

Example Sentences

Then she sent Matthew to search for birthwort root, put out the fire, and opened all the windows.

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Sometimes known as birthwort, Aristolochia contains aristolochic acid, which can cause kidney and liver damage and bladder cancer.

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A. Clematitis, birthwort, is a central and southern European species, found sometimes in England apparently wild on ruins and similar places, but not a native.

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Take savine, round birthwort, trochisks of myrrh, castor, cinnamon and saffron, each half a drachm; make a powder, give a drachm.

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The roots of birthwort, either long or round, so used and taken as the former, are very good.

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