Monotropa uniflora has many common names, Ghost pipe, Indian pipe, ghost plant, ghost flower, corpse plant, Dutchman’s pipe, fairy smoke, convulsion root, ice plant, bird’s nest, ova-ova, fit plant, and fit root. The most common name in our area is Indian Pipe or Ghost pipe. I call Monotropa uniflora Indian pipe to give reflection upon the Native American’s relationship with this unique perennial in the past.
In the month of October when the seasons are changing, nights are cooler and the leaves are falling, I began to look for my delicate and rare friends, who are mycoheterotrophic. Mycoheterotrophic plants are host specific. They associate both with saprotrophic fungi, which obtain carbon from the decomposition of dead plant material, and mycorrhizas that obtain carbon from host-plant photosynthate. When most of my favorite plants are going to sleep for the winter Indian Pipe secretly appears, peeking through the moldy leaves in the dark rich soil, hidden from the sun. I wait for the first rain in October, the type of rain that comes in for two or three days and followed by a chill in the air. It is then we seek the translucent to pale pink stems. Some grow alone and some grow in colonies. The symmetrical bell shape flower is about 1/2-1 inch long. The stems are 2-12 inches tall with scale-like leaves. The flowers hang down and slowly turn up and then back again. When the time has gone the flowers turn dark and dry in the upright position.
Let’s talk about what makes Indian pipe so unique and ghostly white. Most botanicals need the sun to produce chlorophyll, which produces the color of green. Indian pipe does not rely upon the sun to receive nutrients but instead has a unique relationship within a mycelial network, thus the lack of chlorophyll and color. The roots of the Indian pipe wrapped in fungal growth called mycorrhizae. Mycorrhizal fungi are symbiotic organisms that help the absorption of the neighboring tree’s root system. So the Indian pipe uses the fungi who is helping the tree with nutrient uptake. The tree then produces carbohydrates that feed the fungus, that feeds the Indian pipe. Most of the time I find Indian pipes in a close location with a fruiting fungi mushroom, a tree, rather deciduous or conifer. The first time my eyes were open to this amazing plant, the Indian pipes were beside a mushroom and a pine tree.
Let’s talk about how an Indian pipe is created and thrives. When Indian pipe taps into these nodes, it is in two very different systems operating. Many plants have what we refer to as a Doctrine of Signatures. I have written about this before with the Heal-All. The plant reflects a part of the human body in which it can support, remedy or make whole. The Indian pipe relationship is with the spine, nerves and brain stem. Even in its set up to thrive in this mycorrhizal network draws us in to look deeper into the plant’s abilities to work deeply in ourselves, consciously, unconsciously and physically. Indian pipe’s ability to physically collect nutrients and filter these carbohydrates is a model of how it can help with modulating our sensory input. I just went back and reread this to make sure I wrote it clearly and understandably. Whoa! It’s a lot to take in! Ok, let’s go on!
Before I get into the Indian pipe’s medicinal actions, let’s talk about harvesting. Monotropa uniflora can not be cultivated. Reread that. Indian pipe can NOT be cultivated. It is a species that United Plant Savers is requesting to be scored. In some places Indian pipe is abundant and in others it is rare. My first year with Indian pipe’s colonies I harvested 1/3 of the aerial parts of one colony. I have watched that specific colony for four years now. The parts I took did not fruit again. That colony has decreased in size every year. Now in my other colonies, I take one stem adding it to my tincture. Where there has been disturbance by foot or hands, the Indian pipe seems to be reduced the following year. There is herbalist who recommends harvesting roots and flowers. I would suggest to harvest the aerial parts and leave the roots. The flowers bruise easily and should be handled with care. I like to harvest after the rain. I have noticed low rain amounts in the month of October decrease flower activity as well.
Let’s talk about the Indian pipe’s medicinal actions. In all of my references and studies, Indian pipe is used for pain and as a nervine to assist when neurological chemistry have a disruption. The type of pain that Indian pipe addresses are in extremely acute situations, severe injuries. The kind of situation is where you typically go for a prescription from the doctor or you are in the dentist’s chair or an emergency room. The King’s American Dispensatory has stated that the powdered Indian pipe could be used “as a substitute for opium, without the deleterious influences”. Those you have taken Indian pipe in extreme pain describe it’s work as grounding. It doesn’t make the pain go away but puts you in a place that you can deal with it. Think of receiving Nitrous Oxide at the dentist, type of results. Your present, alert and the treatment is bearable. For those who suffer from the pain of Lyme disease, have been helped as well by Indian pipes. Migraines from traumatic brain injuries have been improved. Some herbalist recommends combining the Indian pipe with other herbs such a hawthorn berry or cannabis, herbs that will dull or lull the senses.
Indian pipe works on emotional pain as well. Those who suffer from severe anxiety, Panic attacks or those receiving heartbreaking news with sensory overload can benefit from small dosages of Indian pipe. One of my favorite herbs that I use every day, Tulsi helps with these types of situations as well. Grounding you in the moment of intense overload from a stressful situation that knocks you down emotionally. Indian pipe calms the spirit and brings a restful sleep that allows the person to recover and be restored in the event of intense physical or emotional pain.
Native Americans used Indian pipe as an eyewash for ophthalmological inflammations. Harvey W. Felter and John Lloyd stated uses for fever, childhood seizures, epileptic seizures, and bladder inflammation. That said I have not found any references to long term use for opioid substitutions. So we do not know the effects of applying the Indian pipe in that way.
Let’s talk about how I use the Indian pipe. After the rain, I harvest a few at a time. Tincturing fresh in 100% proof vodka. The tincture turns a deep purple. The dosage depends on the person and the situation. Start with three drops of the tincture. If the person does not respond to a 3-drop dosage, jump to 1 mL. In some cases of severe panic/agitation, Sean Donahue, MA Herbalist has given several 1mL drop doses at 5-minute intervals before seeing the desired effect for pain, seizers, anxiety, panic, or fevers.
I end with a beautiful poem by a special lady, Catharine Esther Beecher. Beecher wrote poems that were published in the Christian Spectator under the signature C.D.D. Catherine’s other famous siblings included Isabella Beecher Hooker, a suffrage leader, and Henry Ward Beecher, a Brooklyn pastor, whose lectures against slavery or supporting temperance and women’s suffrage attracted thousands. Catharine Esther Beecher was a nineteenth-century teacher and writer who promoted equal access to education for women and advocated for their roles as teachers and mothers. Embracing traits associated with femininity such as nurturance, Beecher argued that women were uniquely suited to the moral and intellectual development of children, either as mothers or as educators. Catherine writes:
To the Monotropa, or Ghost Flower:
Pale, mournful flower, that hidest in shade
Mild, dewy damps and murky glade,
With moss and mould,
Why dost thou hang thy ghastly head,
So sad and cold?
I encourage you to walk carefully and look for this beautiful and unique friend on your next walk in the deep woods.
