Collinsonia

Botanical

What is it

Collinsonia (Collinsonia canadensis), also known as stone root, is a North American perennial plant whose root is used in traditional Western herbalism for hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and urinary complaints.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Hemorrhoids/venous symptoms (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Long folk use; no controlled clinical trials.

How it works

The root contains tannins, saponins, and a small amount of volatile oil. Traditional Eclectic medicine considered it a vasotonic, particularly for the venous system. Modern pharmacological data are limited and there is no controlled clinical evidence for any specific indication. The astringent tannin content gives some plausibility for local effects in hemorrhoids and gastrointestinal complaints.

Dosage

No RDA. Traditional doses are 1-2 g of dried root as a tea or 2-4 mL of tincture daily.

When and how to take it

No timing baseline established.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Dried root powder/tincture

Eclectic herbal use.

Traditional preparation.

Safety

Generally well tolerated in traditional doses. Long-term modern safety data are absent.

Who should be cautious

Pregnancy and lactation: avoid due to lack of safety data.

Interactions

No documented clinical interactions.

Frequently asked questions

Does stone root really help hemorrhoids?⌄

No controlled studies. Traditional use is long-standing but evidence is limited.

Is it safe to use long-term?⌄

Modern safety data are sparse; short-term traditional use appears tolerated.

References

Collinsonia on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Collinsonia on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Collinsonia (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.