Devil's Shoestring is the common name for several plants that grow in North America. These plants are in the honeysuckle family and all of them grow in the woods. The roots of all three are used medically as antispasmodics, especially to ease menstrual cramps. The "strings" of Devil's Shoestrings are not string-like at all, rather they are long and flexible, sort of like rattan or honeysuckle vine, only they are roots, not canes. The big ones are smooth and thicker than pencils; the little ones are wiry and thin, like St. John's wort roots.*