Anemarrhena asphodeloides

The only member of its genus, A. asphodeloides resembles an asphodel in appearance, as its name suggests, and is night-flowering. This attractive plant has potential as an ornamental, but is little known in the West. Though neither widespread nor common, it has largely been collected in the wild for medicinal use. A. asphodeloides was first recorded in traditional Chinese medicine c.CE200. It contains steroidal saponins, including asphonin, that has proven anti-pyretic effects. Studies are being carried out in China aiming to establish it as a cultivated crop.

Common Name:	Akebia
Botanical Name:	Akebia trifoliata syn. A. lobata (akebia)
Genus:	Akebia
Family:	Lardizabalaceae
Native Location:	China, Japan, Korea
Cultivation:	Well-drained soil in sun. Even where hardy, new leaves and flowers may be damaged by severe frost.
Propagation:	By seed sown in spring or autumn; by semi-ripe cuttings in summer; by layering in winter. They dislike disturbance.
Harvest:	Stems are cut in autumn and are dried for use in decoctions and powders. Young leaves are picked in spring and are dried. Fruits are harvested when ripe and are used fresh.
Height:	10m (30ft)
Hardiness:	Z5-8
Parts Used:	Stems (mu tong), leaves, fruits
Properties:	A pungent, bitter herb that controls bacterial and fungal infections, stimulates the circulatory and urinary systems and female organs, and is a potent diuretic due to the high content of potassium salts.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally for urinary tract infections, rheumatoid arthritis, absence of menstruation, and insufficient lactation. A stew of mu tong and pork knuckles is a traditional Chinese method of promoting lactation.
Culinary Uses:	Dried leaves are used for tea. Fruit pulp is eaten fresh.
Bibliography:	Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pp 109