Common Name: |
Black Figwort |
Other Names: |
Ningpo Figwort |
Botanical Name: |
Scrophularia ningpoensis |
Genus: |
Scrophularia |
Family: |
Scrophulariaceae |
Native Location: |
China |
Cultivation: |
Moist to wet soil in sun or partial shade. Plants may be damaged by larvae of the figwort weevil. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown in autumn or spring; by division in spring; by basal cuttings in spring; by softwood cuttings in summer. |
Harvest: |
Roots (S. ningpoensis) are lifted in autumn and dried for use in decoctions. Plants (S. nodosa) are cut when flowering and dried for use in infusions, liquid extracts, ointments, poultices, and tinctures. |
Height: |
60cm-1.2m (2-4ft) |
Width: |
30-45cm (12-18in) |
Hardiness: |
Z6-8 |
Parts Used: |
Roots (xuan shen) |
Properties: |
A bitter, saline, cooling herb that lowers fever, blood pressure, and blood sugar, and has anti-bacterial effects. Small doses act as a heart tonic; large doses depress cardiac function. |
Medicinal Uses: |
Internally for feverish illnesses with symptoms such as rashes, delirium, and insomnia (associated with excess heat), dry cough, throat infections, abscesses, and carbuncles. |
Bibliography: |
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limites. Pg 364
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