Japanese Water Plantain

This genus of ten species of marginal aquatic perennials occurs in northern temperate regions and in Australia. A. plantago-aquatica is grown in water gardens, but the Asian variety appears not to be in cultivation. The specific epithet refers to the similarity of its leaves to Plantago major (see Plantain) and to its aquatic habitat. A. plantago-aquatica var. orientale has a long history of use in Chinese medicine and is mentioned in texts daitng back to about CE200.

Aquatic perennial with a stout , upright stem and long-stalked, narrowly ovate leaves, 5-10cm (2-4in) long. Tall panicles of small, three-petaled white flowers appear in late summer.


Common Name:
Japanese Water Plantain
Botanical Name:
Alisma plantago-aquatica var. orientale syn. A. orientale
Genus:
Alisma
Family:
Alismataceae
Native Location:
China and Japan
Cultivation:
Water to 25cm (10in) deep in an open, sunny position.
Propagation:
By seed sown in late summer; by division in spring
Harvest:
Roots are harvested before flowering and dried for decoctions.
Height:
70cm (28in)
:Width
70cm (28in)
Hardiness:
Z5-8
Parts Used:
Roots (ze xie)
Properties:
A sweet, cooling herb that lowers blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for kidney and cardiovascular disease, fluid retention, and acute diarrhea. Used in traditional Chinese medicine for kidney weakness, which manifests as deafness, tinnitus, and dizziness. Beleived to stimulate the female genitalia.
Bibliography:
Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pp 110-111