Common Name: |
Western Larch |
Other Names: |
Arabinogalactan, Common Larch, European Larch, Larch, Larch Arabinogalactan, Larch Gum, Mongolia Larch, Wood Gum |
Botanical Name: |
Larix decidua syn. L. europaea, Larix occidentalis |
Genus: |
Larix |
Family: |
Pinaceae |
Native Location: |
C Europe, N Russia, Siberia |
Cultivation: |
Moist; well-drained soil in an open, sunny position. Remove lower branches of specimen trees to give a clean trunk. To maintain a single leading shoot, remove secondary leaders. Larches may suffer from rust and honey fungus, adelgids, and sawfly. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown in early spring; by semi-ripe cuttings under mist in summer; by grafting in winter. Difficult to root from cuttings. |
Harvest: |
Bark is stripped in late spring and dried for use in decoctions, powders, and tinctures. Tree is tapped for resin in autumn. |
Height: |
30m (100ft) |
Width: |
4-6m (12-20ft) |
Variations: |
Corley Is dwarf, with a rounded to spreading habit, suitable for rock gardens and containers. Height: 1m (3ft) Width: 1m (3ft)
Pendula Has a drooping, though often irregular habit, and is an attractive specimen when young. |
Hardiness: |
Z2-6 |
Parts Used: |
Bark, Resin |
Properties: |
A bitter, astringent herb with a turpentine like smell. It relieves bronchial congestion, is diuretic, and promotes healing. |
Medicinal Uses: |
Internally for bronchitis and urinary tract inflammation (bark); for tapeworm, diarrhea, failure to menstruate, and as an antidote for phosphorus poisoning (resin). Not given to patients with kidney disease. Externally for infected wounds and skin problems, such as eczema and psoriasis (bark decoction, resin). To treat colds, flu, ear inflammation in children, HIV, and AIDS; as a dietary fiber supplement; to stimulate the immune system. |
Typical Dose: |
A typical dose of larch is approximately 1 tsp larch arabinogalactan powder mixed with water or juice, taken two or three times daily. |
Possible Side Effects: |
Larch's side effects include flatulence and bloating. |
Drug Interactions: |
Taking larch with these drugs may interfere with the action of the drug: |
Antithymocyte Globuline (Equine), (Atgam) |
Antithymocyle Globuline (Rabbit), (Thymoglobulin) |
Azathioprine, (Imuran) |
Basiliximab, (Simulect) |
Beclomethasone, (Beconase, Vanceril) |
Betamethasone, (Celestone, Diprolene) |
Budesonide, (Entocort, Rhinocort) |
Budesonide and Formoterol, (Symbicort) |
Cortisone, (Cortone) |
Cyclosporine, (Neoral, Sandimmune) |
Daclizumab, (Zenapax) |
Deflazacort, (Calcort, Dezacor) |
Dexamethasone, (Decadron, Dexasone) |
Efalizumab, (Raptiva) |
Flunisolide, (AeroBid, Nasarel) |
Fluorometholone, (Eflone, Flarex) |
Fluticasone, (Cutivate, Flonase) |
Hydrocortisone, (Anusol-HC, Locoid) |
Loteprednol, (Alrex, Lotemax) |
Medrysone, (HMS Liquifilm) |
Methotrexate, (Rheumatrex, Trexall) |
Methylprednisolone, (Medrol, Depo-Medrol) |
Muromonab-CD3, (Orthoclone OKT3) |
Mycophenolate, (CellCept) |
Pimecrolimus, (Elidel) |
Prednisolone, (Inflamase Forte, Pred Forte) |
Prednisone, (Apo-Prednisone, Deltasone) |
Rimexolone, (Vexol) |
Sirolimus, (Rapamune) |
Tacrolimus, (Prograf, Protopic) |
Thalidomide, (Thalomid) |
Triamcinolone, (Aristocort, Trinasal) |
|
Disease Effects: |
May interfere with therapies that depend on suppressing the immune system. |
Bibliography: |
The Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright © 1995, 2005. Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 251. The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD pp.302-303 |