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Carpesium abrotanoides - L.

Author	L.	Botanical references	58, 275
Family	Compositae	Genus	Carpesium
Synonyms	Carpesium thunbergianum - Siebold.&Zucc.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	S. Europe to E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Himalayas.
Habitat	Woods all over Japan[58]. Waste places and grassy fields in lowlands, also along forest edges[275].
Edibility Rating	2 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	2 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 1m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves.

Leaves - cooked[177]. A sweet flavour, though they smell of foxes[179].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Alterative; Antiphlogistic; Antiscorbutic; Astringent; Depurative; Diuretic; Emetic; Expectorant; Febrifuge; Laxative; Pectoral; Stings; Vermifuge; Vulnerary.

The whole plant is alterative, antiscorbutic, astringent, depurative discutient, emetic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative and vulnerary[147, 178, 218]. A decoction is used in the treatment of bronchitis, tonsillitis, boils and ulcers and snakebites[147]. The stem juice is used to treat insect bites[218]. This juice is also a very effective remedy for sore throat[218]. A decoction of the fruit is vermifuge[218]. The seed is antiphlogistic, diuretic, laxative, pectoral and vermifuge[218, 240]. The seeds are used to expel round worms, tapeworms and pin worms[147]. A 20% concentrate of seed decoction cured 69% of children with worms and effected an improvement in another 19%[218]. The root is diuretic and vermifuge[240].

Other Uses

Insecticide.

The seed has insecticidal properties[178]. Another report says that the plant might have insecticidal properties[218].

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. See the plants native habitat for ideas on its cultivation needs.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the compost to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring.

Links

References

[58] Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965
The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.

[147] ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press 0 ISBN 0-914294-92-X
A very readable herbal from China, combining some modern methods with traditional chinese methods.

[177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[178] Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 0
A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.

[179] Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977
A translation of an ancient Chinese book on edible wild foods. Fascinating.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

[275] Flora of Japan 0
An on-line version of the flora - an excellent resource.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

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