Dipsacus japonicus
| Dipsacus japonicus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Dipsacus japonicus (common name: xu duan)
Propagation: Seed - we have no details but suggest sowing it in a greenhouse in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cultivation: 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. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Prefers a well-drained humus-rich soil in sun or semi-shade.
Range: E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat: Wild places and roadsides in China[1]. Sunny places at elevations of 300 - 1500 metres in central and southern Japan[2].
Edibility: Young leaves - cooked. A famine food, used when all else fails[3].
Medicinal: The roots are antirheumatic, cancer, emmenagogue, galactofuge, haemostatic, hepatic and tonic. It is used as a kidney tonic[4][1][5][6]. A decoction of the root is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthralgia, traumatic injuries, backache and weak knees, seminal emissions, polyuria and also to secure abortions[5][7].
The seed is diuretic[7].
The plant is used in the treatment of rheumatism[7]. It also has a long history of folk use in the treatment of breast cancer[7].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ Flora of Japan.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
- ↑ Stuart, George. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei Southern Materials Centre.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.