Eupatorium japonicum
| Eupatorium japonicum | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 7' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Eupatorium japonicum (common name: pei lan)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.
Division in spring or autumn[1]. Very easy, the clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions.
Cultivation: Succeeds in ordinary well-drained but moisture retentive garden soil in sun or part shade[2].
A very polymorphic species[3], it is closely related to E. cannabinum[4].
This species is a member of natural moist grassland flora on river banks in the Kanto District of Japan. Due to urbanization of this area, the habitat is now restricted to a very small area, and the species is endangered[5].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[6].
Range: E. Asia - S. China, Japan.
Habitat: Moist grassland along river banks[5].
Edibility: Young leaves - cooked. Boiled and well seasoned[7].
Root - cooked. It is sometimes eaten for food and is considered beneficial to the circulation[8].
Medicinal: The leaves and stems are anodyne, antibacterial, antiviral, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, nervine and vermifuge[9][8]. They are taken internally in the treatment of indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, feverish colds etc[10][9][11]. In excess the plant causes irritation to the stomach[11]. The leaves and stems are harvested in the summer before the flower buds open, and are dried for later use[11]. The plant contains the essential oil thymol. In large doses this can cause various health problems such as headaches, tinnitus, vertigo, inhibition of respiration and the circulation[9]. Use with caution[9].
The seed is prescribed in China for the '36 diseases of women'[8].
The root is considered to be beneficial to the circulation and a restorative to women after parturition[8]. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[11].
The herbage, soaked in oil, is applied to the hair as a treatment for dandruff[8].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: E. japonicum. Thunb.
Links
References
- ↑ Sanders, Thomas. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge, 1926.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Flora of Japan.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
- ↑ Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.