Gillenia trifoliata
| Gillenia trifoliata | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Height: | 4' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Gillenia trifoliata (common name: indian physic)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[1]. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on for the first year in a lightly shaded area of the greenhouse or cold frame. Plant out in late spring and protect from slugs until well established.
Division in spring or autumn[2].
Cultivation: Easily grown in a rather moist but well-drained lime-free peaty soil in semi-shade[3][1]. Succeeds in any well-drained soil[4]. Succeeds in a sunny position but requires shade at the hottest part of the day[1].
A very ornamental plant, but it can be difficult to establish due to slug damage[5]. The stems usually require support[4].
Range: Eastern N. America - Ontario and New York, east to Michigan and south to Georgia and Missouri.
Habitat: Rocky open woods[5]. Rich woods[6].
Medicinal: The dried powdered root bark is cathartic, slightly diaphoretic, a mild and efficient emetic, expectorant and tonic[3][7][8][2]. Minute doses are used internally in the treatment of colds, chronic diarrhoea, constipation, asthma and other bronchial complaints[2][9]. The roots have been used externally in the treatment of rheumatism[9]. A cold infusion of the roots has been given, or the root chewed, in the treatment of bee and other stings[9]. The roots are harvested in the autumn, the bark is removed and dried for later use[8][2].
A tea made from the whole plant is strongly laxative and emetic[10]. Minute doses are used internally in the treatment of colds, indigestion, asthma and hepatitis[10]. A poultice or wash is used in the treatment of rheumatism, bee stings and swellings[10]. A decoction or strong infusion of the whole plant has been taken a pint at a time as an emetic[9].
A poultice of the plant has been used to treat leg swellings[9].
The plant has been used in the treatment of toothaches[9].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Porteranthus trifoliatus. (L.)Britt.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.