Oenanthe aquatica
| Oenanthe aquatica | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 5' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Oenanthe aquatica (common name: water dropwort)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring or late summer in situ.
Cultivation: Requires shallow water or a very wet fertile soil[1].
Individual plants are biennial, dying after flowering. The plant perrenates, however, by means of offsets[2].
Range: Europe, including Britain, though absent from the far north, to W. Asia.
Habitat: In slow moving or stagnant water[2], and by the sides of streams, avoiding acid conditions[3].
Medicinal: The fruit is antiperiodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant and pectoral. It is used in the treatment of chronic pectoral affections, dyspepsia, intermittent fevers, obstinate ulcers etc[3][4][5]. This plant should be used with great caution, and only under the supervision of an experienced practitioner. In overdose the fruits cause vertigo, intoxication and other narcotic effects.
The roots have been used externally in the treatment of piles[3].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the fruits. It is used in the treatment of bronchitis, coughs etc[4].
Pollinators: Bees, flies, beetles
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: All parts of the plant are poisonous[3][4][6][7]. It is said to contain the alleged 'psychotroph' myristicine[8].
Also Known As: O. phellandrium. Phellandrium aquaticum.
Links
References
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.
- ↑ Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.