Oldenlandia diffusa
| Oldenlandia diffusa | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Oldenlandia diffusa (common name: snake-needle grass)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in situ.
Cultivation: Prefers growing in a damp soil in partial shade[1].
This species is not very hardy outdoors in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[1]. It should be possible to grow it as a spring-sown annual in most parts of the country[K].
Range: E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea and Formosa.
Habitat: Moist ground and fields[1]. A weed of gardens and fields[2].
Medicinal: Snake-needle grass is a pleasant-tasting cooling, alterative herb that lowers fever, reduces inflammation, relieves pain and is diuretic and antibacterial[1]. It acts mainly on the liver and also stimulates the immune system[1].
The whole plant is alterative, anodyne, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, cardiotonic, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge and sedative[2][3][1]. The plant is harvested in the summer and dried for later use[1]. It is taken internally in the treatment of fevers, coughs, asthma, jaundice, impure blood, urinary tract infections, acute appendicitis, biliousness and cancers of the digestive tract[3][1][4]. Externally, it is used in the treatment of snake bites, boils, abscesses and severe bruising[3][1].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
- ↑ Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.