She Chuang Zi, Monnier's snowparsley

Cnidium monnieri

Physical Characteristics

Cnidium monnieri is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Korea, Mongolia, Russia. Previously naturalized in the warmer areas of Europe[50].

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Shoots Edible Uses: Condiment The leaves are used as a condiment[61, 177, 183]. Young shoots[179]. No further details are given, but some caution is suggested because of a report of slight toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

Antipruritic Antirheumatic Aphrodisiac Astringent Carminative Eczema Sedative Vermifuge Vulnerary She Chuang Zi has been used for thousands of years in Chinese herbal medicine. It is mainly used externally as a lotion, powder or ointment for skin conditions such as eczema, ringworm and scabies[254]. The seed is antipruritic, aphrodisiac, antirheumatic, astringent, carminative, discutient, sedative, vermifuge and vulnerary[147, 176, 218]. A decoction is used internally in the treatment of Trichomonas vaginitis, leucorrhoea and uterine displacement[147]. The seed is also used in the treatment of impotence, often in conjunction with Schisandra chinensis[254]. It has been shown to have an action similar to the sex hormones, prolonging and reviving the copulation period, increasing the weight of the uterus and ovary, prostate gland and testicle[176]. A decoction of the seed or whole plant is applied externally to skin problems including weeping eczema[147].

Known Hazards

One report says that the plant is slightly toxic[147].