Carpesium abrotanoides

Physical Characteristics

Carpesium abrotanoides is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from September to November, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. 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

S. Europe to E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Himalayas.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Leaves - cooked[177]. A sweet flavour, though they smell of foxes[179].

Medicinal Uses

Alterative Antiphlogistic Antiscorbutic Astringent Depurative Diuretic Emetic Expectorant Febrifuge Laxative Pectoral Stings Vermifuge Vulnerary The whole plant is alterative, antiscorbutic, astringent, depurative discutient, emetic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative and vulnerary[147, 178, 218]. A decoction is used in the treatment of bronchitis, tonsillitis, boils and ulcers and snakebites[147]. The stem juice is used to treat insect bites[218]. This juice is also a very effective remedy for sore throat[218]. A decoction of the fruit is vermifuge[218]. The seed is antiphlogistic, diuretic, laxative, pectoral and vermifuge[218, 240]. The seeds are used to expel round worms, tapeworms and pin worms[147]. A 20% concentrate of seed decoction cured 69% of children with worms and effected an improvement in another 19%[218]. The root is diuretic and vermifuge[240].

Known Hazards

None known