Xu Duan

Dipsacus japonicus

Physical Characteristics

Dipsacus japonicus is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 6in). It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). 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, Japan.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Young leaves - cooked. A famine food, used when all else fails[177].

Medicinal Uses

Antirheumatic Cancer Emmenagogue Galactofuge Haemostatic Hepatic Kidney Tonic The roots contain alkaloids, tannins and sugars[283]. They are antirheumatic, cancer, emmenagogue, galactofuge, haemostatic, hepatic and tonic. It is used as a kidney tonic[61, 147, 176, 178]. A decoction of the root is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthralgia, traumatic injuries, backache and weak knees, seminal emissions, polyuria and also to secure abortions[176, 218]. The seed is diuretic[218]. The plant is used in the treatment of rheumatism[218]. It also has a long history of folk use in the treatment of breast cancer[218].

Known Hazards

None known