Lindera strychnifolia

Physical Characteristics

Lindera strychnifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 9 m (29ft 6in). It is in leaf all year. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required).. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Anodyne Antiphlogistic Antispasmodic Aromatic Astringent Carminative Decongestant Diaphoretic Febrifuge Sedative Stomachic Tonic Aromatic, decongestant, stomachic[174]. The fruit is diuretic and vermicidal[147]. A decoction is used in the treatment of abdominal distension, menstrual pain, stomach chills, dysuria, oedema, fungal infections, scabies and worms[147, 218, 238]. The seed is febrifuge[218]. The root is anodyne, antiphlogistic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, stomachic and tonic[147, 176, 218]. It is used with ginseng (Panax spp.), liquorice (Glycyrrhiza spp) and lignaloes (the report does not say what this is) to form a famous Chinese sedative[218]. The root s used in the treatment of menstrual pain, enuresis, frequent micturation and distension with pain of the lower abdomen[176].

Known Hazards

None known