Cao Yu Mei

Anemone rivularis

Physical Characteristics

Anemone rivularis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from April to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - Tibet, Himalayas, Sri Lanka.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: Seeds - roasted and pickled[272].

Medicinal Uses

Analgesic Antidote Antiemetic Vermifuge The plant is said to be antiemetic and vermifuge[91]. It is said to warm the stomach and stop vomiting. A paste made from the plant is used in Nepal to treat coughs and fevers[272]. The juice of the leaf, mixed with water, is inhaled through each nostril to treat sinusitis[272]. The seeds are used in Tibetan medicine, they are said to have a bitter and acrid taste with a heating potency[241]. Analgesic and antidote, they are used in the treatment of rotting tissues, snake poisoning and stomach/intestinal pain from worm infestation[241]. A decoction of the root is applied externally to cuts and wounds[272].

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, many members of this genus contain protoanemonin, an irritating acrid oil that is an enzymatic breakdown product of the glycoside ranunculin. While protoanemonin can cause severe topical and gastrointestinal irritation, it is unstable and changes into harmless anemonin when plants are dried or heated[4, 10, 19, 65, 270].