Bergenia ciliata

Physical Characteristics

Bergenia ciliata is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from March to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor 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 - Himalayas from Afghanistan to E. Tibet.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

The flowers are boiled and then pickled[272].

Medicinal Uses

Lithontripic Ophthalmic Poultice Tonic Urinary A juice or powder of the whole plant is used to treat urinary troubles in Nepal[272]. The juice of the leaves is used as drops to relieve earaches[272]. The root is used as a tonic in the treatment of fevers, diarrhoea and pulmonary affections[218, 240, 243]. The root juice is used to treat coughs and colds, haemorrhoids, asthma and urinary problems[272]. Externally, the root is bruised and applied as a poultice to boils and ophthalmia, it is also considered helpful in relieving backache[243, 272]. The root of this plant has a high reputation in indigenous systems of medicine for dissolving stones in the kidneys[240].

Known Hazards

None known