This is a poorly known species, its generic position and natural area are uncertain[].

Common Name:

General Information

Cnidium officinale is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.50 metres tall.
The plant is cultivated in Japan and Korea for its roots, which are used medicinally. It is alsos harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been found for this plant, at least one member of this genus has a report of toxicity so some caution is advised for this species.

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - ?Japan, ?Korea

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is likely to require a well-drained soil in a sunny position.
The plant is cultivated in Japan, and grows best in the cooler parts of that country[]. It is cultivated for medicinal use in Korea[].

Edible Uses

Young shoots - cooked. The report says that the shoots are edible after the bitterness is removed[].

Medicinal

The root is analgesic, antibacterial, anticonvulsive, antiinflammatory, febrifuge, hypotensive, sedative and vasodilator[, , ]. It is used especially in the treatment of headaches[] and also in the treatment of abnormal menstruation, dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, cerebral embolism, weakness, pain and coronary heart disease[, ].

The root has an antibacterial action that inhibits the growth of a range of bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Bacillus dysenteriae, Pseudomonas species, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio proteus[].

Other Uses

An extract of the roots is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

Propagation

Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing it as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Alternatively, sow stored seed in late winter in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.