Cnidium officinale
Makino
Apiaceae
This is a poorly known species, its generic position and natural area are uncertain[
].
Ligusticum officinale (Makino) Kitag.
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
279- Title
- Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Publisher
- World Health Organisation, Manila
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 92 9061 120 0
- Description
- An excellent book with terse details about the medicinal uses of the plants with references to scientific trials. All plants are described, illustrated and brief details of habitats given.
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[
174- Title
- Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kariyone. T.
- Publisher
- Nihon Rinshosha; Osaka
- Year
- 1973
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A good Japanese herbal.
]. It is cultivated for medicinal use in Korea[
279- Title
- Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Publisher
- World Health Organisation, Manila
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 92 9061 120 0
- Description
- An excellent book with terse details about the medicinal uses of the plants with references to scientific trials. All plants are described, illustrated and brief details of habitats given.
].
Edible Uses
Young shoots - cooked. The report says that the shoots are edible after the bitterness is removed[
177- Title
- Plants for Human Consumption.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kunkel. G.
- Publisher
- Koeltz Scientific Books
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 3874292169
- Description
- An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
].
Medicinal
The root is analgesic, antibacterial, anticonvulsive, antiinflammatory, febrifuge, hypotensive, sedative and vasodilator[
174- Title
- Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kariyone. T.
- Publisher
- Nihon Rinshosha; Osaka
- Year
- 1973
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A good Japanese herbal.
,
176- Title
- Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Yeung. Him-Che.
- Publisher
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.
,
279- Title
- Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Publisher
- World Health Organisation, Manila
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 92 9061 120 0
- Description
- An excellent book with terse details about the medicinal uses of the plants with references to scientific trials. All plants are described, illustrated and brief details of habitats given.
]. It is used especially in the treatment of headaches[
174- Title
- Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kariyone. T.
- Publisher
- Nihon Rinshosha; Osaka
- Year
- 1973
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A good Japanese herbal.
] and also in the treatment of abnormal menstruation, dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, cerebral embolism, weakness, pain and coronary heart disease[
176- Title
- Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Yeung. Him-Che.
- Publisher
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.
,
279- Title
- Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Publisher
- World Health Organisation, Manila
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 92 9061 120 0
- Description
- An excellent book with terse details about the medicinal uses of the plants with references to scientific trials. All plants are described, illustrated and brief details of habitats given.
].
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[
176- Title
- Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Yeung. Him-Che.
- Publisher
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.
].
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.
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Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
