Common Name: Asarabacca

General Information

Asarum europaeum is a low-growing, evergreen perennial plant producing a cluster of leaves up to 10cm tall from a creeping rootstock, The plant can spread freely at the roots to form quite large colonies. The rather interesting, but unpleasant-smelling flowers are hidden amongst the leaves[].
Asarabacca has a history of herbal use dating back over 2,500 years, though it is little used in modern herbalism. The plant is also the source of a dye and is grown as an ornamental in gardens, especially as a ground cover for shady places.

Known Hazards

The plant is poisonous in large doses[, ], the toxin is neutralized by drying[].

Botanical References

Range

Central and southern Europe, east to W. Asia. Naturalized in Britain[].

Habitat

Open woodland and waterside thickets[, ], especially in beech woodlands[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.10 m
Pollinators	Self, Flies
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[].
Prefers a rich moist neutral to acid soil in woodland or a shady position in the rock garden[, ]. Other reports say that this plant prefers a calcareous soil[, , ].
The flowers are malodorous and are mainly self-pollinated but are also pollinated by mycotrophic flies[, ].
The root has a pungent, aromatic smell like mild pepper and ginger mixed, but more strongly aromatic.
Plants often self-sow when growing in a suitable position[].
This plant was at one time commonly cultivated as a medicinal herb[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Asarabacca has a long history of herbal use dating back at least to the time of the ancient Greeks, though it is little used in modern herbalism[].

The root, leaves and stems are cathartic, diaphoretic, emetic, errhine, sternutatory, stimulant and tonic[, , , , , , ]. The plant has a strong peppery taste and smell[]. It is used in the treatment of affections of the brain, eyes, throat and mouth[, ]. When taken as a snuff, it produces a copious flow of mucous[].
The root is harvested in the spring and dried for later use[].
Use with caution[], see the notes above on toxicity.

An essential oil in the root contains 50% asarone and is 65% more toxic than peppermint oil[]. This essential oil is the emetic and expectorant principle of the plant and is of value in the treatment of digestive tract lesions, silicosis, dry pharyngeal and laryngeal catarrh etc[].

The plant is used in homeopathy, where it is used especially as a remedy for nervous affections, loss of energy[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A useful ground cover for a shady position so long as the soil is not dry[], spreading by its roots[].

Other Uses

A vibrant apple-green dye is obtained from plant[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the summer[]. Stored seed will require 3 weeks cold stratification and should be sown in late winter[]. The seed usually germinates in the spring in 1 - 4 or more weeks at 18°c[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out when large enough in late spring.
Division in spring or autumn. Plants are slow to increase[]. It is best to pot the divisions up and keep them in light shade in the greenhouse until they are growing away strongly.