Common Name:

General Information

Dolomiaea macrocephala is a prostrate, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a long, stout, aromatic taproot; it produces a basal rosette of long, spreading, lobed leaves with a dense central domed cluster up to 10cm across, of rather large purple flower-heads on short stems[]
The plant is commonly used as incense and as a medicinal herb in India, where it is gathered in large quantities from the wild for local use and for trade[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Himalayas of northwest India to Nepal

Habitat

Open alpine grassy slopes, rocky areas, morainic deposits, screes, at elevations from 3,000 - 4,300 metres[, , ]

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any ordinary soil in a sunny position[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The root is cordial, febriguge and stimulant[]. A decoction is given in the treatment of various conditions including stomach aches, colic, diarrhoea, headaches, coughs, colds, fevers, arthritis, rheumatism, gout and puerperal fever[, , ]. The juice of the roots is used in the treatment of fevers[].
The bruised root is applied as a poultice to treat skin eruptions, wounds and boils[, ].

An aromatic oil obtained from the roots is used in the treatment of gout and rheumatism[].
Powder mixtures prepared from the rhizomes, combined with the rhizomes of Rheum emodii, and the root of Valeriana jatamansi, are used to treat nervous debility[].

Various chemical compounds have been extracted from the plant:-
An extract from the root revealed flavonoid and phenolic content with antioxidant potential[]. The antioxidant activity has the potential for use in treating oxidative stress related disorders[].
The root extract has shown some antibacterial properties[]

Other Uses

The aromatic roots are used as incense and they form a chief ingredient of some local incense industries[, , , ].

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is obtained. Only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring[].