Common Name:

General Information

Onosma paniculata is a biennial (occasionally a short-lived perennial) plant producing a single, unbranched stem around 40 - 80cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of a dye.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Himalayas of northeast India and southern China

Habitat

Arid slopes and forest margins; at elevations from 2,000 - 2,300 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Biennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally require a sunny position in a well-drained soil[, ]. Prefers a deep rather rich sandy loam[]. Tolerates hot dry conditions and also drought once it is established, but dislikes moist climates at any time of the year[, ]. Species in this genus tend to grow well in crevices in a rock garden or on a wall[, ].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Species in the genus Onosma L. generally have been shown to contain several medically-active compounds including alkannin and shikonin, flavonoids, ferulic and vanillic acids. A study has shown that these phytochemicals have significant anti-inflammatory and anti-pain activity and that they are also ikely to be responsible for the wound healing and antibacterial actions[].

The roots are used as a substitute for Lithospermum erythrorhizon in Chinese medicine[]. They are used for the treatment of various diseases including cancer[].

The uses of Lithospermum erythrorhizon are as follows:-

All parts of the plant are antitumor, cardiotonic, contraceptive, depurative and febrifuge[, , , , ]. The plant is used internally in the treatment of irritant skin conditions, measles, chicken pox, boils, carbuncles, hepatitis and skin cancer[].
Externally it is used to treat nappy rash, burns, cuts, wounds, abscesses, eczema and haemorrhoids[, , , , ].
The plants are harvested when in flower, the roots in the autumn[]. They are dried for later use[].

Other Uses

The roots contain a purple dye[].

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in early spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in early summer.