Common Name:

General Information

Scrophularia ningpoensis is a herbaceous perennial plant that can grow up to 150cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern and eastern China.

Habitat

Gullies, thickets and wet waste places along the edges of rivers and streams[]. Bamboo forests, along streams, thickets, tall grasses; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Scrophularia ningpoensis has a wide range in China, growing from hardiness zones 7 - 10. It is said to tolerate winter temperatures falling to at least -15°c[].
Succeeds in most moist to wet soils in full sun or partial shade[, ].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

This species has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for over 2,000 years[].
The root is antibacterial, antifungal, antiinflammatory, antipyretic, antiphlogistic, cardiac, diuretic, febrifuge, haemolytic, hypoglycaemic, restorative, sialogogue, tonic and vasodilator[, , , ]. Small doses act as a heart tonic, whilst large doses depress cardiac function[, ]. The root is used internally in the treatment of feverish illnesses with symptoms such as rashes, delirium and insomnia; erythema. constipation. Prurigo, dry cough, throat infections, abscesses and carbuncles[, ].
The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[].

The roots. collected in autumn. are well washed and wrapped up for 5 - 10 days. until the inside goes black[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.