Common Name:

General Information

Swertia nervosa is an erect, annual plant growing around 30 - 100cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Nepal, northeast India, northern Myanmar, southern and eastern China

Habitat

Open slopes, cultivated ground, beside streams, hillsides, scrub, scattered forests; at elevations from 400 - 3,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Swertia species are generally plants of moderate to high elevations where they are often found on damp slopes and humus-rich, peat mosses. They grow best in areas with cool summers and perennial species are generally cold-hardy to temperatures down to around -15°c[].
Swertia species generally grow well in humus-rich soils in damp, open woodland, by streams or in bog gardens[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots are boiled in water and the decoction is drunk to treat fevers, coughs and colds[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in trays in spring in a humus-rich medium in temperatures not exceeding 10°c[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer.