Kidneywort

November 10th, 2009

Botanical Name: Cotyledon Umbilicus
Family: N.O. Crassulaceae
Synonyms: Wall Pennywort. Penny Pies. Wall Pennyroyal.
Other Names: L. Navelwort. Pennywort. Cotylet, Nombril de Venus, Fr. Nabelkraut.
Habitat : Native of England, where it grows upon old walls and rocks, and dry sandy banks. Cultivated Beds; North Wall In; East Wall In; South Wall In; West Wall In;

Description: This is a perennial, herbaceous, succulent plant, of the fam. Crassulaceae. The Kidneywort or Navelwort (Cotyledon Umbilicus) is a remarkably succulent plant, mostly to be found on moist rocks and walls in the high-lying districts in the west of England.

The whole plant is a pale bright green and very smooth. The rootstock from which it springs is a small, roundish tuber, varying according to the size of the plant, from the dimension of a small pea to that of a large nut. The leaves, most of which grow directly from the rootstock, are in shape some what like those of the garden Nasturtium, being circular, their stalks, 2 to 6 inches long, springing from about the centre of their undersurfaces, an arrangement that is termed botanically peltate. The succulent blades of the leaves are about 1 to 3 inches across, slightly concave, having a depression in the centre, where joined to the foot-stalk; and from this feature the generic name, Cotyledon has been given, derived from the Greek cotyle (a cup). Some of the English names of the plant, Wall Pennywort, Wall Pennyroyal and Penny Pies, are references to the round form of the leaf suggesting a coin.
Kidneywort .. Kidneywort-1
At the end of May or early in June, stout reddish flowering stems arise, decumbent for a greater or less distance at the base, but then growing very erect to the height of 6 to 18 inches or more. They bear leaves which pass by intermediate gradation from those of a round peltate form to a shortly stalked, wedge-shaped one, and are terminated by a long raceme, or spike, of numerous, pendulous, bell-shaped, yellow-green flowers, with corollas about half an inch long. The calyx is small and, like the corolla, is five-cleft. The plant is in blossom from June to August, and the leaves often remain green most of the winter.

Cultivation details:- An easily grown plant, succeeding in any near neutral, gritty, moisture retentive but well-drained soil in sun or light shade. Plants are often found growing on walls, even succeeding on old brick and mortar walls Plants are hardy to about -15°c. A very attractive plant for the rock garden, the leaves often stay green all winter.

Propagation:- Seed – sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. Division in spring. Very easy, pant them straight out into their permanent positions. Leaf cuttings.

Constituents: The plant contains cellulose, starch, glucose, mucilage, chlorophyll, yellow coloring matter, a volatile oil of a sandarac-like odor, tannin, iron, and salts of potassium, sodium, calcium, and iron, with 0.9 per cent. of nitre, and 95 per cent. of water. (Ann. Ther., 1865, 125.)

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves.

Leaves - Raw or cooked. A very acceptable mild flavour in the winter and early spring, they can be used in quantity in salads at this time. The leaves become rather stronger-tasting in the summer and are not so pleasant then.

Medicinal Uses: The juice and extract of the Kidneywort had an old reputation for epilepsy, especially among herb doctors in the west of England, where it is most frequently found; its use as a remedy in epilepsy was revived last century even in regular practice, but it has obtained no permanent reputation as a remedy.

It has been highly lauded in epilepsy (for references, see 16th edition U. S. D.), but it has very feeble and uncertain therapeutic properties. Dose, of fresh juice, from one-half to one fluidounce (15-30 mils), two or three times a day; of fluidextract, one fluidrachm (3.75 mils); of dry extract, five grains (0.32 Gm.); to be increased and given steadily for months.

It is applied by the peasantry in Wales to the eyes as a remedy in some diseases. The leaves, bruised to a pulp and applied as a poultice, are said to cure piles, and are also recommended as an application for slight burns or scalds. A decoction of the leaves is considered cooling and diuretic, and the juice when taken inwardly to be excellent for inflammation of the liver and spleen.

The leaves are also made into a poultice and used in the treatment of piles, slight burns and scalds. A decoction of the leaves is considered to be cooling and diuretic and the juice taken inwardly is said to be excellent for treating inflammations of the liver and spleen

Culpepper tells us that:
‘the juice or distilled water being drunk is very effectual for all inflammations, to cool a fainting stomach, a hot liver or the bowels; the herb, juice or distilled water outwardly applied healeth pimples, St. Anthony’s Fire (erysipelas) and other outward heats.’
He also recommends the juice or distilled water for ulcerated kidneys, gravel and stone, and an ointment made with it for ‘painful piles’ and pains of the gout and sciatia. In addition,
‘it heals kibes or chilblains if they be bathed with the juice or anointed with ointment made hereof and some of the skin of the leaf upon them: it is used in green wounds to stay the blood and to heal them quickly.’

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider .

Resources:

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/k/kidney03.html

http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/usdisp/cotyledon.html

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Umbilicus+rupestris