Stonecrop, Virginian

November 17th, 2009

Botanical Name: Penthorum sedoides (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Crassulaceae

Synonyms: Ditch Stonecrop. Penthorum.
Part Used: Herb.
Habitat: The Virginian Stonecrop is a native of America.(N. America – New Brunswick to Florida, west to Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas and Texas) Low wet ground. Ditches and swamps. (Pond; Bog Garden;)

Description: It is Perennial growing to 1m. The leaves are placed on alternate sides, on short stalks. They are oblong, 2 to 3 inches long and about a third as broad, smooth and thin, the apex pointed and the margins finely toothed. The flowers are small and greenish, on short flower-stalks, in rows along the upper sides of the branches of the terminal cyme: there are five very small petals and five sepals, and the ovary is five-cleft and five-celled, surrounded by ten stamens with filaments twice as long as the calyx. The genus Penthorum differs from the genus Sedum, in having no nectaries in its flowers.

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Cultivation details:-
Suitable for the waterside or shallow water. This species is included in the family Crassulaceae by some botanists and placed in its own family by others.

Propagation:-
Seed – we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame in pots that are standing in about 3cm of water as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on shallow water in the cold frame 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.

History and Chemical Composition:-.—Penthorum sedoides was mentioned by some of the older authorities, but its more recent introduction into medicine may be ascribed to Dr. F. H. Briggs (Ec. Med. Jour., 1875, p. 479). The fresh herb has an astringent, slightly acid taste, and, when bruised, an herb-like odor. The properties of the fresh plant are best extracted by alcohol, and seem chiefly to depend upon a form of tannin which, in alcoholic solution with ferrous sulphate, first turns blue and then precipitates black. With ferric sulphate, it forms a deep-green solution. Neither the tincture, nor the tincture freed from tannin, shows the slightest indication of an alkaloid with the ordinary reagents. When the herb is distilled with water, the distillate is free from volatile oil.

Edible Uses:-
Edible Parts: Leaves.

Leaves - cooked. Used as a potherb.

Medicinal Uses: Astringent; Demulcent; Laxative; Tonic.
A tincture of the plant is somewhat astringent, demulcent, laxative and tonic. The plant is noted for its effectiveness in treating catarrhal problems of many kinds and has also been used successfully in treating diarrhoea, haemorrhoids and infantile cholera. The seeds have been used in making cough syrups

This plant has of late attracted much notice, especially in America, as a remedy for catarrh, catarrhal inflammation of the larynx, chronic bronchitis, with increased secretion of mucus and catarrhal affections of the stomach and bowels. It has also been employed with success in the treatment of diarrhoea, haemorrhoids and infantile cholera.

It is demulcent, laxative and somewhat astringent in its action. A fluid extract is prepared from the whole herb and administered in doses of from 10 to 20 drops. It has a slightly astringent taste.

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.:—Dr. Briggs states that “the older authorities gave this agent as a demulcent and laxative, and it does not seem to exert the astringent action common to agents containing tannic acid. The impression upon the mouth is that of an astringent, but, on examining the mucous membrane, it does not seem corrugated, but very fresh and rosy, and it would undoubtedly prove a valuable tooth and mouth wash.” The fluid extract and specific medicine have been employed successfully in the treatment of cholera infantum, diarrhoea, and hemorrhoids. Prof. J. M. Scudder observes that mucous membranes, especially when they have suffered from inflammatory action, are peculiarly influenced by this agent, which gradually removes irritation, promotes normal functional activity, and restores the tissues to their normal condition. He found it not only an excellent remedy in diarrhoea, but likewise in chronic nasal catarrh, in chronic pharyngitis, in chronic bronchitis, with increased secretion, and in chronic vaginitis, with or without leucorrhoeal discharge. He employs it internally and locally, when this can be effected, in spray; also as a topical application to chronic ulcers. It is not, as a rule, as well adapted to acute as to chronic disorders, and must be used for a length of time to obtain its best effects. As a reliever of irritation of mucous surfaces, its best results have been obtained in chronic affections of the posterior nares, pharyngeal vaults, and Eustachian tubes. It may be used both internally and by atomization. It has been of benefit in indigestion and nervous dyspepsia. Its effects upon the gastric membranes have been compared to those of small doses of ipecac. The dose of the fluid extract is from 10 to 60 minims, repeated every 3 or 4 hours; of the specific penthorum, 1 to 30 minims, in a teaspoonful of water. Penthorum is a remedy of undoubted power, and deserves a more careful study than has been hitherto bestowed upon it. It is best adapted to chronic conditions, being of little service in acute phases.

Specific Indications and Uses.—Pharyngeal and nasal disorders of a chronic type, with fullness, dryness, and irritation, with a purplish, congested appearance; catarrhal inflammations, with profuse secretions; catarrhal gastric disorders; catarrhal diarrhoea; spongy gums.

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 .

Other Species:
Among other species of Sedum are the HAIRY STONECROP (Sedum villosum), frequent in Scotland and the North of England, a small species with viscid stems and leaves and pinkish-white flowers. The THICK-LEAVED STONECROP (S. dasyphyllum), also a small species, but very rare, distinguished from the preceding by its fleshy, almost globular leaves, viscid flower-stalks and blunt petals. Other British species belonging to this group are: TASTELESS YELLOW STONECROP (S. sexangulare), distinguished from S. acre by its leaves, which are six in a whorl, growing in Greenwich Park, the Isle of Sheppey and a few other places. ST. VINCENT S ROCK STONECROP (S. rupestre), a species allied to S. reflexum, with slightly flattened leaves, which grow five in a whorl, found on St. Vincent’s Rocks and other limestone cliffs, rare; and WELSH STONECROP (S. Fosterianum), another species allied to S. reflexum, with leaves flattened at the base and compact cymes of flowers – which grows on the rocks in Wales and Shropshire.

Resources:

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/stonec91.html

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Penthorum+sedoides

http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/kings/penthorum.html