Tag: Corydalis

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Bulbous corydalis

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Botanical  Name : Bulbous corydalis
Family : Fumariaceae,
Genus : Corydalis
Species : Curviflora var. rosthomii

Common Names : Corydalis cava,Bird in the Bush

Habitat : Bulbous corydalis is found throughout Europe and neighbouring Asia growing in open woods and hedgerows.

Description:
Bulbous corydalis is a highly poisonous  herbaceous perennial plant with a large, hollow, globose underground tuber with wiry roots. The stem is erect and bears two biternate lobed leaves, bluish-green below and light green above. The flowers are irregularly shaped, violet or white in colour, and arranged in a solitary terminal raceme. The upper petal is drawn out into a long apically curved spur.

 click to see the pictures….

Flowers are densely clustered up the stem reaching around 15 cms or occasionally up to 20 cms high. These are tubular and tend to have a small amount of white in them, the main colour is strong purple/violet. Foliage is the usual ferny and soft green being very deeply dissected.

Plant Width :  10 in – 12 in
Bloom Season : Mid Spring – Late Spring
Foliage Color : Blue, Gray
Zone : 6 – 9

Additional Characteristics: Bloom First Year, Butterfly Lovers, Easy Care Plants, Fragrance, Free Bloomer, Repeat Bloomer, Season Extenders

Preferred Conditions to grow well: Moist, well drained soil

Medicinal Uses:
Bulbous Carydalis has been used as a vermifuge in the past. The tubers are used medicinally.  When dried they have a strong aroma and bitter taste. They contain alkaloids, the most important being corydaline and bulbocapnine.  Bulbocpnine has antispasmodic, sedative and hallucinogenic properties. It lowers the blood pressure and inhibits the contractions of striated muscles.  In some countries it is used in preparations to treat Parkinson’s disease and other serious neurological disorders, vertigo and muscular tremors. Bulbocapnine is also beneficial before and after treatment with anesthetics.  The root has traditionally been used to lower pain and strengthen the circulation.

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.probertencyclopaedia.com/cgi-bin/res.pl?keyword=Bulbous+Corydalis&offset=0
http://www.waysidegardens.com/product.aspx?p=49199
http://www.edrom-nurseries.co.uk/shop/pc/Corydalis-solida-Purple-Beauty-p9312.htm
http://www.kuleuven-kulak.be/bioweb/?lang=en&detail=439
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_AB.htm

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Bleeding Heart

 

Botanical Name : Dicentra formosa
Family: Fumariaceae
Genus: Dicentra
Species: D. formosa
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ranunculales

Common Name :Bleeding Heart or Pacific bleeding-heart

Habitat :Bleeding Heart is native to moist woodland from California to British Columbia.

Description:
Bleeding Heart is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a rhizome.Leaves are finely divided and fernlike, growing from the base of the plant.

CLICK  &  SEE  THE  PICTURES

Flowers are pink, red, or white and heart-shaped and bloom in clusters at the top of leafless, fleshy stems above the leaves from mid-spring to autumn, with peak flowering in spring. The four petals are attached at the base. The two outer petals form a pouch at the base and curve outwards at the tips. The two inner petals are perpendicular to the outer petals and connected at the tip. There are two tiny, pointed sepals behind the petals.

Seeds are borne in plump, pointed pods…...CLICK  &  SEE

The plant frequently goes dormant for the summer after flowering, emerging and flowering again in autumn.

Similar species:  This species is frequently confused with and sold as Dicentra eximia, which has narrower flowers and longer, more curved outer petal tips.

Subspecies : There are two subspecies:

*Dicentra formosa subsp. formosa — leaves glaucous beneath and never glaucous above, flowers purple pink to pink or white
western slope of Sierra Nevada, Coast Ranges to central California, Cascades, extreme southwestern British Columbia

*Dicentra formosa subsp. oregona (often spelled oregana) — leaves glaucous above and beneath, flowers cream or pale yellow
small area of northwestern California and southwestern Oregon

Medicinal Uses:
The early Eclectics seemed to have used Corydalis primarily as an alterative-tonic remedy, with reference to dermatological conditions.  An alterative of great value where indicated. Increases the vitality and influences metabolism. Especially indicated in all glandular derangement with general depraved condition of the system, where the nutritive forces are impaired. It increases waste and improves nutrition. More especially indicated in above conditions where there is an enlarged abdomen, the result of atony, or where there is a persistently coated tongue and fetid breath. In diarrhea and dysentery where tongue is coated, breath fetid and digestion poor, it is a good remedy. In amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea and leucorrhea where there is a relaxed condition of the uterine supports it is a valuable adjunct to other indicated remedies. In eczema and other skin diseases with relaxed conditions it is curative. It is an antisyphilitic and can be used in all stages of syphilis, strumous conditions, nodular swelling, enlarged glands, with good results.  Dicentra is used primarily for its analgesic and anodyne properties in western herbalism today. In Asian medicine however, it is also used as a cardiac remedy for arrythmias and hypertension as well as a hypnotic for insomnia.

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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dicentra_formosa
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_AB.htm
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=DIFO&photoID=difo_005_ahp.tif
http://www.rosebay.org/chapterweb/shadegt52.htm

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Achyranthes bidentata

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Botanical Name :Achyranthes bidentata Blume
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Achyranthes
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Caryophyllales

Chinese name : Bidentata,Niu Xi
English name : Twotooth Achyranthes Root Twotooth Achyranthes Root,Ox Knee
Latin name: Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae
Alias  : Achyranthes bidentata, the festival grass

Common Name :Apamarga, Umblokando, Bankhat

Habitat:Native to Asian countries.
Achyranthes bidentata Blume  is a species of Achyranthes that grows in India, Nepal, China, and Japan.  It grows in loose fertile soil, more than those born in the wild mountain road.  Medicine is mainly produced in Henan.

Description:
Two-toothed Chaff Flower is an erect, perennial herb, 0.7-1.2 m tall, distributed in hilly districts of India, Java, China and Japan. Stem green or tinged purple, with opposite branches. Leaf stalk 0.5-3 cm, hairy; leaf blade elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, rarely oblanceolate, 4.5-12 × 2-7.5 cm. Flower spikes terminal or axillary, 3-5 cm; rachis 1-2 cm, white hairy. Flowers dense, 5 mm. Tepals shiny, lanceolate, 3-5 mm, with a midvein, apex acute. Stamens 2-2.5 mm; pseudostaminodes slightly serrulate, apex rounded. Utricles yellowish brown, shiny, oblong, 2-2.5 mm, smooth. Seeds light brown, oblong, 1 mm. Seed are cooked and eaten. A good substitute for cereal grains in bread-making, they have often been used for this purpose during famine. Flowering: July-September. Leaves are used as a vegetable in the same manner as spinach.

You may click to see the pic tures of Achyranthes bidentata

Collect and process  : Leaf blight in winter when the excavation, removal of fine roots and sediment, and bind them into a small, wrinkled sun to dry, will be trimming the top and dried.

Root slender cylindrical, slightly curved, long 15 ~ 50cm, up to 90cm, diameter of 0.4 ~ 1cm. Surface greyish yellow or light brown, with fine longitudinal wrinkles, long horizontal lenticels, and sparse fine root marks.  Hard and brittle, moisture is soft. 2?4?? Section flat, yellow brown, micro skin was like, yellow-white center Kibe vascular, peripheral vascular bundles are arranged in a little bit like 2 ~ 4.  Gas micro, taste slightly sweet, bitter, astringent.


Medicinal Uses:
The plant has been mentioned in manuscripts of Ayurveda and Chinese medicines. In Ayurveda, two varieties, red and white are mentioned. In Sanskrit, synonyms describe this as a rough flowered stalk. It is described in ‘Nighantas’ as purgative, pungent, digestive, a remedy for inflammation of the internal organs, piles, itch, abdominal enlargements and enlarged cervical glands. Hindus used ashes for preparing caustic alkaline preparations. The herb is diuretic and relieve edema; promote blood circulation to remove blood clots and bruising; treat menstrual disorders; ease joints and strengthen bones and muscles; relieve pain in knees and lower back.

It is a superior herb highly recommended for bladder and urinary tract problems and menstrual disorders.

Liver and kidney, strengthening the bones, pass through stasis, blood lead down. For the waist and knee pain, aching, weakness, amenorrhea Zheng Jia, liver yang vertigo.

*Liver and kidney deficiency, waist and knee pain: with Eucommia, Cistanche.
* Amenorrhea Zhengjia: with angelica, red peony root, peach kernel, Corydalis and so on.
* Lower extremity arthritis, joint pain: with papaya, Coix Seed, Campsis, Clematis.

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

Resources:
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zyyzl.com%2Fdrugview.asp%3Fid%3D1864

http://www.asianflora.com/Amaranthaceae/Achyranthes-bidentata.htm

http://vaniindia.org.whbus12.onlyfordemo.com/herbal/plantdir.asp

http://www.dreddyclinic.com/ayurvedic/herbs/aa/apamarga.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achyranthes_bidentata

http://www.foodsnherbs.com/new_page_2.htm

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Yan Hu Suo( Corydalis ambigua)

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Botanical Name: Corydalis ambigua, Corydalis yanhusuo
Family: Papaveraceae
Genus: Corydalis
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ranunculales
Species: C. ambigua

Synonyms: C. ‘Ambigua’.

Common name: Yan Hu Suo

Parts Used: Rhizome

Habitat : Native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere and the high mountains of tropical eastern Africa.Woods and meadows from the lowland to the mountains of N. Japan.

Description:
Perennial herbaceous flowering plant growing to 0.2 m (0ft 6in) by 0.1 m (0ft 3in).
It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf 6-Mar, and the seeds ripen from May to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.The plant is self-fertile.

CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils..It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland).It requires moist soil.

Corydalis (Greek korydalís “crested lark”) is a genus of about 470 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants in the fumewort family (sometimes included in the poppy family). They are most diverse in China and the Himalayas, with at least 357 species in China.

Cultivation :
Prefers a moist, well-drained rather light soil, thriving in semi-shade. Grows well in a woodland garden or peat bed. This species is very closely related to and probably part of C. fumariifolia. It is probably not really worthy of specific status and is best treated as a cultivar, C. ‘Ambigua’. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits.

Propagation:
Seed – best sown as soon as it is ripe, the seed rapidly loses viability if it is allowed to become dry. Surface sow and keep moist, it usually germinates in 1 – 3 months at 15°c. Germinates in spring according to another report. Two months warm, then a cold stratification improves the germination of stored seed. Sow the seed thinly so that the seedlings can be allowed to grow undisturbed in the pot for their first year. Apply liquid feed at intervals during their growing season to ensure they are well fed. The seedlings only produce one leaf in their first year of growth and are very prone to damping off. Divide the seedlings into individual pots once they have become dormant and grow them on in a partially shaded area of a greenhouse for at least another year. Plant them out into their permanent positions when they are dormant. Division in spring after flowering. Once the plants are dying down, dig up the clump and divide the tubers, planting them out straight into their permanent positions if required.

Corydalis species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species (butterflies), especially of the genus Mnemosyne.

Contains:
Alkaloids, including:
*dl-tetrahydropalmatine (THP)
*Papaveraceae type alkaloids
*Protopine

Medicinal Uses:
Alterative, antiperiodic, astringent, deobstruent, diuretic, emmenagogue, sedative, tonic. The root is analgesic, antispasmodic and sedative. The tuber has a history of over a thousand years use in mitigating pain. This species was ranked 10th in a test of 250 potential antifertility drugs

This is a tuberous early flowering E Asian species. A remotely related species C. yanhusuo is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. In Chinese it is called yán hú suo.

Action:

*analgesic [a drug which relieves or diminishes pain without causing loss of consciousness]
*anti-arrhythmic [eases symptoms of arrhythmia]
*bitter [applied to bitter tasting drugs which act on the mucous membranes of the mouth and stomach to
*increase appetite and promote digestion]
*blood stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues giving more energy]
*cardio-protector [protects the heart]
*hypnotic [an agent that promotes or produces sleep without disturbing alertness and receptiveness to others]
*sedative [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]

Corydalis ambigua is used for:

Blood Conditions
*blood stasis (stoppage of flow)

Brain and Nervous System Conditions
*insomnia
*neuralgia

Cardiovascular Conditions
*acute myocardial infarction
*angina pectoris
*cardiac arrhythmia
*hypertension
*myocardial ischemia

Female Conditions
*dysmenhorrhea (painful menstruation)

Other
*headaches
*organ pain
*pain of injury
*visceral pain

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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corydalis_ambigua
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corydalis
http://www.globalherbalsupplies.com/herb_information/corydalis_ambigua.htm
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Corydalis+ambigua

http://asiaherbs.org/

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Duchman’s Breeches

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Botanical Name:Dicentra cucullaria
Family : Fumariaceae
Other Name: Dicentra cucullaria
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ranunculales
Genus: Dicentra
Species: D. cucullaria

Syninyms:Bicuculla cucullaria[B,P] Corydalis cuccularia[H] D. cuccularia[H] D. cucullaria var. occidentalis[B,P] D. occidentalis[B,P] Fumaria cucullaria[G]

Common Names: Dicentra cucullaria , Dutchman’s breeches (derives from their white flowers that look like white breeches.)

Habitat :Woodland, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge, Deep Shade. Native to North America.It occurs mainly in the eastern half of the continent, from Nova Scotia and southern Quebec west to eastern North Dakota, and south to northern Georgia and eastern Oklahoma; there is also a disjunct population in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. It typically grows in rich woods. The common name Dutchman’s breeches derives from their white flowers that look like white breeches.

Description: It is a perennial herbaceous plant, reaching a height of 15-40 cm. The leaves are 10-36 cm long and 4-18 cm broad, with a petiole up to 15 cm long; they are trifoliate, with finely divided leaflets. The flowers appear during spring; they are white, 1-2 cm long, and are born on flower stalks 12-25 cm long. Both the leaf stalks and the flower stalks rise from an underground, scaly bulb.

CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES

Dutchman’s breeches is one of many plants whose seeds are spread by ants, a process called myrmecochory. The seeds have a fleshy organ called an elaiosome that attracts ants. The ants take the seeds to their nest, where they eat the elaiosomes, and put the seeds in their nest debris, where they are protected until they germinate. They also get the added bonus of growing in a medium made richer by the ant nest debris.

This delicate spring flower is well know to those who visit the southern mountains in the early spring. It is sometimes found in abundance on a northern slope or shaded blank that has remained undisturbed for a very long time. It is very rare in the south except for the mountains and in bloom for a very short time.
Lore: Among some northern tribes it may have been used as a love charm or for seduction. Imagine a young man chewing the root and circling the intended female breathing out the fragrance in the belief that once she smells it she will follow him even against her will.(Erichsen-Brown)Flowering time: April to May

Medical Uses: Alterative; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Poultice; Tonic; VD.

Alterative, tonic.

The dried tubers were used as a tonic and were recommended in the treatment of VD.

A tea made from the roots is diaphoretic and diuretic.

A poultice made from the leaves has been used in the treatment of skin ailments and as a muscle rub to make them more limber.

The plant contains an alkaloid that depresses the central nervous system – it is used in the treatment of paralysis and tremors.

Native Americans and early white practitioners considered this plant useful for several conditions including syphilis, skin conditions and as a blood purifier. There are several alkaloids that may have effects on the brain and heart. Warning: May be toxic and may cause contact dermatitis in some people.

Native Americans and early white practitioners considered this plant useful for syphilis, skin conditions and as a blood purifier. Dutchman’s breeches contains several alkaloids that may have effects on the brain and heart.

However, D. cucullaria may be toxic and may cause contact dermatitis in some people.The plant is potentially poisonous and can also cause skin rashes.

Similar Species: Squirrel Corn (Dicentra canadensis) has more rounded flowers. Turkey Corn or Wild Bleeding heart (Dicentra eximia) has pink rounded flowers.

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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dicentra_cucullaria
http://2bnthewild.com/plants/H289.htm
http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Dicentra+cucullaria

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