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Carpesium abrotanoides

Common name:		Family:	Compositae
Author:	L.	Botanical references:	58, 275
Synonyms:	Carpesium thunbergianum (Siebold.&Zucc.)
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	S. Europe to E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Himalayas.
Habitat:	Woods all over Japan[58]. Waste places and grassy fields in lowlands, also along forest edges[275].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	2	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	2

Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Chan Chu Lan [E], Chi Lu [E], Shih Shou [E], T'Ien Man Ch'Ing [E], Ti Sung [E], Yabu-Tabako [E],
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	abrotanoides = like Artemisia abrotanum;
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Asterales. Renamed to Asteraceae -- Aster family
Other Range Info:	From the Ethnobotany Database
	China

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 1m. . It is in flower from September to November, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 2/5 for edibility and 2/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.

Edible Uses

Leaves.

Leaves - cooked[177]. A sweet flavour, though they smell of foxes[179].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Alterative; Antiphlogistic; Antiscorbutic; Astringent; Depurative; Diuretic; Emetic; Expectorant; Febrifuge; Laxative; Pectoral; Stings; Vermifuge; Vulnerary.

The whole plant is alterative, antiscorbutic, astringent, depurative discutient, emetic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative and vulnerary[147, 178, 218]. A decoction is used in the treatment of bronchitis, tonsillitis, boils and ulcers and snakebites[147].
The stem juice is used to treat insect bites[218]. This juice is also a very effective remedy for sore throat[218].
A decoction of the fruit is vermifuge[218].
The seed is antiphlogistic, diuretic, laxative, pectoral and vermifuge[218, 240]. The seeds are used to expel round worms, tapeworms and pin worms[147]. A 20% concentrate of seed decoction cured 69% of children with worms and effected an improvement in another 19%[218].
The root is diuretic and vermifuge[240].

Other Uses

Insecticide.

The seed has insecticidal properties[178]. Another report says that the plant might have insecticidal properties[218].

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. See the plants native habitat for ideas on its cultivation needs.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the compost to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring.

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[58] Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965
The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.

[147] ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
A very readable herbal from China, combining some modern methods with traditional chinese methods.

[177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[178] Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.

[179] Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977
A translation of an ancient Chinese book on edible wild foods. Fascinating.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.