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Eupatorium japonicum

Common name:	Pei Lan	Family:	Compositae
Author:	Thunb.	Botanical references:	58, 200, 275
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	E. Asia - S. China, Japan.
Habitat:	Moist grassland along river banks[275].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	1	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	3

Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Asterales. Renamed to Asteraceae -- Aster family

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 2m. It is hardy to zone 7. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 1/5 for edibility and 3/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. 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, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.

Edible Uses

Leaves; Root.

Young leaves - cooked. Boiled and well seasoned[177].
Root - cooked. It is sometimes eaten for food and is considered beneficial to the circulation[218].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Anodyne; Antibacterial; Antidandruff; Antiviral; Carminative; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Nervine; Vermifuge; Women's complaints.

The leaves and stems are anodyne, antibacterial, antiviral, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, nervine and vermifuge[176, 218]. They are taken internally in the treatment of indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, feverish colds etc[147, 176, 238]. In excess the plant causes irritation to the stomach[238]. The leaves and stems are harvested in the summer before the flower buds open, and are dried for later use[238]. The plant contains the essential oil thymol. In large doses this can cause various health problems such as headaches, tinnitus, vertigo, inhibition of respiration and the circulation[176]. Use with caution[176].
The seed is prescribed in China for the '36 diseases of women'[218].
The root is considered to be beneficial to the circulation and a restorative to women after parturition[218]. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238].
The herbage, soaked in oil, is applied to the hair as a treatment for dandruff[218].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Succeeds in ordinary well-drained but moisture retentive garden soil in sun or part shade[200].
A very polymorphic species[58], it is closely related to E. cannabinum[1].
This species is a member of natural moist grassland flora on river banks in the Kanto District of Japan. Due to urbanization of this area, the habitat is now restricted to a very small area, and the species is endangered[275].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.
Division in spring or autumn[111]. Very easy, the clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions.

Suppliers

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

Web References

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

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

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

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

[111] Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926
A fairly wide range of perennial plants that can be grown in Britain and how to grow them.

[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.

[176] Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985
A very good Chinese herbal.

[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.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[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.

[233] Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

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.