Menu list goes here

Herbal Database Search Results

Back to: Pathways Main Search Page For Metaphysical uses visit The Witchs Haven

Leonurus japonicus

Common name:		Family:	Labiatae
Author:	Houtt.	Botanical references:	266
Synonyms:	Stachys artemisia (Lour.), Leonurus artemisia ((Lour.)S.Y.Hu.), Leonurus heterophyllus (Sweet.)
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	E. Asia - China.
Habitat:	Waste places, hillsides, roadsides and gardens[147]. Sunny areas to elevations of 3,400 metres all over China[266].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	0	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	3

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	L. artemisia[G] L. sibiricus[G] Stachys artemisia[G]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Me-Haziki [E],
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Lamiales. Renamed to Lamiaceae -- Mint family

Physical Characteristics

Annual/Biennial growing to 0.9m. . It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees. We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 3/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor 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

Cultivated Beds.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Alterative; Antibacterial; Antifungal; Aphrodisiac; Birthing aid; Contraceptive; Depurative; Diuretic; Emmenagogue; Hypotensive; Ophthalmic; Poultice; Vasodilator; Vulnerary; Women's complaints.

This plant (and other closely related species) is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[218].
The leaves are diuretic and are placed in bath water to relieve itching and painful shingles[218].
The dried flowers are emmenagogue and are also used in pregnancy and to help expel the placenta after giving birth[218].
The juice of the stems is vulnerary[218].
The fruit is antibacterial, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypotensive, ophthalmic and vasodilator[176, 218]. It is used in the treatment of abnormal menstruation, nebula and conjunctivitis[176].
The seed is aphrodisiac, diuretic, emmenagogue, ophthalmic and is also used in the treatment of various women's complaints[147, 218]. The plant was ranked number one in a survey of 250 potential antifertility plants in China[218]. The seed is used in the treatment of conjunctivitis and night blindness[147].
The aerial parts of the plant are alterative, antibacterial, antifungal, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypotensive, vasodilator and vulnerary[176, 218]. The whole plant is decocted, either on its own or with other herbs, as an ophthalmic[218]. It is used in the treatment of abnormal menstruation, postpartum abdominal pain, tumours, uterine bleeding, oedema, eczema and purulent abscess[176]. It is also used externally as a poultice for bruises[218].
Stimulates blood circulation[147]. (The part of the plant used is not made clear.)

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Succeeds in most soils[200]. Prefers a poor soil[108].
There is some doubt over the correct name for this species, a recent work suggested that it should be L. artemisia (Lour.)S.Y.Hu. - at least in as much as it refers to the medicinal plant in China[218].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

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.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic 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

[108] International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981
The title says it all.

[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.

[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.

[266] Flora of China 1994
On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

Readers Comments

Main Search Page

Bibliography

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
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963

This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Leonurus+japonicus
This page (US) http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Leonurus+japonicus

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
(You can copy, distribute, display this works but: Attribution is required, its for Non-Commercial purposes, and it's Share Alike (GNUish/copyleft) i.e. has an identical license.)
We also ask that you let us know (michael@thewitchshaven.com) if you link to, redistribute, make a derived work or do anything groovy with this information.

Home :: View Cart :: Shipping & Returns :: Contact Us :: Log In :: Privacy Policy :: Home :: Philosophy

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.