Practical
Plants

Ajuga decumbens

a perennial evergreen member of the Ajuga genus in the family Labiatae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Ajuga
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.1 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The whole plant is analgesic, decoagulant, depurative, febrifuge and haemostatic. It promotes tissue regeneration[2][4]. A decoction of the leaves, or the leaf juice, is used internally in the treatment of bladder ailments, diarrhoea, eye troubles etc whilst externally it is applied to burns, cuts etc[2][4]. A decoction of the stem is bathed onto neuralgic and rheumatic parts[4]. A hot decoction of the seed is used in the treatment of stomach ache and diarrhoea[4].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Anticoagulant
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Haemostatic
Product or use
Miscellany

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat
Thin woods and hedges in hills and low mountains, C. and S. Japan[6]. Sunny meadows on hill sides from the lowlands to elevations of 1000 metres[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring or autumn in the open border[1]. Division in spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a humus-rich, moisture retentive soil and a sunny position[3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  4. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Flora of Japan www.foj.info

    ↩

  6. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

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