Practical
Plants

Anemarrhena asphodeloides

Zhi Mu

a perennial evergreen member of the Anemarrhena genus in the family Asphodelaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.5 m
Spread
1 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

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 rhizome is anti-fungal, antiseptic, bitter, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, laxative, lenitive, sedative and tonic[3][5][9]. It has an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Bacillus dysenteriae, B. typhi, B. paratyphi, Proteus and Pseudomonas[3]. It is taken internally in the treatment of high fevers in infectious diseases, TB, chronic bronchitis, diabetes and urinary problems[3][5][9]. It should not be given to patients with diarrhoea and should be administered with caution since when taken in excess it can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure[5]. Externally, it is used as a mouthwash in the treatment of ulcers[5]. The rhizome is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[5].

Product or use
Antifungal
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Bitter
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Hypoglycaemic
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Lenitive
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

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

The root contains about 6% saponins[6]. Saponins make an excellent soap, having a gentle cleansing effect on the skin and clothes without removing the natural body oils from the skin[K]. To extract the saponins it is usually sufficient to cut the root into thin slices and then gently simmer in water[K].

Product or use
Soap

Environment

Range
E. Asia - N. China and Japan.
Habitat
Mountain woodlands[2][4]. Exposed slopes and hills[7]. Scrub, grassy slopes, steppes, sunny and sandy hillsides from near sea level to 1500 metres[8].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, it usually germinates in the spring[4]. Stored seed should be sown in late winter or early spring in a cold frame[1]. It sometimes germinates within 1 - 3 months at 15°c, but may take a year. The seed should be completely separated from the fruit and should only just be covered by soil[1][4]. If the seed has been sown thinly enough, then it is possible to leave the seedlings in the pot for their first growing season, dividing them after they become dormant. Make sure to give them liquid feeds at intervals through the spring and summer. Otherwise prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle. Plant out in late spring or early summer at the beginning of their second or third years growth. Division in spring as new growth is just commencing[4].

Cultivation

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

Requires a rich moist neutral to acid soil that is rich in organic matter, in a position in partial or dappled shade[4]. Plants are tolerant of strong winds[2]. Plants can be naturalized in wild or woodland gardens and other moist shaded situations that approximate to their natural wooded mountain habitats[4]. This species is not hardy in all parts of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to at least -5°c[5]. This plant is occasionally cultivated in China as a medicinal herb[[2]. The fragrant flowers open in the evening[5].

References

  1. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  5. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  6. 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. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  7. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩

  8. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  9. Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0

    ↩1↩2

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