Practical
Plants

Artemisia campestris

Field Southernwood

a perennial member of the Artemisia genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.5 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

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

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, skin contact with some members of this genus can cause dermatitis or other allergic reactions in some people[5].

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.

Related to the southernwood, A. abrotanum, this species has similar though milder medicinal properties[9]. The herb is anthelmintic, antiseptic, cholagogue, deobstruent, emmenagogue, stomachic and tonic[9][10][2]. The main use of this herb is as an emmenagogue, it is also a good stimulant tonic and has some nervine principle[9]. The leaves have been chewed in order to treat stomach problems[8]. The plant was used by some native North American Indian tribes as an abortifacient to terminate difficult pregnancies[8]. Externally, the plant has been crushed and applied to rheumatic joints, eczema, bruises and sores[8]. A poultice of the crushed leaves has been applied to sore eyes[8]. An infusion of the roots has been used, especially on children, as a hair tonic and to treat scalp infections[8]. It has been taken internally to promote urination and bowel movements[8].

Product or use
Abortifacient
Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Deobstruent
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

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

The pulverized roots are aromatic and have been used as a perfume[8].

Product or use
Essential

Environment

Range
Temperate regions throughout the northern hemisphere, including Britain.
Habitat
A very local plant in Britain, confined to the breckland heaths of eastern Britain[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn.

Cultivation

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

Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position[1][4]. Established plants are drought tolerant[4]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[7]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[6].

References

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

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  2. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

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  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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

    ↩1↩2

  5. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

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  6. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

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  7. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  8. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  9. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩

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