Practical
Plants

Dipsacus japonicus

Xu Duan

a biennial or perennial member of the Dipsacus genus in the family Dipsacaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial, perennial
Height
1 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

Young leaves - cooked. A famine food, used when all else fails[3].

Plant part
Leaves

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 roots are antirheumatic, cancer, emmenagogue, galactofuge, haemostatic, hepatic and tonic. It is used as a kidney tonic[7][1][2][4]. A decoction of the root is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthralgia, traumatic injuries, backache and weak knees, seminal emissions, polyuria and also to secure abortions[2][5]. The seed is diuretic[5]. The plant is used in the treatment of rheumatism[5]. It also has a long history of folk use in the treatment of breast cancer[5].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Galactofuge
Product or use
Haemostatic
Product or use
Hepatic
Product or use
Kidney
Product or use
Tonic

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat
Wild places and roadsides in China[1]. Sunny places at elevations of 300 - 1500 metres in central and southern Japan[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - we have no details but suggest sowing it in a greenhouse in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

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 well-drained humus-rich soil in sun or semi-shade.

References

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  4. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩

  5. 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

  6. Flora of Japan www.foj.info

    ↩

  7. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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