Practical
Plants

Eupatorium purpureum

Gravel Root

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
2 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

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

The roots have been burnt and their ashes used as salt to flavour foods[11].

Product or use
Salt

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.

Gravel root was used by the native N. American Indians as a diaphoretic to induce perspiration and break a fever. The plant was quickly adopted by the white settlers and still finds a use in modern herbalism[12]. The whole plant, but especially the root, is astringent, diuretic, nervine and tonic[13][5][2]. It works particularly on the genito-urinary system and the uterus[9]. Especially valuable as a diuretic and stimulant, as well as an astringent tonic[13], a tea made from the roots and leaves has been used to eliminate stones from the urinary tract, to treat urinary incontinence in children, cystitis, urethritis, impotence etc[7][10][12]. It is also said to be helpful in treating rheumatism and gout by increasing the removal of waste from the kidneys[10][11]. The leaves and flowering stems are harvested in the summer before the buds open and are dried for later use. The roots are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[9].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Nervine
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

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

The stems have been used as straws[11]. The fruits yield a pink or red textile dye[12].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Straw

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - New Hampshire to Minnesota, south to Florida and Oklahoma[3]..
Habitat
Swampy and rich low ground and in woods, especially on calcareous soils[13][5][14].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
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 in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in spring or autumn[1]. Very easy, the clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil that is well-drained but moisture retentive in sun or part shade[4]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[8]. A very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c[3]. The bruised leaves have a vanilla-like odour[6]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[8]. Butterflies are attracted to this plant[3].

References

  1. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

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

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  3. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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  5. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  6. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-85613-067-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

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