Lindera strychnifolia
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Lindera genus in the family Lauraceae.
Taxonomy and growth
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.
Aromatic, decongestant, stomachic[2]. The fruit is diuretic and vermicidal[1]. A decoction is used in the treatment of abdominal distension, menstrual pain, stomach chills, dysuria, oedema, fungal infections, scabies and worms[1][5][6]. The seed is febrifuge[5]. The root is anodyne, antiphlogistic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, stomachic and tonic[1][3][5]. It is used with ginseng (Panax spp.), liquorice (Glycyrrhiza spp) and lignaloes (the report does not say what this is) to form a famous Chinese sedative[5]. The root s used in the treatment of menstrual pain, enuresis, frequent micturation and distension with pain of the lower abdomen[3].
- Product or use
- Anodyne
- Product or use
- Antiphlogistic
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Aromatic
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Carminative
- Product or use
- Decongestant
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Sedative
- Product or use
- Stomachic
- Product or use
- Tonic
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China.
- Habitat
- Shrub thickets along mountainsides[1].
- Shade tolerance
- partial shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- very acid, acid, neutral
- 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 the autumn in a greenhouse. The seed has a short viability and should not be allowed to dry out[4]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July in a frame[4]. Layering.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a lime-free rather moist soil[4]. Prefers partial shade or dappled sunlight in a fertile moisture-retentive soil enriched with leafmould[4]. Planted in gardens in the warmer areas of Japan, plants are hardy outdoors in Tokyo if they are protected from cold winds[7]. Plants can be pruned right back to the base if required, though any drastic pruning is best spread over several seasons[4]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
References
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00