Practical
Plants

Peucedanum ostruthium

Masterwort

a perennial member of the Peucedanum genus in the family Umbelliferae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.2 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

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.

Skin contact with the sap of this plant is said to cause photo-sensitivity and/or dermatitis in some people[13][8]. It is also said to contain the alleged 'psychotroph' myristicine[8].

Edible uses

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

Leaves - cooked[5][1][3]. Used as a potherb or as a flavouring[12][4]. The aromatic roots can be used as a flavouring[4]. They are said to taste hotter than pepper[10]. A particularly popular drink is made from the fermented roots[14].

Product or use
Condiment
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.

Masterwort is little used in modern herbalism, but it may well be a herb that bears further investigation[9]. It was held in high regard in the Middle Ages where it was especially valued for its ability to resolve all flatulence in the body and stimulate the flow of urine and menstruation[9]. It was also used in treating rheumatic conditions, shortness of breath, kidney and bladder stones, water retention and wounds[9]. The root is antispasmodic, aromatic, bitter, strongly carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, stimulant and stomachic[10][14][15][7][9]. It is of use in the treatment of asthma, dyspepsia and menstrual complaints[10], an infusion helps to relieve migraine[14]. The root is gathered in the spring or autumn and dried for later use[14][15]. An essential oil from the plant has a euphoric and odontalgic effect[14]. Used externally, it relieves skin irritation[14]. When used externally, the plant or the extracted essential oil can cause an allergic reaction to sunlight[9]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the roots[15]. No details of its applications are given[K].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Aromatic
Product or use
Bitter
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Digestive
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Skin
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Stomachic

Environment

Range
S. Europe. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat
Woodland, damp fields, river banks and mountain meadows[2][11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
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 information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible otherwise in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation

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

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any moisture-retentive soil in a sunny position[6]. Dislikes shade. This report contradicts the report that this plant grows wild in woodlands. Masterwort was at one time cultivated as a pot herb and for medicinal purposes, though it has now fallen into virtual disuse[10][6]. Suitable for group plantings in the wild garden[6].

References

  1. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

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

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

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  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  5. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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  8. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  11. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

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

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  13. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  15. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

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