Practical
Plants

Pimpinella saxifraga

Burnet Saxifrage

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

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

Young leaves and shoots - raw. They can be added in small quantities to mixed salads or used to impart a cool aromatic flavour to cooling drinks[12][4][8]. The leaves are said to have a parsley-like tang[12], whilst another report says that the flavour is like cucumber[4]. Seeds - used as a condiment[10][11][1]. They are coated with sugar and eaten as a confection[4]. An essential oil from the root is used as a flavouring in sweets etc[4]. It gives a bitter flavour to liqueurs[7].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Seed

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.

Burnet saxifrage has long been held in high regard as a medicinal herb, being used especially in the treatment of wounds and internally to ease digestion, soothe respiratory complaints and treat kidney and urinary diseases[8]. The leaves and the root are antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, resolvent and stomachic[9][12][2][6]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and dried for later use[9]. The root is harvested in the autumn and can also be dried for later use[12]. The root is anti-inflammatory, mildly astringent and expectorant[13]. The fresh root is very hot and acrid, but this pungency is greatly reduced when the root is dried[9]. When chewed, the fresh root is effective in treating toothaches and paralysis of the tongue[9]. The root is also used for soothing coughs or the effects of laryngitis and bronchitis[13]. The roots can be harvested in the spring or autumn and are dried for later use[13]. A lotion made from the root is used externally to help regenerate the skin of older people[12]. A distilled water made from the plant is used as an eye lotion[12].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Resolvent
Product or use
Skin
Product or use
Stomachic

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, but absent from much of the south and the Arctic, to W. Asia, W. Siberia.
Habitat
Fields and hedgerows in dry ground, especially on calcareous soils[12][3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

The seed requires a period of cold stratification. If you can obtain fresh seed then it is best sown immediately. Germination rates are usually very good so it is probably best done in situ if you have sufficient seed, but if you only have a small quantity then it is safer to sow it in pots in a cold frame. Sow stored seed as soon as you can obtain it, this is probably best done in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the pot-grown seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in most soils[5]. Prefers a dry alkaline soil in full sun or light shade[7].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  2. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

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

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

    ↩1↩2

  8. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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