Practical
Plants

Polemonium reptans

Abcess Root

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.35 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

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.

The dried roots have a slightly bitter and acrid taste[9]. They are alterative, astringent, diaphoretic, expectorant and pectoral[9][11][7][8]. They can be used in an infusion with water or as a tincture with alcohol[9]. They are used internally in the treatment of coughs, colds, bronchitis, laryngitis, tuberculosis, feverish and inflammatory diseases, including skin conditions and poisonous bites[8]. The root is rarely used in modern herbalism[8]. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[8].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Pectoral

Material uses

A decoction of the whole plant is used as a hair rinse[6].

Product or use
Hair care

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - New York to Minnesota, south to Kansas and Georgia.
Habitat
Rich woods, damp ground and along shady river banks[9][10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in early spring or early autumn[2]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation

Prefers a moist well-drained fertile soil in sun or semi-shade[5]. Plants are best grown in a soil approaching that of a moraine and they must not be allowed to dry out in the summer[1]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[4]. A number of named varieties have been selected for their ornamental value[4]. Plants have a creeping root and can multiply very quickly[9]. They can also self-sow to the point of nuisance[5]. The plants have a smell that attracts cats. The cats roll in the plants with evident pleasure and can cause considerable damage to young plants and ones that have recently been moved[238, K].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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

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  3. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

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

    ↩1↩2

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

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

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