Polygonum hydropiper
Smartweed
an annual member of the Polygonum genus in the family Polygonaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Polygonaceae
- Genus
- Polygonum
- Life cycle
- annual
- Height
- 0.75 m
- Fertility
- Self fertile, Self
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Self
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.
Although no specific mention has been made for this species, there have been reports that some members of this genus can cause photosensitivity in susceptible people. Many species also contain oxalic acid (the distinctive lemony flavour of sorrel) - whilst not toxic this substance can bind up other minerals making them unavailable to the body and leading to mineral deficiency. Having said that, a number of common foods such as sorrel and rhubarb contain oxalic acid and the leaves of most members of this genus are nutritious and beneficial to eat in moderate quantities. Cooking the leaves will reduce their content of oxalic acid. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[13].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Leaves and stems - raw or cooked. They can also be made into an acid peppery condiment[8]. They are very hot[3]. The leaves contain about 7.5% protein, 1.9% fat, 8% carbohydrate, 2% ash[7]. The leaves are said to contain rutin[10]. Seed - raw or cooked. It is rather small and fiddly to utilize. The seed is used as a condiment - a pepper substitute[1]. The sprouted seeds or young seedlings can be used as a garnish or added to salads, they are commonly sold in Japanese markets[8]. They are very hot[3][7].
- Product or use
- Condiment
- Product or use
- Rutin
- 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.
Smartweed has a long history of herbal use, both in Eastern and Western herbalism. It is not used very often, and is seen more as a domestic remedy being valued especially for its astringent properties which makes it useful in treating bleeding, skin problems, diarrhoea etc. The leaves are anti-inflammatory, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, stimulant, stomachic, styptic[16][18][9][4][5]. They contain rutin, which helps strengthen fragile capillaries and thus helps prevent bleeding[11]. Use with caution[9]. The seed is carminative, diuretic and stimulant[10]. The whole plant, either on its own or mixed with other herbs, is decocted and used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments including diarrhoea, dyspepsia, itching skin, excessive menstrual bleeding and haemorrhoids[10][14]. A poultice of the plant is used in treating swollen and inflamed areas[15]. In Chinese tests, the plant was ranked 20th in a survey of 250 potential antifertility drugs[10]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves[18]. It is used in the treatment of piles, menstrual pains and other menstrual complaints[18].
- Product or use
- Antiinflammatory
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Carminative
- Product or use
- Contraceptive
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Homeopathy
- Product or use
- Stimulant
- Product or use
- Stomachic
- Product or use
- Styptic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A yellow-gold dye is obtained from the stalks[2].
- Product or use
- Dye
Environment
- Range
- Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to N. Africa and temperate Asia.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- aquatic
- 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 - sow spring in a pot standing in water or in situ. Germination is usually free and easy. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have reached sufficient size. If not, overwinter them in a cold frame and plant them out the following spring after the last expected frosts.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A water plant, growing in shallow water or wet soils. Succeeds in most soils if they are wet and dislikes shade. Smartweed is cultivated for its edible leaves in Japan[3], the variety 'Fastigiatum' (syn P. maximowiczii) is the form normally used[17][3]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[12].
References
Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218
Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-090-x
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1986-00-00
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T. Australian Medicinal Plants.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2