Scrophularia ningpoensis
a perennial member of the Scrophularia genus in the family Scrophulariaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Scrophulariaceae
- Genus
- Scrophularia
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 1 m
- Spread
- 0.4 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
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.
This species has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for over 2,000 years[5]. The root is antibacterial, antifungal, antipyretic, antiphlogistic, cardiac, diuretic, febrifuge, haemolytic, hypoglycaemic, restorative, sialogogue, tonic and vasodilator[1][2][4]. Small doses act as a heart tonic, whilst large doses depress cardiac function[2][5]. The root is used internally in the treatment of feverish illnesses with symptoms such as rashes, delirium and insomnia, dry cough, throat infections, abscesses and carbuncles[5]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[5].
- Product or use
- Antibacterial
- Product or use
- Antifungal
- Product or use
- Antiphlogistic
- Product or use
- Antipyretic
- Product or use
- Cardiac
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Haemolytic
- Product or use
- Hypoglycaemic
- Product or use
- Restorative
- Product or use
- Sialagogue
- Product or use
- Tonic
- Product or use
- Vasodilator
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China.
- Habitat
- Gullies, thickets and wet waste places along the edges of rivers and streams[1]. Bamboo forests, along streams, thickets, tall grasses; below 1500 metres[6].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- 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 or autumn in a cold frame[5]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in most moist to wet soils in full sun or partial shade[3][5]. This species is hardy to at least -15°c[5].
References
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
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
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/