Uses
Toxic parts
The leaves contain saponins
[1]. Although toxic, saponins are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm, they are also destroyed by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].
Edible uses
Notes
Leaves and young shoots - cooked. They contain saponins so should not be eaten in large quantities. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails
[1].
Material uses
There are no material uses listed for Sanicula europaea.
Wood sanicle used to be widely used as a herbal remedy and has a long-standing reputation for healing wounds and treating internal bleeding. The herb is traditionally thought to be detoxifying and has also been taken internally to treat skin problems
[2]. A potentially valuable plant, but it is little used in modern herbalism
[3][2].
The leaves and the root are alterative, astringent, carminative, expectorant and vulnerary
[4][3][5][6][7][8]. The leaves are harvested in early summer and the roots in mid to late summer, they can be dried for later use
[4][3]. The herb is highly esteemed in the treatment of blood disorders, where it is usually given in combination with other herbs
[4]. It is also taken internally in the treatment of bleeding in the stomach and intestines, the coughing up of blood, nosebleeds, chest and lung complaints, dysentery, diarrhoea etc
[4][2]. It can also be used as a mouth gargle for sore throats
[4]. Externally, it is applied to rashes, chilblains, inflammations etc
[4][3] and an ointment made from the plant is applied to haemorrhoids
[3].
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Soil surface
Ecological Functions
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Stratification improves the germination rate. If possible sow the seed in the autumn, sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. It is best to sow the seed in situ in a woodland soil under trees
If seed is in short supply it is probably wise to sow it in pots of woodland soil in a shady place in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a shady position 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 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.
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Sanicula europaea. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Succeeds in any moist moderately fertile well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade
[4][9]. Strongly dislikes poor thin soils
[10]. Prefers a loamy or calcareous soil
[5][11].
The seeds are covered with little prickles, enabling them to become attached to anything that brushes against them and thus distributing the seed
[4].
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Sanicula europaea. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Sanicula europaea.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Sanicula europaea
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Uses
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
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"image:Illustration Sanicula europaea0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Illustration Sanicula europaea0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Illustration Sanicula europaea0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Illustration Sanicula europaea0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Illustration Sanicula europaea0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Illustration Sanicula europaea0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Illustration Sanicula europaea0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Sanicula europaea0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Sanicula europaea0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Sanicula europaea0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Illustration Sanicula europaea0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Sanicula europaea0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Sanicula europaea0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Illustration Sanicula europaea0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Illustration Sanicula europaea0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
References
-
? 1.01.11.2 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
-
? 2.02.12.22.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
-
? 3.03.13.23.33.43.5 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
-
? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.74.8 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
-
? 5.05.15.2 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
-
? 6.06.1 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
-
? 7.07.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
-
? 8.08.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
-
? 9.09.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
-
? Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland. ()
-
? 11.011.1 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
"image:Illustration Sanicula europaea0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.