FLEABANE, LITTLE-USED PLANT TODAY: HISTORY OF USES OF FLEABANE

FLEABANE, PULICARIA DYSENTERICA  

This common fleabane is native to Europe and western Asia. It is a member of the daisy family or Asteraceae or Compositae family of plants, so if you are allergic to these, keep away from fleabane. As a member of this family it is related to pellitory or Roman chamomile, marigolds, purple goat’s beard (salsify), yellow goat’s beard, elecampane, the ox-eye daisy, holy thistles, costmary, tansy, feverfew, groundsel and yarrow, to name but a few of its relatives.

  A botanical synonym for it is Inula dysenterica Linn., while it is also known in English as fleabane mullet. It can grow to heights of around two feet and it looks like a golden daisy. Pulix, the root of the name of the genus, is Latin for flea.

  The leaves and roots of fleabane were used for dysentery, as the Latin name suggests as they have astringent properties. A paste made from the leaves has also been used for wounds and cuts, applied externally to heal them. The bruised leaves have a slightly soapy smell, and they were used in mediaeval times to repel fleas and other insects. The leaves were burned to rid a house of pests, hence the common name fleabane.

This is what the English herbalist Nicholas Culpeper, writing in the 17^th century has to say about it:-

“Names: It is called also in English, mullet and in Latin conyza.

 Government and virtues. It is hot and dry in the third degree. The herb being spread under foot and smoked in any place, will drive away venomous creatures- and will kill and destroy fleas and gnats. An ointment of the roots and leaves is used with success for the itch.”

  He does not mention its use in dysentery as this was a continental remedy and the plant was not much used for medicine in Britain. There were other plants that were deemed efficacious for this.

  Modern clinical trials have shown that extracts of the plant have antimicrobial and antibacterial properties against some bacteria. It is thought that the insect repelling properties of the plant are due to its thymol content, as this has proved to have the ability to kill houseflies. Interestingly it has also been discovered that plants from different countries have different bioflavonoids in them, some have kaempferol while others contain more quercetin and so on.

  There is another plant which Culpeper calls flea-wort which was used in medicine in Britain, but this is not that plant, and they have different characteristics.

EUROPEAN LABURNUM: PRETTY BUT POISONOUS: HISTORY OS USES OF LABURNUM

LABURNUM, LABURNUM ANAGYROIDES

The laburnum tree is cultivated widely in Europe, particularly in Britain, because of its yellow flowers which hang in clusters but which later give way to poisonous seeds. I once lived close to one of these trees and can say that nothing could grow under it. It is a member of the Leguminoseae or Fabaceae family and so is related to the Indian laburnum or amaltas, carob, peas, beans such as the green bean, borlotti bean, soya beans, chickpeas and choliya, the tree from which we get gum Tragacanth, the butterfly pea, the trees, dhak, jhand, the Indian coral tree, the Borneo or Pacific teak, the Lead tree (Ipil –Ipil), the pongam tree, the monkey pod tree, ashoka, indigo, lentils, alfalfa, field restharrow and a whole host of other plants.

  A botanical synonym is Cytisus laburnum, so it is a close relative of broom, Cytisus scoparius.

  It looks very pretty, but it is poisonous and should be treated with care. It is indigenous to the mountainous regions of France, Germany and Switzerland, but can now be seen virtually all over Europe. Unfortunately the seeds can kill animals, and people. They contain the poisonous alkaloid, cystine, which may be a perfect insecticide, but cannot be used, for example to kill head lice in children (as can Stavesacre or Lousewort) because it may be absorbed through the skin. The poisoning can be fatal from ingestion of this plant, although there are some reports that this can be remedied by administering a violent emetic and then dosing yourself with whiskey or poisoned before having one!)

  It has been suggested that the seeds could be used for whooping cough and asthma, but again this has not been used because of the possibility of death occurring from the dosage which was meant to cure. (This is another plant, like aconite, either Monkshood or wolfsbane, which is best avoided.)

We know that this tree was introduced into England some time before 1597 as John Gerard, the 16^th century apothecary and herbalist, wrote of having one in his garden. He called it Bean trefoil or Anagyris. The laburnum tree is called Faux ébénier in French - False ebony as its wood is used instead of ebony. It is hard and durable but coarse-grained and need to be highly polished. However it is used by turners and may be used for furniture or decorative items.

  This tree may be attractive when it is in flower, but if you have one near you – take care!

STAVESACRE - INSECTICIDE, BUT POISONOUS: HISTORY, USES AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF STAVESACRE

STAVESACRE, LOUSEWORT, DELPHINIUM STAPHISAGRIA 

Stavesacre is a really pretty tall flowering plant which is highly toxic. It contains diterpene alkaloids which can prove fatal. The symptoms begin with euphoria, followed by depression and extreme sensitivity of the nerves, then paralysis, the slowing of the pulse and respiration until finally it causes death by asphyxiation. It acts in much the same way as Monkshood or aconite (also blue-flowered).

  Stavesacre is clearly a corruption of its Latin name, staphisagria (say it and you’ll see how!) It was given the name lousewort, because its main use was to kill parasites, especially head lice in children. It was much used in the Middle Ages, when there were hygiene issues!

  Stavesacre is a member of the buttercup family, or Ranunculaceae, making it a relative of Lesser Celandine, marsh marigolds, black cohosh, wood anemones, goldenseal and wolfsbane (another aconite). It is a native of the Mediterranean region and southern Europe, and can grow to around four feet high, so is quite conspicuous.

  The seeds are the main parts used, and these are collected and dried for later use, although given the toxicity of this plant is best left alone. It was known to Dioscorides and Pliny who both mention its use as a purgative and for killing parasites and insects externally. It has been used for skin problems and was thought to be an effective wart remover.

  Nicholas Culpeper, the 17^th century English herbalist had this to say about it: -

“Government and virtues. It is seldom given inwardly, being of a hot burning taste, though Sylvius de la Boe commends it from gr. xii. to a scruple in a dose, which purges upwards and downwards, causing a great flux of spittle; and is serviceable against the lues neverea. It is sometimes used in masticatories and gargarisms for the toothach. The vulgar use the powder of it to kill lice. The seeds are kept by the druggists, and they have been given in small doses against rheumatic and venereal disorders; they vomit and purge, and that in so rough a manner, that it is better to omit their internal use entirely. Chewed in the mouth, they excite a very large discharge of watery humours from adjacent parts, and frequently prove serviceable in disorders of the head; but they are chiefly used to destroy lice in children's heads, for this purpose the seeds coarsely powdered are to be strewed among the hair, and it never fails of destroying them.”

BIG-LEAF MAHOGANY- PRIZED FOR ITS WOOD: HEALTH BENEFITS AND USES OF BIG-LEAF MAHOGANY

BIG-LEAF MAHOGANY, SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA

Mahogany has been valued for its high-quality durable timber since the 16^th century. This tree, the big-leaf mahogany is native to Central and South America. In these countries there is a ban on its timber as it is now on the CITES list and the mahogany that is sold now comes from plantations in the Asia-Pacific region, from Fiji, India, Sri Lanka and other countries. It has been on the IUCN red List since 2003 in its natural range.

  Mahogany wood has a rich, red-brown colour and has been used to make musical instruments, for timber in the construction industry, boat-building and high-quality furniture. However the tree also has medicinal properties.

  In Bolivia the Mesetemo Indians use a decoction of the crushed seeds to bring about an abortion, and use the crushed seeds with the oil from Attalea phalerata for skin problems and children’s skin allergies. They make use of the bark to make dye. In Malaysia the seeds are chewed, or swallowed in powder form to treat high blood pressure, while in India the seeds are also used to treat this as well as diabetes. In India the seeds are also used for diarrhoea. In Indonesia a decoction of the seeds is given against malaria.

  In clinical trials the leaves have been found to have anti-diabetic properties, and to have anti-inflammatory properties as well as perhaps having the potential to help against hepatitis C. Traditional uses have also been upheld for the treatment of diarrhoea and malaria. The leaves have also been found to have some anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties.

  In some countries a decoction or infusion is made with the crushed seeds for all of the above diseases with honey added to sweeten the concoction. It is said to increase the male libido and so has a reputation as an aphrodisiac, touted in supplements for erectile dysfunctions. However there is no scientific evidence for these claims.

  The tree grows to great heights of 50 metres and can live for 350 years plus. It has white flowers which fall to form the fruit which is very unusual as it is gravity defying – it points upwards, and so is called the sky fruit. This contains a winged seed, which falls quite near the parent tree because of its weight, meaning that mahogany trees tend to form natural stands. The tree sheds its leaves in summer and is a member of the Meliaceae family of plants, so is related to the neem tree, Azadirachta indica, and to the Chinaberry tree, Melia azedarach. The other trees which produce mahogany are Swietenia humilis and Swietenia mahagoni. This one is also known as the bastard mahogany, as opposed to Swietenia mahagoni.

   Deforestation has led to the endangerment of this tree in South America, along with unsustainable logging for its timber. There has been a ban on felling it in Costa Rica since 1997. When the trees are felled this leads to soil degradation and erosion as the roots go deep into the ground and stabilize the soil.