medicinal herbs
Cirsium spicatum
Herb latin name: Cirsium spicatum
Synonyms: Cnicus spicatus
Family: Compositae
Medicinal use of Cirsium spicatum:
Astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue.Description of the plant:
Plant:
PerennialHeight:
180 cm(6 feet)
Flowering:
Septemberto October
Habitat of the herb:
In sunny grasslands of the montane zones at elevations of 800 - 1800 metres.Edible parts of Cirsium spicatum:
Root - cooked. The root is stout with well-developed rhizomes. It is said to be deleterious in one report though no explanation is given. The root is likely to be rich in inulin, a starch that cannot be digested by humans. This starch thus passes straight through the digestive system and, in some people, ferments to produce flatulence. Young plant - cooked. Sweet and palatable.Other uses of the herb:
The seed of all species of thistles yields a good oil by expression. No details of potential yields etc are given.Propagation of Cirsium spicatum:
Seed - sow early spring or autumn in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 8 weeks at 20°C. Division in spring or autumn.Cultivation of the herb:
In sunny grasslands of the montane zones at elevations of 800 - 1800 metres.Known hazards of Cirsium spicatum:
None knownPlant information taken from the Plants For A Future.