medicinal herbs
Japanese Dodder
Cuscuta japonica
Herb: Japanese Dodder
Latin name: Cuscuta japonica
Family: Convolvulaceae (Morning-glory Family)
Medicinal use of Japanese Dodder:
A sweet, pungent herb that acts mainly as a liver and kidney stimulant, the seed of Japanese dodder is aphrodisiac, demulcent, diaphoretic, enuresis, hepatic and tonic. A decoction of the seed is used to treat a variety of complaints including diarrhoea, vaginal discharge, enuresis, backache, constipation and impotence. The young shoots are used to treat sore eyes.Description of the plant:
Plant:
Annual ClimberHeight:
100 cm(3 1/4 foot)
Flowering:
August toSeptember
Habitat of the herb:
Parasitic on shrub branches in lowland and low mountains all over Japan.Edible parts of Japanese Dodder:
Young growth, boiled and seasoned.Propagation of the herb:
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn, by lodging it among the stems of a host plant.Cultivation of Japanese Dodder:
Parasitic on shrub branches in lowland and low mountains all over Japan.Known hazards of Cuscuta japonica:
None knownPlant information taken from the Plants For A Future.