Herb latin name: Sagina japonica


Family: Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family, Starwort Family)



Medicinal use of Sagina japonica:

The leaves are used in the treatment of alopecia, caries, nerves, jaundice, fevers, foul sores, skin diseases and vaginitis. A decoction of the whole plant is used to treat boils, caries, dermatitis etc and as an antidote to varnish poisoning.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Annual/Biennial


Height:
20 cm
(7 3/4 inch)

Flowering:
May to
June

Habitat of the herb:

Lowland to mountains all over Japan. Sandy riversides, uncultivated farmland, roadside grasslands, forests, streamsides and floodlands at elevations of 100 - 4000 metres.

Edible parts of Sagina japonica:

Leaves - cooked.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame in the spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed it might be worthwhile sowing some in situ in April.

Cultivation of Sagina japonica:

Lowland to mountains all over Japan. Sandy riversides, uncultivated farmland, roadside grasslands, forests, streamsides and floodlands at elevations of 100 - 4000 metres.

Known hazards of Sagina japonica:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.