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 | Masterwort Other Names:
Botanical Name: Imperatoria ostruthium
Family: N.O. Umbelliferae |
Description: |
| It is a smooth, perennial plant, the stout, furrowed stem growing 2 to 3 feet high. The dark-green leaves, which somewhat resemble those of Angelica, are on very long foot-stalks and are divided into `three leaflets, each of which is often again sub-divided into three. The umbels of flowers are large and many-rayed, the corollas white; the fruit has very broad wings. |
Habitat: |
| Masterwort, though rare in the wild state, was formerly cultivated in this country for use as a pot-herb and in medicine. It is sometimes found in moist meadows in the north of England and in Scotland, but is generally regarded as naturalized, having originally been a garden escape. Its native habitat is Central Europe. |
Medicinal Usage: |
Stimulant, antispasmodic, carminative; of use in asthma, dyspepsia, menstrual complaints.
The root, to quote Culpepper,
'is the hottest and sharpest part of the plant, hotter than pepper, and (in his opinion) very available in cold griefs and diseases both of the stomach and body.'
He tells us that it was also used 'in a decoction with wine against all cold rheums, distillations upon the lungs or shortness of breath,' and also states that it was considered effectual in dropsy, cramp, falling sickness, kidney and uterine troubles and gout. Also that 'it is of a rare quality against all sorts of cold poison, to be taken as there is a cause; it provoketh sweat.'
'But,' he advises, 'lest the taste hereof or of the seed, should be too offensive, the best way is to take the water distilled both from the herb and root.' |
Ancient Lore: |
MASTERWORT
PEUCEDANUM (= IMPERATORIA) OSTRUTHIUM
The root ... stands high as a remedy of great efficacy in malignant and pestilential fevers.
Common Masterwort grows to about three feet (91 cm) high and bears umbels of white flowers. The dark green leaves are winged and resemble those of Angelica.
Where to find it: Originally from Australia and alpine regions, it is now cultivated in gardens. Flowering time: Late summer.
Astrology: It is a herb of Mars.
Medicinal virtues: The root is hot and available for colds and diseases of the head, stomach and body, dissolving very powerfully upwards and downwards. It is most efficacious if given in a light infusion. It is also used in a decoction with wine against all cold rheums, distillation upon the lungs, or shortness of breath. It provokes urine and helps to break the stone and expel gravel from the kidneys. It also provokes women's courses and expels the dead-birth. It is singularly good for feminine disorders. Also use it for the dropsy, cramps and falling-sickness. The decoction in wine used as a gargle draws down phlegm from the brain. If the taste he too offensive, use the water distilled from the herb and root.
Modern uses: A decoction of the root - 1 oz (23 g) to 1 Pt (568 ml) of boiling water - is taken in doses of 2 fl oz (56 ml) for asthma, flatulence and delayed menstruation. This remedy should not he taken in pregnancy. |
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