Eastern Valerian, Scabious Patrinia
Patrinia scabiosifolia
Family: Valerianaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid fall. Form: Upright or erect.
Patrinia scabiosifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) at a fast rate. It is in flower in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
Sunny grassy places in hills and mountains all over Japan.
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea and eastern Siberia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Young leaves, stem tips and flower buds - cooked and used as a potherb, added to soups or dried for later use.
Medicine
Rating: 3
The root is antibacterial, anticoagulant, antiphlogistic, antispasmodic, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge haemostatic and resolvent. It contains several medically active compounds, including triterpenic glycosides and has been shown to stimulate the liver into producing drug-metabolizing enzymes. The root is used in Korea in the treatment of the initial stages of appendicitis, perityphlitis and neuralgia. It is also used in the treatment of parasitic skin diseases and as an antidote to poison. The entire plant is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and hepatic. It is used traditionally as a sedative and also in the treatment of carbuncles, acute appendicitis, intestinal abscess, postpartum pain, dysmenorrhoea and endometriosis. It stimulates the circulation, treats abscesses, promotes regeneration of liver cells. Large doses can cause a decrease of white blood cells, nausea and dizziness. The crushed leaves are applied to abscesses and boils.
Antibacterial: Kills bacteria.
Anticoagulant: Removes blood clots.
Antidote: Counters poisoning.
Antiphlogistic: Reduces inflammation.
Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Haemostatic: Controls internal bleeding.
Hepatic: Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).
Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in
Resolvent: Breaks down tumors. This might be placed under antitumor.
Other
Rating:
Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Massing, Rock garden. Easily grown in any light rich soil in a sunny position. Special Features:Not North American native, Suitable for cut flowers.
Propagating it: Seed - sow in situ in April. If you only have a small quantity of seed it is probably better to sow it in a pot in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. Division in spring or autumn.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 5-8
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist