Lindera strychnifolia
Family: Lauraceae
What it is like
Lindera strychnifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 9 m (29ft 6in). It is in leaf all year. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 9
Where it is found
Shrub thickets along mountainsides.
E. Asia - China.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 2
Aromatic, decongestant, stomachic. The fruit is diuretic and vermicidal. A decoction is used in the treatment of abdominal distension, menstrual pain, stomach chills, dysuria, oedema, fungal infections, scabies and worms. The seed is febrifuge. The root is anodyne, antiphlogistic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, stomachic and tonic. It is used with ginseng (Panax spp.), liquorice (Glycyrrhiza spp) and lignaloes (the report does not say what this is) to form a famous Chinese sedative. The root s used in the treatment of menstrual pain, enuresis, frequent micturation and distension with pain of the lower abdomen.
Anodyne: Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.
Antiphlogistic: Reduces inflammation.
Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
Aromatic: Having an agreeable odour and stimulant qualities.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Carminative: Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
Decongestant: Removes phlegm and mucous, especially from the respiratory system.
Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Requires a lime-free rather moist soil. Prefers partial shade or dappled sunlight in a fertile moisture-retentive soil enriched with leafmould. Planted in gardens in the warmer areas of Japan, plants are hardy outdoors in Tokyo if they are protected from cold winds. Plants can be pruned right back to the base if required, though any drastic pruning is best spread over several seasons. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse. The seed has a short viability and should not be allowed to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July in a frame. Layering.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade
Moisture: Moist