A strong-smelling perennial on a stout, knotted rhizome, 40-80 cm (16-32 in) n height, it has ovate to lance late leaves and terminal spikes of small, dull-pink flowers.
History and traditions
This herb was used in the past to treat scrofula or “the king’s evil”, a disease which affected the lymph glands in the neck. It conformed to the Doctrine of Signatures theory because the knots on the rhizome were thought to resemble swollen glands. Culpeper, writing in 1653, called it “Throatwort”, adding that “it takes away all redness, spots and freckles in the face, as also the scurf and any foul deformity therein”.
Habitat/distribution
Native to Europe and temperate parts of Asia, naturalized in North America. Found in woods and hedgerows. Growth Grow in very damp soil, in sun or partial shade. Propagated by division in spring, or by seed sown in spring or autumn.
Parts used
Rhizomes dried for use in decoctions and other medicinal preparations; leaves and flowering stems fresh or dried.
Uses
Medicinal
This has cleansing properties. Infusions of the leaves are taken internally or applied externally in washes or compresses for skin disorders and inflammations. Decoctions of the root are taken internally for throat infections, swollen glands and feverish illnesses.Scrophularia nodosa
