Actaea spicata Herb Christopher (Ranunculaceae)

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Actaea spicata
Herb Christopher
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The Actaea spicata plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Ranunculaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Herb Christopher.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Actaea spicata
Common Name:  Herb Christopher
Family:  Ranunculaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  All parts of plant are poisonous but rarely fatal[4, 10, 13, 19, 65, 76].

Mature Height:  0.5   Mature Width:  0.5

Habitat:  Ash woods on limestone and in damp stony woods to 1500 metres[13, 17].

Medicinal Information: The root is antispasmodic, cytostatic, emetic, nervine and purgative[4, 17, 65, 240]. In Canada the root is used in the treatment of snakebite[211]. It is also considered useful in the treatment of nervous disorders and rheumatic fever[211]. In India it is used in the treatmment of rheumatism, goitre and asthma[240]. This remedy should be used with some caution, see the notes above on toxicity.

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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