Impatiens noli-tangere Touch-me-not (Balsaminaceae)

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Impatiens noli-tangere
Touch-me-not
(1 Page of 5)

The Impatiens noli-tangere plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Balsaminaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Touch-me-not.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Impatiens noli-tangere
Common Name:  Touch-me-not
Family:  Balsaminaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  Regular ingestion of large quantities of these plants can be dangerous due to their high mineral content[172]. This report, which seems nonsensical, might refer to calcium oxalate. This mineral is found in I. capensis and so is probably also in other members of the genus. It can be harmful raw but is destroyed by thoroughly cooking or drying the plant[K]. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones and hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet[238].

Mature Height:  1   Mature Width:

Habitat:  By streams, wet ground in woods in N. Wales, the Lake District, Yorkshire and Lancashire[17].

Medicinal Information: The plant is antiseptic, diuretic, strongly emetic, laxative and vulnerary[4, 9, 61]. It has been used in the treatment of stranguary and haemorrhoids[4]. The plant is occasionally used internally in the treatment of haemorrhoids and as a laxative and diuretic, but the dose must be carefully adhered to since large quantities are strongly emetic[9]. The plant is harvested at any time in the summer[9].

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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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