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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.




BUR REED
SPARGANIACEAE
(Sparganium stoloniferum)
[san léng]
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CONTRAINDICATED: NOT when PREGNANT.

Monoecious (having pistillate and staminate flowers on the same plant), aquatic perennial with a creeping rhizome which is native to north temperate zones, Australia and New Zealand. Linear leaves grow directly from the base; flowers appear in heads, the upper heads being male and the lower being female; fruit is a nutlet which remains closed at maturity.

NEEDS: Wet habitat and full sun.
PART USED: Rhizome; above ground portion of plant.
RELATED VARIETIES:
Sparganium simplex: Used similar to S. stoloniferum
Sparganium stenophyllum: Used similar to S. stoloniferum

MEDICINAL USES:
Rhizome is abortifacient, emmenogogue, lactogogue, sedative. Has been used in Chinese medicine to stimulate blood circulation as well as eliminate stasis of the blood in cancer of the cervix and also lymphosarcoma.
Plant has been used in Oriental medicine in decoction form for abdominal pain, amenorrhea, chest pain.
Has been used in Chinese medicine to dissolve blood clots or to treat internal bleeding (rhizome is cut fine for use, or else soaked in vinegar).





©2005 Ernestina Parziale, CH

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