Peucedanum japonicum
StarPeucedanum japonicum
Synonyms: Anethum japonicum
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In Japanese, Okinawan and southern Chinese folk medicine Peucedanum japonicum (sakuna) is used for coughs, colds, headaches and inflammatory and rheumatic complaints, the leaves and roots being taken as decoctions or eaten as a tonic vegetable (Namba, 1980). It is distinct from the official qian hu (P. praeruptorum). Pharmacological studies confirm robust anti-inflammatory activity of its coumarins (notably pteryxin) in vitro and in vivo.
Botanical Description
Peucedanum japonicum (Apiaceae), known in Japan and Okinawa as sakuna or chomeiso (the long-life plant), is a stout, salt-tolerant perennial of coastal cliffs and dunes in Japan, the Ryukyu Islands, Korea, Taiwan and eastern China. It forms a clump of thick, glaucous, leathery leaves that are two to three times ternately divided into wedge-shaped, toothed segments on fleshy, sheathing stalks. Tall, branched stems carry compound umbels of small white flowers, followed by flattened, winged fruits (mericarps). The roots and foliage are rich in khellactone-type coumarins and chromones, including pteryxin. In Okinawa the young leaves are eaten as a prized vegetable and the plant is associated with longevity.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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