Heracleum sphondylium

Heracleum sphondylium, Umbelliferae, Essential oil which contains butyric acid derivatives, furanocoumarin, pimpinellin, isompinellin, vitamin C
Heracleum sphondylium, Umbelliferae, Essential oil which contains butyric acid derivatives, furanocoumarin, pimpinellin, isompinellin, vitamin CHeracleum sphondylium, Umbelliferae, Essential oil which contains butyric acid derivatives, furanocoumarin, pimpinellin, isompinellin, vitamin CHeracleum sphondylium, Umbelliferae, Essential oil which contains butyric acid derivatives, furanocoumarin, pimpinellin, isompinellin, vitamin CHeracleum sphondylium, Umbelliferae, Essential oil which contains butyric acid derivatives, furanocoumarin, pimpinellin, isompinellin, vitamin C
Botanical Nomenclature Heracleum sphondylium
Common Name Common Hogweed, Cow Parsnip, Hogweed
Taxonomy- Family Umbelliferae
Distinguishing Features of the Plant Heracleum sphondylium is a biennial or perennial plant, growing from 60 to 120cm, with pinnate, hairy leaves and white or pink, malodorous, hermaphrodite flowers. The flowering and the harvesting take place from June to October
Region Found Arta (Tzoumerka), Ioannina (Metsovo, Peristeri, Gramos, Smolikas, Pindos, Vikos-Aoos)
Part of the Plant with Active Substances The whole plant
Active Substances Essential oil which contains butyric acid derivatives, furanocoumarin, pimpinellin, isompinellin, vitamin C
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications The herbal extract is administered as aphrodisiac, digestive, tonic, hypotensive, expectorant and sedative. It is recommended for the treatment of diarrhea, hypertension, seizures, gout, asthma, colic, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, pruritus, laryngitis, bronchitis, migraines and various skin diseases.
Method of Administration It is administered as aphrodisiac in the form of herbal tea (2-3 spoons of dried herb in a cup of boiled water, 2-3 times a day). In homeopathy it is administered in the form of tincture against seizures.
Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions.
Toxicity- Adverse Effects May cause photosensitivity of the skin, after exposure to the sun.
References 1)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Heracleum+sphondylium 2)http://practicalplants.org/wiki/Heracleum_sphondylium 3)http://theresagreen.me/tag/medicinal-uses-of-hogweed/ 4)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23541934 5)http://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/kings/heracleum.html