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Asarum sieboldii - Miq.

Common Name Wild Ginger
Family Aristolochiaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards One report says that this plant should be used with caution, a reason is not given[176].
Habitats Coniferous and mixed woods, dense shrub thickets[74]. Forests in moist humus-rich soils at elevations of 1200 - 2100 metres in China[266].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Manchuria.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Asarum sieboldii Wild Ginger


Asarum sieboldii Wild Ginger

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Asarum sieboldii is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 6in). It is in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anaesthetic  Analgesic  Antibacterial  Antipyretic  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Emetic  Expectorant  
Hypotensive  Odontalgic  Purgative  Sedative  Sternutatory

Odontalgic, sternutatory[61, 147]. The entire plant is anaesthetic, analgesic, antibacterial, antipyretic, antitussive, diaphoretic, diuretic and hypotensive[176]. It is used in the treatment of colds, severe toothache, rheumatic pain and chronic bronchitis with copious and thin phlegm[176]. This remedy should be used with caution, large doses of the essential oil can lead to death[176]. The root is analgesic, expectorant, sedative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic and purgative[218, 279]. A decoction is used in the treatment of stuffy nose, toothache, headache, rheumatic aches and pains, productive coughing and wheezing[147]. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a rich moist neutral to acid soil in woodland or a shady position in the rock garden[1, 200]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[200]. The flowers are malodorous and are pollinated by flies[200]. Plants often self-sow when growing in a suitable position[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the summer[134]. Stored seed will require 3 weeks cold stratification and should be sown in late winter[134]. The seed usually germinates in the spring in 1 - 4 or more weeks at 18°c[134]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out when large enough in late spring. Division in spring or autumn. Plants are slow to increase[200]. It is best to pot the divisions up and keep them in light shade in the greenhouse until they are growing away strongly.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Asarum arifolium Perennial0.2 6-9  LMHFSM012
Asarum blumei Perennial0.2 6-9  LMHFSM01 
Asarum canadenseSnake Root, Canadian wildginger, Canada Wild Ginger, Wild GingerPerennial0.1 3-9 SLMHFSM333
Asarum caudatumWild Ginger, British Columbia wildgingerPerennial0.1 6-10 FLMHFSM323
Asarum dilatatum Perennial0.0 -  LMHFSM20 
Asarum europaeumAsarabacca, European Wild GingerPerennial0.1 4-8 SLMHFSM023
Asarum forbesiiDu HengPerennial0.2 -  LMHFSM01 
Asarum heterotropoides Perennial0.2 -  LMHFSM02 
Asarum maximum Perennial0.5 6-9  LMHFSM01 
Asarum nipponicum Perennial0.1 -  LMHFSM10 
Asarum reflexum Perennial0.2 5-9  LMHFSM20 
Asarum shuttleworthiiAsarabacca, Mottled Wild GingerPerennial0.1 5-9 FLMHFSM202
Asarum splendensChinese Wild GingerPerennial0.2 5-9 SLMFSDM303
Asarum takaoi Perennial0.1 -  LMHFSM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Miq.

Botanical References

74266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Jun 6 2011 12:00AM

The green part of this plants contains aristolochic acid (AA) but only the top part. There is a FDA caution about it but it's not the part of the plant you use. The root is the part of wild ginger you want to use. It is used for sinus problems, toothaches, rheumatic pains, and phlegm in coughs. Mixed with other Chinese herbs (angelica du huo, clematis, and dang gui) it helps joints with pain caused by wind and damp.

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Subject : Asarum sieboldii  
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