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Cnidium monnieri - (L.)Cusson.

Common Name She Chuang Zi, Monnier's snowparsley
Family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards One report says that the plant is slightly toxic[147].
Habitats Field edges and the sides of ditches in China[147]. Riparian meadows and field margins in most of China[266].
Range E. Asia - China, Korea, Mongolia, Russia. Previously naturalized in the warmer areas of Europe[50].
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Cnidium monnieri She Chuang Zi, Monnier


Cnidium monnieri She Chuang Zi, Monnier

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Cnidium monnieri is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses: Condiment

The leaves are used as a condiment[61, 177, 183]. Young shoots[179]. No further details are given, but some caution is suggested because of a report of slight toxicity.

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.
Antipruritic  Antirheumatic  Aphrodisiac  Astringent  Carminative  Eczema  Sedative  Vermifuge  
Vulnerary

She Chuang Zi has been used for thousands of years in Chinese herbal medicine. It is mainly used externally as a lotion, powder or ointment for skin conditions such as eczema, ringworm and scabies[254]. The seed is antipruritic, aphrodisiac, antirheumatic, astringent, carminative, discutient, sedative, vermifuge and vulnerary[147, 176, 218]. A decoction is used internally in the treatment of Trichomonas vaginitis, leucorrhoea and uterine displacement[147]. The seed is also used in the treatment of impotence, often in conjunction with Schisandra chinensis[254]. It has been shown to have an action similar to the sex hormones, prolonging and reviving the copulation period, increasing the weight of the uterus and ovary, prostate gland and testicle[176]. A decoction of the seed or whole plant is applied externally to skin problems including weeping eczema[147].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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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. Judging by the plants native habitat it is likely to require a well-drained soil in a sunny position. One report says that it is an annual whilst another says that it is perennial[50, 147].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing it as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Alternatively, sow stored seed in late winter in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation (Buryatia, Chita, Irkutsk (south), Krasnoyarsk (south), Yakutia-Sakha (south)), Mongolia, Russian Federation (Primorye), China, Korea, Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: India (Assam, Meghalaya), Laos, Vietnam

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
Cnidium japonicum Biennial/Perennial0.2 -  LMNM10 
Cnidium officinale Perennial0.5 -  LMHSNM12 

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Cusson.

Botanical References

50266

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Anna Poh   Mon Nov 3 2008

May i haveA decoction is used internally in the treatment of Trichomonas vaginitis, leucorrhoea and uterine displacement[ the supporting paper or article of the claim stated below:

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