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Collinsonia canadensis - L.

Common Name Stone Root - Horse Balm, Richweed
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards Minute doses of the fresh leaves can cause vomiting[222], though the root is well-tolerated by the body[238]. Possible blood pressure elevation [301].
Habitats Rich damp woods[43, 222].
Range Eastern N. America - Ontario and Vermont to Florida, west to Wisconsin.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade
Collinsonia canadensis Stone Root - Horse Balm,  Richweed


Collinsonia canadensis Stone Root - Horse Balm,  Richweed
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Phyzome

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Collinsonia canadensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Collinsonia cuneata. Collinsonia decussata. Collinsonia ovalis. Pleuradenia praecox.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Bog Garden;

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.
Alterative  Antispasmodic  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Sedative  Tonic  Urinary  Vasodilator  
Vulnerary

The whole plant, but especially the fresh root, is alterative, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, sedative, tonic, vasodilator and vulnerary[4, 21, 46, 102, 165]. A tea made from the roots is strongly diuretic, it is valuable in the treatment of all complaints of the urinary system and the rectum and is used in the treatment of piles, indigestion, diarrhoea, kidney complaints etc[4, 222]. It has proved of benefit in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, mucous colitis and varicose veins[254]. The root is seldom used on its own but is contained in remedies with other herbs, especially Aphanes arvensis, Eupatorium purpureum and Hydrangea arborescens[238]. The roots contain more than 13,000 parts per million of rosmarinic acid, the same anti-oxidant that is found in rosemary[222]. The fresh leaves are strongly emetic[222]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity[222]. A poultice of the leaves or roots is applied to burns, bruises, sores, sprains etc[4, 222, 254].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a sandy peat in a moist situation but it is easily grown in ordinary garden soils[1] so long as they are not dry[200]. Prefers dappled shade[200]. The whole plant has a strong disagreeable odour and a pungent spicy taste[4]. Another report says that the foliage is strongly aromatic, with a lemon scent[238].

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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The PFAF Bookshop

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 - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can also be sown in the spring, though it might be slower to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame. Plant them out in spring or early summer of their second year. Division in spring[1].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec, Ontario (south)), United States (Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Missouri (southeast), Illinois, Wisconsin, Alabama, Delaware, Florida (north), Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas)

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

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.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

pete jones   Sat May 27 2006

A decent natural cure for hemmoroids!

Fred Gates   Thu Oct 18 2007

Fresh leaves crushed and applied to your body or clothing makes you invisible to biting insects. That is why it is called citronella. Fred Gates

ken   Tue Apr 1 2008

I think it is miraculous cure for hemorrhoids, serious. Even for chronic cases.

Peter   Sun Apr 26 2009

It's great for sinus infections as it positively impacts the entire mucous membrane system (mouth to down there)

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Subject : Collinsonia canadensis  
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