We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Lycopus europaeus - L.

Common Name Gypsywort
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards Known to cause the enlargement of the thyroid gland. Avoid in patients with thyroid disease or given concomitantly with thyroid therapy. Avoid during pregnancy [301].
Habitats By rivers, streams and ditches, also in marshes and fens[9, 17].
Range Europe, including Britain, to the Mediterranean, north and central Asia.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Water Plants Semi-shade Full sun
Lycopus europaeus Gypsywort


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:253_Lycopus_europaeus_L.jpg
Lycopus europaeus Gypsywort
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lycopus europaeus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. 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 or wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Lycopus alboroseus. Lycopus albus. Lycopus aquaticus. Lycopus decrescens

Habitats

 Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - raw or cooked. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails[179].

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.
Astringent  Miscellany  Poultice  Sedative

The fresh or dried flowering herb is astringent and sedative[4]. It inhibits iodine conversion in the thyroid gland and is used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and related disorders[9]. The whole plant is used as an astringent, hypoglycaemic, mild narcotic and mild sedative[4, 238]. It also slows and strengthens heart contractions[238]. The plant has been shown to be of value in the treatment of hyperthyroidism[9, 238], it is also used in the treatment of coughs, bleeding from the lungs and consumption, excessive menstruation etc[4, 238]. The leaves are applied as a poultice to cleanse foul wounds[240]. This remedy should not be prescribed for pregnant women or patients with hypothyroidism[238]. The plant is harvested as flowering begins and can be use fresh or dried, in an infusion or as a tincture[4, 238]. Current uses are predominantly for increased activity of the thyroid gland and for premenstrual syndrome symptoms such as breast pain [301]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Lycopus for nervousness and premenstrual syndrome (see [302] for critics of commission E).

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Dye  Miscellany

A black dye is obtained from the plant[4, 100]. It is said to give a permanent colour and was also used by gypsies in order to darken the skin[4].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Tolerates most soil types so long as they are wet. Grows well in shallow water. Succeeds in sun or shade.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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

Fahrenheit:

image

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, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[238]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring or autumn[238]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

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
Lycopus americanusWater Horehound, American water horehoundPerennial0.5 4-8  LMHSNMWe131
Lycopus amplectensClasping water horehoundPerennial1.2 0-0  LMHSNMWe10 
Lycopus asperRough BugleweedPerennial0.6 -  LMHSNMWe11 
Lycopus lucidusBugleweed, Rough bugleweedPerennial1.0 0-0  LMHSNMWe12 
Lycopus maackianus Perennial0.6 -  LMHSNMWe10 
Lycopus uniflorusBugleweed, Northern bugleweedPerennial0.3 4-8  LMHSNMWe31 
Lycopus virginicusBugleweed, Virginia water horehoundPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNMWe230

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.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

   Sat Jan 19 2008

science direct Extract of Lycopus europaeus L. reduces cardiac signs of hyperthyroidism in rats

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Lycopus europaeus  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.