Germander, Sage-Leaved
Where To Found It: Sage-leaved Germander
(Teucrium scorodonia) is a common woodland plant in healthy
districts. It is a native of Europe and Morocco, found in woody and
hilly situations among bushes and under hedges, where the soil is
dry and stony. It is frequent in such places in most parts of Great
Britain, flowering from July to September.
The roots are perennial and creeping, the stems square, a foot
or two in height, of a shrubby character, with opposite greyish-green,
sage-like leaves, in form somewhat oblong heart-shaped, the edges
coarsely toothed, very much wrinkled in texture like those of the
Sage, hence its familiar names, Wood Sage and Sage Germander.
The whole plant is softly hairy or pubescent. The small labiate
flowers are in onesided spike-like clusters, the corollas greenish-yellow
in colour, with four stamens, which have yellow anthers, and very
noticeable purple and hairy filaments. The terminal flowering spike
is about as long again as those that spring laterally below it from
the axils of the uppermost pair of leaves.
The generic name of Teucrium was bestowed by Linnaeus,
it has been suggested, from a belief that this plant is identical
with the plant that Dioscorides says was first used medicinally
by an ancient king of Troy, named Teucer, but it is also said that
Linnaeus named the genus after a Dr. Teucer, a medical botanist.
The specific name, scorodonia, is derived from the Greek
word for Garlic, and does not appear to be particularly appropriate
to this species.
It has been popularly called ' Hind Heal,' from a theory that
the hind made use of it when sick or wounded, and was probably the
same herb as Elaphoboscum, the Dittany taken by harts in
Crete.
In taste and smell, the species resembles Hops. It is called 'Ambroise'
in Jersey, and used there and in some other districts as a substitute
for hops. It is said that when this herb is boiled in wort the beer
becomes clear sooner than when hops are made use of, but that it
is apt to give the liquor too much colour.
The bitter taste is due to the presence of a peculiar tonic principle
found in all the species of this genus.
There are about 100 species of Teucrium widely dispersed
throughout the world, but chiefly abounding in the northern temperate
and subtropical regions of the Eastern Hemisphere. Of the three
other British species besides the Wood Sage, two have been used
medicinally, T. Chamaedrys (Wall Germander), a famous old
gout medicine, and T. Scordium (Water Germander).
Wood Sage is generally collected in the wild state, but will thrive
in any moderately good soil, and in almost any situation.
It may be increased by seeds, by cuttings, inserted in sandy soil,
under a glass, in spring and summer; or by division of roots in
the autumn.
A volatile oil, some tannin and a bitter principle.
Modern Uses: Alterative and diuretic,
astringent tonic, emmenagogue. Much used in domestic herbal practice
for skin affections and diseases of the blood, also in fevers, colds,
inflammations, and as an emmenagogue.
Fluid extract, 1/2 to 1 drachm.
It is useful for quinsy, sore throat, and in kidney and bladder
trouble.
In chronic rheumatism it has been used with benefit, and is considered
a valuable tonic and restorer of the system after an attack of rheumatism,
gout, etc.
The infusion (freshly prepared) is the proper mode of administration,
made from 1 OZ. of the dried herb to 1 pint of boiling water, taken
warm in wineglassful doses, three or four times a day.
Wood Sage is an appetizer of the first order, and as a tonic will
be found equal to Gentian. It forms an excellent bitter combined
with Comfrey and Ragwort, which freely influences the bladder.
- It is also good to cleanse old sores. If used in the green
state with Comfrey and Ragwort, the combination makes an excellent
poultice for old wounds and inflammations in any part of the body.
Culpepper tells us:
- 'The decoction of the green herb with wine is a safe and sure
remedy for those who by falls, bruises or blows suspect some vein
to be inwardly broken, to disperse and void the congealed blood
and consolidate the veins. The drink used inwardly and the herb
outwardly is good for such as are inwardly or outwardly bursten,
and is found to be a sure remedy for the palsy. The juice of the
herb or the powder dried is good for moist ulcers and sores. It
is no less effectual also in green wounds to be used upon any
occasion.'
A snuff has been made from its powdered leaves to cure nasal polypi.
Other Names: Wood Sage. Large-leaved Germander.
Hind Heal. Ambroise. Garlic Sage.
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