Bupleurum falcatum - Thorow-Wax

Family:	Umbelliferae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Width:	0.6
Synonyms:	B. chinense. D.C.
Range:	Scattered throughout Europe, including Britain, and Asia north to the subarctic, east to Japan.

Bupleurum falcatum (Thorow-Wax) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m and a width of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
Thorow-Wax will flower in January to April. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Thorow-Wax will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Thorow-Wax prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Thorow-Wax can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Waste places and hedgebanks[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
• Will grow in a hedge row

Cultivation Details

An easily cultivated plant[1], it succeeds in a sunny position in most fertile well-drained soils[138, 233, 238].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Leaves and young shoots - cooked[2, 105, 177].The new growth in spring and autumn is used[178, 179]. It is a good source of rutin[179].

• Leaves -
• Rutin - often used as a food supplement.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
A paste of the plant is applied to boils[272]. The juice of the roots, mixed with the juice of Centella asiatica, is used in the treatment of liver diseases[272]. This species is closely related to B. chinense and quite possibly has the same uses. It is certainly worthy of some research. The uses of B. chinense are as follows:- Bei chai hu root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for at least 2,000 years[238]. It is a bitter herb that is used to harmonize the body, balancing the different organs and energies within the body[254]. It strengthens the digestive tract, acts as a tonic for the liver and circulatory system, lowers fevers and has anti-viral effects[238]. The root is alterative, analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiperiodic, antipyretic, antiviral, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, haemolytic, hepatic, pectoral, sedative[116, 147, 174. 176, 178, 218, 238, 254]. It is taken internally in the treatment of malaria, blackwater fever, uterine and rectal prolapse, haemorrhoids, sluggish liver, menstrual disorders, abdominal bloating etc[238]. The roots are harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried[238]. The root contains saikosides[254]. These saponin-like substances have been shown to protect the liver from toxicity whilst also strengthening its function, even in people with immune system disorders[254]. These saikosides also stimulate the body's production of corticosteroids and increase their anti-inflammatory affect[254]. The plant is often used in preparations with other herbs to treat the side effects of steroids[218].

• Alterative - Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.
• Analgesic - Relieves pain.
• Antibacterial - Kills bacteria.
• Antiinflammatory - Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.
• Antiperiodic - Counteracts recurring illnesses such as malaria.
• Antipyretic - Treats fevers. See Febrifuge.
• Antiviral - Treats virus diseases
• Carminative - Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
• Diaphoretic - Induces perspiration.
• Emmenagogue - Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
• Haemolytic - Breaks down red blood corpuscles to separate haemoglobin.
• Hepatic - Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).
• Pectoral - Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
• Sedative - Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 8 weeks at 15°c[138]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer or following spring. Division in spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be planted direct into their permanent positions. It is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are well rooted before planting them out in the summer.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

The old plant is used as a fuel[178, 179].

• Fuel - Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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