Inula britannica - Xuan Fu Hua

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.75
Width:	0.5
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe to E. Asia. Formerly naturalized in Britain, but probably now extinct there[17].

Inula britannica (Xuan Fu Hua) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.75m and a width of 0.5m . It has a hardness rating of 7.
Xuan Fu Hua will flower in February to April. the seeds ripen from February to April
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, flies, self

Soil Information

Xuan Fu Hua will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary 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
Xuan Fu Hua prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Xuan Fu Hua should not be planted in shady areas.

Moist meadows, streamsides, ditches, wet woods etc[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Suits a meadow
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in a sunny position in any moderately fertile well-drained soil[200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238]. The sub-species I. britannica chinensis is the form used medicinally[238].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
Xuan Fu Hua is used in Chinese herbalism as a mildly warming expectorant remedy and it is especially suitable where phlegm has accumulated in the chest[254]. The flowers are more commonly used, but the leaves are also used, generally for less serious conditions[254]. The leaf is discutient and vulnerary[218]. The flowers are antibacterial, carminative, cholagogue, deobstruent, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, stomachic and tonic[218]. They are used internally in the treatment of bronchial complaints with profuse phlegm, nausea and vomiting, hiccups and flatulence[176, 238]. The flowers have an antibacterial action, but this can be destroyed by proteins in the body[176]. The plant is harvested when in flower and can be dried for later use[254]. The root is discutient, resolvent and vulnerary[218]. The plant has been mentioned as a possible treatment for cancer of the oesophagus[218].

• Antibacterial - Kills bacteria.
• Cancer - Used in the treatment of cancer.
• Carminative - Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
• Cholagogue - Increases the flow of bile and its discharge from the body.
• Deobstruent - Clears obstructions from the natural ducts of the body.
• Depurative - Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Expectorant - Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
• Laxative - Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
• Resolvent - Breaks down tumors. This might be placed under antitumor.
• Stomachic - Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
• Vulnerary - Promotes the healing of wounds.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed, it is worthwhile trying a sowing in situ in the spring or the autumn. Division in spring or autumn[111].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

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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