August 22, 2002

ALISMA

Latin Name: Alisma plantago-aquatica

Alternate Names: Water Plantain, Marsh Drain, Ze Xie (Chinese)

Family: ALISMATACEAE

Parts Used: Rhizome.

Properties: Antibacterial, Antitumor, Diuretic, Febrifuge, Hypotensive, Kidney Tonic, Liver Cleanser, Parturient, Refrigerant, Urinary Stimulant.

Internal Uses: Allergies, Cancer, Diarrhea, Dysentery, Edema, Epilepsy, Hypertension, Infertility, Kidney Stones, Labor, Lumbago, Sexual Debility, Tinnitus, Urinary Burning, Vertigo

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

Alisma helps to improve kidney function and thus alleviates burining urine, inability to urinate and excess fluid retention. Being a kidney tonic, it improves conditions associated with the kidneys, such as low sex drive, infertility, and ringing in the ears.

Culinary uses: Bulb can be cooked as a vegetable.

Energetics: Sweet, Bitter, Cold.

Chemical Constituents: Triterpenoids (alisol, epiasol), asparagine, essential oil (furfuraldehyde) alkaloids, biotin, lecithin, stigmasterol, potassium.

Contraindications: Not for cold damp conditions such as leukorrhea or spermatorrhea. Very safe.

Comments: Ancient Chinese classics say of Alisma, 'if taken for a long time, the eye and ear become acute, hunger is not felt, life is prolonged, the body becomes light, the complexion radiant, and one can walk upon water (referring to spiritual enhancement).'

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), August 23, 2002

Answers

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), August 23, 2002.