Eryngium, Sea Holly

Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

Parkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
Medical Botany, Stephenson & Churchill, 1831

Left: E. campestre.      Right: E. planum
Flora von Deutschland (4), Kohler, 1884
Botanical name:
Eryngium spp.
Although E. maritimum is the principle species, several species have been used:
  1. E,. maritimum (Sea Eryngo or Sea Holly)
  2. E. campestre (Common Eryngo)
  3. E. planum

Parts used:
Root

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Sweet
opens, discusses

Classifications:
2M. DRAWING.    2S. STRENGTHENING
3C. ALEXIPHARMIC.    3I. APHRODISIAC.    3J. INCREASE SEMEN
4h. NEPHRITIC.    4j. NERVINE

Uses:
1. Benefits the Kidneys, Promotes Urine:
-Edema or frequent Urination from Kidney weakness

2. Clears Heat, Nourishes the Yin, strengthens the Bones:
-Lumbar pain (Matthiolus); weakness and pain pf the lower back and legs from Kidney deficiency

3. Nourishes Yin, Settles Wind, Stops Spasm:
-Spasms, Epilepsy (Matthiolus)

4. Clears Damp, Opens Obstructions:
-opens obstructions of the Liver and Spleen (Matthiolus)

5. Benefits the Uterus, Promotes Menstruation:
-promotes Menstruation (Matthiolus)

6. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-Venomous Bites

7. Externally:
-applied as an ointment to Fractures
-The juice is dropped in the ears for abscesses of them.
-The powdered root applied as a poultice aids tissue regeneration


PRESERVED ROOT:
The Preserved or Candied Root is used as a Cordial, Alexipharmic, and is a better tonic and strengthening medicine; it ‘helps those that are withered with old age; restore the Natural moisture [Yin], and provoke Venery’. (Salmon)

Main Combinations:
Opening Roots - Five & Two

1. Hectic Fever, beginning of Consumption, Sea Holly with  ... available in PRO version
2. Consumption, decoct Sea Holly with ... available in PRO version
3. To prevent Miscarriage, Sea Holly with ... available in PRO version
4. Urinary Stones and Strangury, decoct Sea Holly with ... available in PRO version
5. Cold diseases of the Nerves, Sea Holly with ... available in PRO version
6. Kidney weakness and Impotence, Sea Holly with ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas:
Powder for Epilepsy (De Medicis Pulveribus)
Electuary of Orchid (Diasatyrion) (Nicholas)
Antidote for Cold Lumbar, for Venery, and Defect of Semen (Nicholas)
Wonderful Confection for Cold Nerve Diseases


Cautions:
Generally Safe.
Some related species have been said to be abortifacient, yet Sea Holly has been used to prevent miscarriage. It should be used cautiously in Pregnancy and full doses should be avoided. In addition, it is only suitable for Threatened Miscarriage with deficiency, not Heat.

Main Preparations used:
Candied root