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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
-Urinary retention
-Strangury, Cystitis, Prostatitis
-Impotence, Infertility, used as an Aphrodisiac (especially Candied Root)
-Gravel, Stones

2. Clears Heat, Nourishes the Yin, strengthens the Bones:
-Lumbar pain (Matthiolus); weakness and pain pf the lower back and legs from Kidney deficiency
-lower back weakness; weakness of the bones and joints, chronic Arthritis or Rheumatism
-Yin-deficient Heat; consumption, wasting, damage to fluid from Heat or Fever
-Hoffman claimed the leaves gave noticeable improvement in Consumption

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

4. Clears Damp, Opens Obstructions:
-opens obstructions of the Liver and Spleen (Matthiolus)
-Hepatic; opens Liver, Gall Bladder and Spleen;
-Jaundice

5. Benefits the Uterus, Promotes Menstruation:
-promotes Menstruation (Matthiolus)
-obstructed, delayed or irregular Menstruation
-strengthens in Pregnancy
-Threatened Miscarriage
-prepares the Uterus for birth and for failure to progress during Labor

6. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-Venomous Bites
-Quartan Fever (Matthiolus)
-Poison
-whole herb has been used as a Blood purifier

7. Externally:
-swellings in the Throat, Scrofula
-applied as an ointment to Fractures
-applied to stings, and bites of any Snake for which it is applied and taken internally.
-A poultice or cataplasm applied to the belly to prevent Abortion.
-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)


DOSE:
The Dried and Preserved Root can be used in similar doses. However, some gave the prepared root in doses 50–100% greater than the dried root.
In Decoction: 3–6 grams, up to 9 grams
Of the Tincture (1:4 in 60% alcohol): 4–8 mls.
Of the Fluid Extract (1:1 in 25% alcohol): 2–4, or 5mls.
Of the Powdered Root: 1–3 grams

Main Combinations:
Opening Roots - Five & Two

1. Hectic Fever, beginning of Consumption, Sea Holly root with Comfrey
2. Consumption, decoct Sea Holly root with Snails
3. To prevent Miscarriage, Sea Holly root with Date, Sweet Almond, Nutmeg
4. To promote Urine:
i. Sea Holly root, Couch Grass, boiled with a Mutton neck. (Materia medica, Tournefort, 1716)
ii. Sea Holly root, Juniper berry, Fennel seed
5. Urinary Stones and Strangury, decoct Sea Holly root with Pomegranate rind
6. Cold diseases of the Nerves, Sea Holly root with Pine nut, Acorus root, Long Pepper, Clove, Ginger, Nutmeg, Galangal (as in Wonderful Confection for Cold Nerve Diseases)
7. Kidney weakness and Impotence, Sea Holly root with Orchis, Parsnip root, Sea Holly, Pine nut, Pistachio, Clove, Ginger, Aniseed, Rocket, Ash tree keys, Cinnamon, Skink (as in Electuary of Orchid (Diasatyrion) of Nicholas)

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