Scorzonera

Garden or Spansih Scorzonera; Viper’s Grass, Black Salsify
Picture New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

Picture Scorzonera hispanica
Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz, Thomé, 1905

Picture Picture
Scorzonera hispanica
(Photos by H. Zell) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:


Scorzonera spp.
  1. S. hispanica (Spanish Scorzonera)
  2. S. humilis (S. latifolia), Serpentaria, is also used but is more bitter and therefore, probably less tonifying.
  3. S. musilii is used in Saudi Arabia.
In Turkey, a number of different species are used including S. latifolia, S. tomentosa, S. suberosa and S. mollis. These probably have similar effects. The Mongolian S. radiata is used against Poison and Fever.
Spanish (most common), German, Narrow-leaved and Low types were traditionally recognised.

Parts used:


Root
It rasped into long strips and dried for commerce.
Best roots are yellow-red externally and white internally; typically Black externally, white internally.

Temperature & Taste:


Neutral (slightly Warm), moist. Sweet

Classifications:


3D. CORDIALS & CARDIACS
4c. CARDIAC.    4f. SPLENETIC
Exhilaratives.    Tonics

Uses:


1. Tonifies Qi, Benefits the Spleen, Clears Damp:
-strengthening, good for Cachexia, weakness, convalescence, consumption
-‘they exhilarate the Heart and remove Sorrow and Melancholy’. (Salmon)
-Edema
-The candied root is most tonifying

2. Clears Wind-Heat, Resists Poison:
-Alexipharmic, strongly prevails against Poison, Plague and all types of Infectious diseases
-Fevers (Tertian and Quartan), Syphilis etc.
-venomous Bites, especially the bitings of Vipers
-Mongolian S. radiata is similarly used for Fever
-The unprepared root in decoction is best in Fever.

3. Stops Wind, Calms Spasms:
-Epilepsy, Apoplexy, Convulsion, Vertigo, Migraine with deficiency
-suffocation of the Womb

4. Externally:
-the essence or distilled water dropped into the eyes clears the sight


Preparation:


The candied (preserved) roots are more tonifying in weakness and restorative in consumption.

Dose:


Powder: 1–4 grams
Decoction: 4–12 grams

Substitute:


1. Oenothera biennis has been used as a substitute in Europe
2. Elecampane or Atractylodes Bai Zhu may be a suitable substitute when used as a tonic.

Main Combinations:


1. Anxiety and Palpitations, Restlessness, Insomnia, Melancholy, Scorzonera with Borage, Chicory, Licorice, Rose, Violet
2. Melancholy, Scorzonera with Balm and St. John’s wort
3. Epidemic diseases, spotted Fever:
i. Scorzonera with Angelica, Tormentil, Calamus, Red Earth (as in Orvietan Antidote)
ii. to prevent and treat Epidemic diseases: Scorzonera with Celandine, Dittany, Zedoary, Angelica, Gentian, Tormentil, Elecampane (as in Bezoardic Vinegar of Frankfurt)
4. Fever:
i. Scorzonera with Lemon seed, decoct, then infuse Cinchona, Contrayerva, strain and add Honey of Elder. (Spanish Pharmacopoeia)
ii. to the above can be added Senna, and Syrup of Pale Rose to make it more purgative.
5. Nephritis: China root, Scorzonera, Marshmallow, Licorice, Aniseed (½ oz.), Agrimony, Ground Ivy, Scordium, Nettle (1 handful), Figs (6), Raisins (1 oz.), St. Johns wort, Elder flower (1 pugil); form a Decoction. (Gazophylacium Medico-Physicum, Woyts, 1746)
6. Paralysis, Scorzonera with Galangal, Aloeswood, Clove, Juniper berry, Cinnamon, Sage, Rosemary
7. Weakness of the Heart, Lung and Stomach, Scorzonera with Bugloss root-bark, Balm, Borage, Rosemary, Fennel seed, Blessed Thistle seed, Basil seed (as in Syrup of Balm)
8. For Ptisan (nourishing Decoction), Scorzonera with Barley and Couch Grass root. (Fulder)
9. As a Kidney and Digestive (Qi) tonic, Scorzonera with Sea Holly, Elecampane, Salep (Orchis), Parsnip

Major Formula
Cordial Decoction
Syrup of Balm
Orvietan Antidote

Cautions:


None noted

Main Preparations used:


Distilled Water of the Roots, Extract, and the Candied Root were often used

1. Extract of Scorzonera:
i. Scorzonera root (1 lb.), Water (6 lbs). Macerate for 4 days in a warm place, boil a little, express then evaporate.
GENERAL / REVIEW:
–The genus Scorzonera L. (Asteraceae): A comprehensive review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, chemotaxonomy, and other applications.
–Chemical characterization and bio-pharmaceutical abilities of five different solvent extracts from aerial parts and roots of Scorzonera hispanica L

ANTIBACTERIAL
–A new step on the chemical profiles and pharmacological effects of three Scorzonera species (S. hieraciifolia, S. hispanica and S. tomentosa)
–Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Bunias orientalis L. and Scorzonera hispanica L. ethanol extracts

ANTIFUNGAL
–A new step on the chemical profiles and pharmacological effects of three Scorzonera species (S. hieraciifolia, S. hispanica and S. tomentosa)

ANTIOXIDANT
–Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Scorzonera Species.
–Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Bunias orientalis L. and Scorzonera hispanica L. ethanol extracts
–Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activities of Selected Scorzonera Species

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
–Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Scorzonera Species.

ANALGESIC
–Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Scorzonera Species.
–Antinociceptive activity of some Scorzonera L. species
–Analgesic compounds from Scorzonera latifolia

IMMUNOMODULATING
–Immunomodulating properties of lignan glucoside from cultivated cells of Scorzonera Hispanica L.

HEPATOPROTECTIVE
–Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Scorzonera Species.

CYTOTOXIC
–Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Scorzonera Species.

CANCER:
–LC-PDA-MS and GC-MS Analysis of Scorzonera hispanica Seeds and Their Effects on Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines.