Eryngium foetidum L.Family: Apiaceae
Synonym: Eryngium antihystericum Rottler, Eryngium antihystericum Rottb., Eryngium foetidum f. comosum Urb., Eryngium molleri Gand.
Common name: Long Coriander, Wild coriander, Fitweed, Mexican coriander
Assamese: Jongali memedo, Ori
Bengali: Bon dhonia, বন_ধনিয়া
Dutch: stinkdistel
Esperanto: Eringio
French: Chardon étoile fétide
German: Langer Koriander, Mexikanischer Koriander
Hindi: बन धनिया Ban dhaniya
Hungarian: Hosszú koriander
Indonesian: Walangan
Japanese: ペレニアルコリアンダー
Khmer: chi barong
Lao: Phak Hom thet
Lithuanian: Kvapioji zunda
Malay: Ketumbar Jawa
Malayalam: ആഫ്രിക്കൻ മല്ലി
Manipuri: Awa phadigom
Thai: pak ch farang, ผักชีฝรั่ง
Vietnamese: Ngò gai
Spiny herb 15–60 cm tall, flowering stem much-branched, tough, from a stout taproot, smelling strongly of coriander (Coriandrum sativum, cilantro). Leaves mostly in a basal rosette, blade 10–16 cm long, 3–4 cm wide, narrow, tip rounded, base tapered, margin toothed, spiny; stem leaves opposite, stalkless, blade 2–3 cm long, 0.5–1.5 cm wide, often 3-parted, margins with spine-tipped teeth. Flowers pale green, minute, in dense, conical heads to 1 cm long, above a ring of spiny bracts, lon- ger than inflorescence, Feb.–Mar. Fruit dry, 0.2 cm, spiny, 2-seeded. Habitat: common weed of open habitats in wet regions, lawns, edges. Altitude: Sea level to 1200 m. Conservation areas: CVC, GUA, LAC, OSA, PAC. Range: Mex–Pr and Brz. Widely cultivated. Introduced to Africa and Asia. Invasive on some Pacific islands. Notes: Leaves used as a sea- soning and also medicinally. [A Field Guide To Plants of Costa Rica]
Action: Blood Tonic, Laxative, Purgative Part Used: Leaf, Bud, Young Shoot Internal Application: The Hill-Tribes use this herb to flavor soups and curries. Medicinally, it is used as a laxative and as a detoxifying purgative for malaria, allergic reactions, and
poisonous insect bites. Another species, the Amethyst Holly (E. amethystinum) is also used for these purposes, as well as for increased immunity, chronic colds, and general longevity. Preparation: Decoction [A Thai Herbal Traditional Recipes for
Health and Harmony]
Extract juice from leaves and drink for abdominal pains. Leaves menstrual pain, remove placenta, shorten labour [ Ethnomedicinal Plants Revitalization of Traditional Knowledge of Herbs]
Considered antimalarial, antispasmodic, carminative, and pectoral (DAW). Roots contain saponin and have an offensive odor. They are used as a stomachic. A decoction of root is valued in Venezuela as a stimulant, antipyretic, a powerful abortive, and sedative. In Cuba, it is a valuable emmenagogue. It is used throughout tropical America as a remedy for seizures and high blood pressure. Its infusion with salt is taken for colic. Leaf infusion used for stomachaches. The seeds and roots are used for earache (Mustalish and Baxter, 2001). Around our camps in Peru, “sacha culantro” is boiled for cramps and stomachache. Around Pucallpa, Peru, culantro with meat broth is taken for bronchitis and fever. Chamis Indians braise the dried fruits and have the children inhale smoke to treat diarrhea. Green fruits are crushed and mixed with food to treat insomnia. Créoles drink the decoction for colds and flu, and rub crushed leaves over the body to reduce high fever [CRC Handbook of Medicinal Spices]
Root—stomachic. Plant— galactagogue, diuretic. Fresh leaves are used as a vegetable and flavouring agent. Hot aqueous extract of the plant possesses anticonvulsant property. The ethanolic extract of aerial parts showed cardiovascular, diuretic and antistrychnine activity. The plant is CVS an CNS active and hypothermic. Sea Holly, found in sandy soils near the sea in Britain and Europe, is equat- ed with Eryngium maritimum Linn. The root possesses diuretic and anti- inflammatory properties and is used for urinary tract infections (urethritis, cystitis, polyurea, renal colic, prostatic affections). The root gave coumarins, saponins, flavonoids, plant acids and polyphe- nolic acids. Saponins are haemolytic, rosmarinic acid is known for its anti- inflammatory activity. [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]
A decoction of the plant is used for colds and fits in children. The plant is also rubbed on the body for fainting fits and convulsions. Since it is said to have magical properties in connection with protection from duppies (ghosts) this may explain its use in convulsions, fainting and hysteria for which it has long been employed in Jamaica. It contains essential oil (0.02 to 0.04 per cent) and saponin has been found in the root. In Africa it is used for ulcers and headaches. [MEDlCINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. PARTS 1 & 2]
82 Published articles of Eryngium foetidum
