Hepatica Liver-Leaf Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa


  • Common Names
  • Hepatica Liver-Leaf , Anemone hepatica
  • Botanical Name
  • Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa
  • Syn. Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa, Anemone americana
  • Family
  • RANUNCULACEAE

Medicinal Uses & Benefits of Hepatica Liver-Leaf

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How to Use: Hepatica Liver-Leaf


“The liver-leaf has held a place among medicinal plants from ancient times until falling into disuse in the last part of the 1800's when it was dismissed from the U.S. Ph. The plant held mild properties, forming a slightly astringent, mucilaginous infusion. It was used to treat coughs and other lung affections, as well as diseases of the liver.

As a pectoral it may be taken in the form of an infusion, hot or cold, in almost any amount, as its virtues are not of a powerful or disturbing nature”

Millspaugh, Charles F. "American Medicinal Plants" (1882) 8[2-2]

Preparation Methods & Dosage :May be taken as a tea or tincture


Hepatica Liver-Leaf Side Effects:

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Plant Description


  • Plant Class: Perennial Wildflower
  • Etymology: Hepatica is named from its leaves, which, like the human liver (Greek hepar), have three lobes. Sometimes referred to as 'Liverwort', however this term properly belongs to Marchantia polymorpha, supposed to be good for diseases of the liver, and in Europe it is applied to the latter plant.
  • Flowers: Bisexual flowers varying in color from pure white to a purplish blue with white borders.
  • Parts used: Leaves
  • Leaves:Basal, leather, 3-lobed.
  • Flowering Season: One of our earliest spring flowers, it grows from radial scaly buds amid last years growth. As early as March and continuing until May.
  • Distribution: Native to the colder portions of the North Temperate Zone, growing in rich, open woods as far as the limit of trees. In North America it grows from Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri, east and northeast to the Atlantic.

Regional Traditions :North America *


References:
books citedWorks Cited
  1. Millspaugh, Charles F. "American Medicinal Plants" (1882) 57[161]