Diamon Naturals

Alaena Charlotte Diamon

alaena@diamon-naturals.us

Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum)

Name:  Carrot (Apiaceae) family. This is the largest species of the carrot family in North America. The genus is named for Hercules, who is reputed to have used these plants for medicine.

Common Names:  Indian Rhubarb, Indian Celery, Hogweed.

Parts Used:  Fruits, leaves, roots, seeds.

Description:  Coarse biennial herb with a taproot.  Erect, branched, rough-hairy, hollow stems up to 8 feet tall.  Leaves are pinnately divided or palmately cleft, alternate, ovate, rough-hairy, coarsely toothed, up to 1 1/2 feet long, with a broad wing at the base of the leaf stalk.  Many flowers borne in large, many-rayed umbels; each umbel subtended by very narrow bracts up to 1 inch long; some of the flowers with stamens only.  Five green minute sepals, five stamens, and five white petals, free from each other and in multiple sizes, up to 1/3 inch long.  Blooms from May to July.  This species is distinguished from all other white-flowered members of the family by its stout growth form and its huge, hairy, palmately lobed leaves. The seeds are marked with 4 vertical purple lines, flat, obovate, smooth or nearly so, with 4 conspicuous vertical purple lines.

Habitat:  Found along streams and lowland woods.

Cultivation:  Cow Parsnip likes rich, moist soil and plenty of elbow room.

Constituents:  Volatile oils.

Uses:   Cooked, it can be eaten, but be sure you have the right plant; it looks similar to Poison Hemlock.  Decreases thickness and increases fluidity of mucus from lungs and bronchial tubes. Depresses central nervous system. Decreases spasm of smooth muscle or skeletal muscle.  Fruits and leaves are used as a sedative.  

Miscellaneous:  Butterflies and ladybugs like this plant.  Cow Parsnip is an endangered plant in some areas.

Caution:  Raw, might cause skin rash if sensitive. Don't take if you:
Are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or plan pregnancy in the near future.

Flower Essence:  Promotes inner strength; assists with the process of adapting to a new environment; encourages peace of mind.  For those who take life too seriously and feel that they are responsible for everything and often have an underlying sense of insecurity, allows the universe to handle the details. For lightening up and integrating play and relaxation into our process; brings a deep sense of inner strength, knowing that we can handle our lives.

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