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Peppergrass
Lepidium thurberi Thurber’s peppergrass
Cruciferae – Mustard family
Description Peppergrass is a small, 1-2 foot tall annual. From its base, the stems are many branched, long, and narrow. They are covered with short flattened hairs. The 1-3 inch long leaves are variable in shape and are usually pinnately lobed or pinnatifid. After maturing, the leaves typically fall off, leaving the upper stems covered with seedpods. The flowering racemes are formed of small, white, 4-petaled inflorescences. The small seedpods are oval, notched at the top, and narrowed towards the base. Each seedpod contains 2 seeds; they are reddish and oval.
Distribution Peppergrass ranges in Arizona and New Mexico. From 5,000 feet and lower the plant is wildly distributed in sandy and disturbed soils. Look along trailsides, roadsides, vacant lots, and rocky slopes.
Chemistry Benzyl glucosinolate, glucotropaeolin, and undoubtedly other Mustard family constituents
Medicinal Uses Peppergrass, like many other Mustard family plants tends to be hot and expanding. A fresh or dry seed poultice applied to painful, arthritic joints is a useful approach in limiting those distresses. Known as a counterirritant, Peppergrass redirects circulatory emphasis, blood movement, and pain sensitivity to the surface. The poultice or plaster can diminish headaches particularly if the pain feels deep-seated.
Internally peppergrass is carminative and warming to the stomach. Its dilatory effect on vasculature increases blood movement to the stomach walls, improving digestive response and food assimilation. Not only is Peppergrass a diuretic it also is stimulating to menses. Use when menstruation is suppressed due to cold and poor uterine circulation.
Lepidium thurberi is only one Peppergrass species out of dozens that can be used medicinally. It is easy to determine what varieties are good medicines: after chewing, if the seeds are hot and pungent then they will be effective.
Indications Indigestion, with bloating and feeble stomach circulation Amenorrhea Arthritis (external) Headache (external)
Collection Strip the small green seedpods from the plant, lay out to dry or use fresh.
Preparations and Dosage FPT/DPT (60% alcohol): 30-40 drops 3 times daily Seed infusion: 2-4 ounces 3 times daily Poultice/plaster: as needed
Cautions Remove the plaster or poultice when increased heat and circulation is felt. If left too long on the skin it can cause the area to blister. Although somewhat unpredictable, Peppergrass (as well as most other Mustard family plants) contains compounds that can be mildly sedating to thyroid function. This is usually not a problem in individuals with normally functioning thyroids, but may exert some suppressant effect if consumed regularly by hypothyroidal individuals. Do not use during pregnancy due to the plant’s menses stimulating ability.
Other Uses Peppergrass can be used as garnish or added to salads and the like for its hot, pungent taste. |