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Purple Gromwell
Lithospermum multiflorum Stoneseed, Puccoon Description Purple gromwell is a small, herbaceous perennial. Vertical stems, reaching 1-2 feet in height, arise from the root crown. The leaves and stems are verdant and somewhat hairy. The leaves form alternately along the stem and are narrow and elongated. Each leaf has a prominent mid-vein. The yellow flowers form in terminal clusters and are scorpioid shaped. Each tubular flower has 5 small petaled lobes. The small seeds are white and very hard, hence the name Litho-spermum (stone-seed). The plant’s taproot is long and slender. Purplish splotches are evident on the root’s crown.
Distribution From Wyoming, the plant grows south to Arizona and New Mexico. Throughout the southwest, it can be found from 6,000-9,500 feet. Look to Pine and Juniper Woodlands. The plant is fond of flats and slopes.
Chemistry Naphthoquinone, hydroxycinnamic acid ester: rosmarinic acid; g-linolenic acid; pyrrolizidine alkaloids, chlorogenic acid, succinic acid, and lithospermic acid
Medicinal Uses The medicinal potency of Purple gromwell is largely due to the purplish-red pigments contained in the roots. Surely, many species not profiled here are as medicinally potent. These pigments, largely composed of naphthoquinone, are also pronounced in Lithospermum erythrorhizon, a much-researched Chinese species.
Topically the plant has use in wound healing, mainly through its curbing effect on erratic, yet typical, inflammatory-oxidative states normally associated with wound and cuts. Furthering this effect is Purple gromwell’s moderate antibacterial quality. Purple gromwell is also inhibiting to various fungal strains, so its application is warranted in topical skin and nail funguses. There is also promise in the plant sedating the excesses of psoriasis and eczema.
Although lately Lithospermum ruderale has been shown to be broadly sedating to gonadotropic and thyroid stimulating hormone activity, because of the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, internal use of the plant should be avoided. Incidentally, this hormonal altering activity coincides with the Shoshone’s sterility inducing/contraceptive use of the plant. The roots and seeds of L. virginianum were once used by the Eclectic physicians and lay practitioners alike as a soothing diuretic. The tea was also indicated in dissolving urinary tract gravel.
Indications Wounds/cuts/scrapes (external) Bacterial and fungal infections (external) Psoriasis/eczema (external)
Collection Gather the plant in the spring or summer using the foliage or flowers as an indicator. The roots are small but older plants can produce sizable woody taproots. After the roots are dug, discard the foliage.
Preparations and Dosage Root decoction: topically as needed DPT (50% alcohol): topically as needed Oil/salve/poultice: as needed
Cautions As previously mentioned Purple gromwell contains liver-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, as do many other Borage family plants (particularly the Amsinckia and Cryptantha genuses) in the southwest. Internal use is to be avoided.
Other Uses Purple gromwell has potential as a dye plant as the Chinese variety, Lithospermum erythrorhizon, was used in silk staining. |