The herb is biennial or perennial growing to the height of 2 meters. Leaves are alternately arranged, lance shaped and toothed on the edges. Basal leaves are 90 centimeters long by 9 wide. Upper leaves are spiny toothed. Inflorescence contains white to blue flower heads with spiny and blue tinged bracts. 

The white flowers bloom in August and a number of species are cultivated for the steel blue colour of the stem and branches, and unusual manner of growth. The root is tuberous, aromatic and of a sweet acrid taste, resembling the parsnip.

Facts About Marsh Eryngo

Plant description

It is a perennial or biennial herb which resembles a cross between yucca and a thistle, can be a little over a meter to two meters tall and measures 1-2 meters tall. Stem is solitary, erect with parallel ribs and branches near top ending in globe shaped flowers. Stems have alternate, narrow, lance shaped leaves which is pinnately veined. The flower blooms from spring to fall. Flower heads are white to blue, 1-1.5 cm with 2 mm long flower petals. It has spiny, bluish and leaflike bracts extend beyond flowering heads providing an unusual appearance. Flowers are followed by short, oblong fruits about 2-4 mm with scales.

Uses

Very useful in dropsy, nephritic and calculus affections, also in scrofula and syphilis. It is valuable as a diaphoretic and expectorant in pulmonary affections and used when Senega (Polygala senega) is not available. The British and American Physio-Medical associations relay the following: “For sluggishness of the liver with uric acid accumulation as follows: Boil l ounce each of Eryngo (Eryngium aquaticum) and Wild carrot (Daucus carota) in 1½ pints of water, reduced to 1 pint, strain, and take a wineglassful 4 times a day. In case of Jaundice take 1 ounce of Eryngo (Eryngium aquaticum), ½ ounce Barberry bark (Berberis vulgaris), boil in 1 quart of new milk for 10 minutes, strain and take 2 wineglassfuls every 3 hours. Most obstinate cases have been known to yield to this remedy in from 7 to 14 days.”

The pulverized root, in doses of 2–3 grains, is very effective in haemorrhoids and prolapsus, and 2 oz. of the pulverized root, added to 1 pint of good Holland gin, is effective in obstinate cases of gonorrhoea, and gleet; to be administered in doses of 1–2 fl. drams three or four times a day. By some practitioners the root is employed as a specific in gonorrhoea, gleet and leucorrhoea, used internally in syrup, decoctions, or tinctures, and the decoction applied locally by injection. Used externally and internally, it cures the bite of snakes and insects. Dose of the powder, from 20–40 grains; of the decoction, which is principally used, from 2–4 oz. several times a day.

Homoeopathic Clinical

Tincture of fresh root—Anus (prolapsus of), Conjunctivitis, Constipation, Cough, Diarrhoea, Dropsy, Gleet, Gonorrhoea, Haemorrhoids, Influenza, Laryngitis, Leucorrhoea, Renal colic, Sclerotitis, Sexual weakness, Strabismus, Spermatorrhoea, Urine (incontinence of), Wounds.

Medicinal uses

• The plant is used as an antidote for snake poison.
• It is diuretic, diaphoretic and in large doses, it acts as emetic.
• It is used for treating disorders related to kidneys and sexual organs.
• Pounded roots are used as diuretic.
• Use the infusion to lower fevers.
• Chew the roots for stomachache.
• Root infusion is used to cause vomiting for nausea.

References:

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=29480#null

https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Eryngium+aquaticum

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eryngium_aquaticum

http://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Eryngium+aquaticum

https://practicalplants.org/wiki/Eryngium_aquaticum

https://www.gloucesterva.info/DocumentCenter/View/4106/Marsh-Eryngo-Briton-Snake-Root-August-2011-PDF

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