Lithospermum officinale

'Common Gromwell'

Boraginaceae: an upright, downy perennial to 50cm. found along woodland margins and in scrub, usually on calcareous soils. The flowers are 3-4mm across, creamy white, 5-lobed, in clusters, blooming from June-July. The seeds are shiny white nutlets whose texture resembles glazed china. The leaves are narrow, unstalked, pointed, with strongly marked side veins. Locally common in Southern England and South Wales, scarce or absent elsewhere in Britain. Native to Europe, including Britain, except the extreme southwest and north, east to Iran and the Caucasus.

USES:

The mature seeds have diuretic, lithontripic and oxytocic properties. They are ground into a powder and used in the treatment of bladder stones, arthritis and febrile conditions. An infusion of the leaves is used as a sedative. A syrup made from a decoction of the root and stems is used in the treatment of eruptive diseases such as smallpox, measles and itch. Extracts of the herb possess contraceptive properties.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Prefers a moderately fertile well-drained soil, in full sun to part-shade. Easy.

HARVESTED: 2022

APPROX. 45+ SEEDS