Figwort
Scrophularia nodosa
Figwort or Carpenter’s square as it was known to the Eclectic Physicians has over 200 species listed in most botany books. All these species share the same square stems, opposite leaves and terminal clusters of bi-lipped flowers. Bees love the nectar from figwort plants. The name scropularia comes from the medical term “scrofula” which is another name for a Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the lymph glands of the neck.
What is Figwort Used For?
It has been used primarily to assist with conditions of the skin where swelling and disrupted lymphatic function contribute*. It can be considered an alterative, an herb that alters the constitution and composition of blood and lymph by restoring the correct removal of cellular waste and encouraging the uptake of nutrition by the cell*. It is also a mild diuretic, encouraging the removal of those wastes through the kidneys*.
Traditional Health Benefits of Figwort
Additional Information on this Herb
aucubin, catalpol, harpagide
aerial parts
1.) King's American Dispensatory, 1898, by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D.2.) Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.3.) McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.4.) Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.5.) Giner RM, Villalba ML, Recio MC, Mñez S, Cerd-Nicols M, Ros J., Eur J Pharmacol. 2000 Feb 18;389(2-3):243-52.
Not for use during pregnancy. If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical drugs please consult your doctor prior to use. Avoid figwort in cases of excessively rapid heartbeat (tachycardia).
- This information in our Herbal Reference Guide is intended only as a general reference for further exploration, and is not a replacement for professional health advice. This content does not provide dosage information, format recommendations, toxicity levels, or possible interactions with prescription drugs. Accordingly, this information should be used only under the direct supervision of a qualified health practitioner such as a naturopathic physician.
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