Whatever your area of interest, the Boletus Plantoteque provides you with information about our wild and useful plants in words and pictures. We give you the names in various languages and in Latin. You get to learn a bit about how they were used in the past and present, from 

  

a medical (NOTE: No Boletus experiments!), cosmetic or culinary perspective. We at Boletus hope you have fun and succeed in the quest for the plants you are looking for!

Comfrey / Symphytum officinale

Astringent, wound healing, anti-inflammatory and soothing. Mildly sedative. Used internally against chronic inflammation of the airways. Against gastric and intestinal ulcers and diarrhoea. Used in plasters, liniments, ointments and bath preparations. Used in both patent medicine and homeopathy.

Elecampane / Inula helenium

Roots of the 2 and 3 year old plant contain a bitter substance that is anthelmintic. Also used against coughs, loss of appetite and digestive disorders

Deadly nightshade / Atropa belladonna

Barberry / Berberis vulgaris

Common tormentil / Potentilla tormentilla

The rhizome is antihaemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, astringent and antiseptic. Increases mucosal secretion. As a decoction or powder, it is used for the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery and gastro-intestinal bleeding. Used externally on compresses against abrasions, burns, sunburn and gargles for throat and oral infections.

Prickly restharrow / Ononis spinosa

The rhizome is diuretic, lithontriptic and antihypertensive. Antiseptic. Tonic. Used to treat oedema , inflammation of the bladder and kidneys, for lowering blood pressure and for relieving rheumatic and arthritic pain.

Butchers broom / Ruscus aculeatus

Chicory / Cichorium intybus

Stimulates appetite, invigorating, blood sugar-lowering, diuretic and laxative. A decoction is used in disorders of the liver, to treat gall and kidney stones and for inflammations of the urinary tract.

Nettle medium / Urtica urens

Field eryngo / Eryngium campestre

Globe artichoke / Cynyra scolymus

Yellow gentian / Gentiana lutea

Has been used as a stomachic medicine since around 200 AD. Still used in both folk and conventional medicine. Stimulates the production of gastric juice, promotes bowel movements aiding digestion, and is effective at burning fat.

/ Cytisus scoparius

Asarabacca / Asarum europaeum

Rhizome is strongly faecal and vomit-inducing. Is a diuretic and used as an emetic. Even a very small dose produces sneezing and mucus, larger doses can cause haemorrhaging and miscarriage.

/ Helleborus odorus

Sweet sedge / Acorus calamus

Used as a stomach medicine, especially for its carminative effect. In the bath to treat nervous exhaustion. Also used frequently in the perfume industry.

Wild angelica / Angelica archangelica

Invigorating, carminative, antispasmodic and also used for the treatment of bronchitis and loss of appetite.

Couch-grass / Agropyrum repens

Antiseptic. Diuretic. As a herbal tea to treat liver and urinary tract disorders and kidney stones. Also used for gout and rheumatism.

Marshmallow / Althaea officinalis

Valerian / Valeriana officinalis

The rhizome and roots of the 2 year old plant are calming, soporific and antispasmodic. Used for heart problems depression, nervous exhaustion, anxiety, headaches and chronic insomnia.

Oxlip / Primula elatior

Expectorant used for coughs and bronchitis and also effective as a diuretic and sudorific.

Dandelion / Taraxacum officinale

Roasted roots, dried and ground, produce a caffeine-free coffee substitute. The entire plant is a bitter tonic, stomachic, nutritious and diuretic. An infusion is used to stimulate appetite, ease digestion, relieve gall and liver disorders, counteract oedema and rheumatism. The pressed juices are used in winemaking and to treat warts. Contains plenty of A, B and C vitamins.

Colewort / Geum urbanum

The rhizome is astringent, invigorating, anti-inflammatory and inhibiting. Antiseptic. As a powder and decoction, it is used for the treatment of gastro-enteritis, colitis, liver disorders and to regulate haemorrhaging. Used externally in gargles for stomatitis, gingivitis and other oral inflammations, as well as bad breath. Colewort is used in compresses and bath preparations to treat skin conditions and haemorrhoids.

Horse-radish / Armoracia rusticana

Parsley / Petroselinum crispum

Petasites / Petasites hybridus

/ Tubera salep

Soapwort / Saponaria officinalis

Stemless carline thistle / Carlina acaulis

Dwarf elder / Sambucus ebulus

An alcoholic extract of the rhizome was considered very useful for hair loss and dandruff.

Common polypody / Polypodium vulgare

Relieves coughs, laxative and anthelmintic. An infusion is used to treat persistent throat and lung infections, urinary tract infection and for removing parasites.

Great burdok / Arctium lappa

Diuretic, antiseptic, sudorific and blood sugar absorbing. Bile stimulant.

Bistort / Polygonum bistorta

Rhizome is mainly used for diarrhoea, throat and mouth infections. In ancient times, the root was used to treat snake bites. As a decoction, infusion or powder, it is used in the treatment of internal and external bleeding, gastro-enteritis, dysentery and incontinence. Used externally as a gargle and mouthwash.

Iris, Purple flag / Iris germanica

Rootstocks of 2-4 year old plants relieve coughs and are diuretic. Can cause nausea and vomiting.

Male fern / Dryopteris filix-mas

White false helleborine / Veratrum album