Ligusticum sinense seed
LATIN NAME: LIGUSTICUM SINENSE
COMMON NAME: Gao Ben, Chinese Lovage, Hemlock-Parsley
Gao ben is a handsome aromatic herb of the southern Chinese mountains, and it has been valued in the medicine of the region for centuries. It grows as a sturdy, herbaceous perennial, with upright stems bearing finely divided, fern-like leaves and, in summer, broad, flat heads of small, white flowers, very much like the other members of the parsley family. It is a native of southern China, and its aromatic roots and rhizomes are the source of a traditional Chinese herb known as gao ben, which has been gathered and traded for centuries, while it belongs to the genus of plants known as the hemlock-parsleys, a group of aromatic herbs that share the same family’s characteristic fern-like leaves and flat heads of small flowers.
Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology
Gao ben has a genuine and growing place in both traditional and scientific research. It is a well-established herb of traditional Chinese medicine, and researchers have studied the chemistry of the roots and rhizomes, identifying the range of essential oils and other bioactive compounds that give the herb its character and its traditional uses, and examining their potential biological activity, which has made it a subject of continuing interest in natural product research. The plant has also been studied in pharmacology, since its traditional uses continue to guide modern studies of its compounds, while the related species of the genus are also of interest in the study of the parsley family, a family rich in aromatic and medicinal plants. The species has also been studied in botany, since its classification, under both Ligusticum and Conioselinum, has been examined by the taxonomists. For a herb of such long use, gao ben has a rich and growing record of research, and it is best appreciated as a subject of study and of the traditional use rather than a casual home remedy.
Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications
To grow the Chinese Lovage from seed, ecologically, the Chinese lovage is a generous plant of the mountain meadow. Its broad, flat heads of small, white flowers feed the bees and the other pollinators, and its fine, leafy growth covers and shades the ground, while it grows in the damp meadows of the southern Chinese mountains. Its economic value is real and significant: the roots and rhizomes are the source of a traditional Chinese herb that has been gathered and traded for centuries and is still in steady demand, while the plant is also valued for its fine, aromatic qualities. To raise the Chinese lovage, give the seeds a spell of cold in the fridge in damp compost, then sow them in pots of moist compost, keep them lightly watered, and grow the little herbs on in a shaded spot.
give the seeds a spell of cold in the fridge in damp compost, then sow the young lovages in pots of moist compost, keep them lightly watered, and grow the little herbs on in a shaded spot.
LATIN NAME: Ligusticum sinense (Conioselinum anthriscoides)
COMMON NAME: Gao Ben, Chinese Lovage, Hemlock-parsley
Gao ben is a handsome aromatic herb of the southern Chinese mountains, and it has been valued in Chinese medicine for centuries. It grows as a sturdy, herbaceous perennial, with upright stems bearing finely divided, fern-like leaves and, in summer, broad, flat heads of small, white flowers, like the other members of the parsley family. It is a native of southern China, and its aromatic roots and rhizomes are the source of two traditional Chinese herbs, known as gao ben and the related form, which have been gathered and traded for centuries.
Gao ben belongs to the parsley family, Apiaceae, and it is native to southern China. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine, with the herb derived from the rhizome and roots of the plant, and it is a member of the genus of plants known as the hemlock-parsleys, a group of aromatic herbs that share the same familys characteristic fern-like leaves and flat heads of small flowers, and that have been valued for their aromatic roots in the medicine of the region.
Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology
Gao ben has a genuine and growing place in both traditional and scientific research. It is a well-established herb of traditional Chinese medicine, and researchers have studied the chemistry of the roots and rhizomes, identifying the range of essential oils and other bioactive compounds that give the herb its character and its traditional uses, and examining their potential biological activity, which has made it a subject of continuing interest in natural product research. The plant has also been studied in pharmacology, since its traditional uses continue to guide modern studies of its compounds, and the related species of the genus are also of interest in the study of the parsley family, a family rich in aromatic and medicinal plants. The species has also been studied in botany, since its classification, under both Ligusticum and Conioselinum, has been examined by taxonomists. For a herb of such long use, gao ben has a rich and growing record of research.
Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications
Ecologically, gao ben is a generous plant of the mountain meadow. Its white flower heads feed bees and other pollinators, and its leafy growth covers and shades the ground, while it grows in the damp meadows of the southern Chinese mountains.
Its economic value is real and significant. The roots and rhizomes are the source of traditional Chinese herbs that have been gathered and traded for centuries and are still in steady demand, and the plant is also valued for its aromatic qualities. For a grower, gao ben is a valuable and respected herb, and for a gardener it brings aromatic fern-like foliage and broad heads of white bloom. The seeds need a little cold — give them a spell in the fridge in damp compost, then sow them in a pot of moist compost, keep them lightly watered, and theyll sprout steadily over a few weeks, growing on into a handsome aromatic herb.
Uses: Medicinal