Bearsfoot is a perennial herb growing to 6 1/2 ft (2 m) with large 3-lobed leaves and yellow flowers, native to the eastern USA from New York southward, preferring rich soil. A tall branching plant found growing in very rich soil the root is greyish brown in colour and furrowed, bark thin, brittle and easily scales off, odourless, taste salty and slightly bitter.
Plant Description
Its a perennial growing to 2.7m.
It is in flower in September.
The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It prefers moist soil and suitable for acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade.
Stem
The stems are erect, stout, branched, and covered with a rough, hoary pubescence.Leaves
The leaves are large, thin, opposite, deltoid in outline, and abruptly contracted at the base to short dilated leaf-stalks.
They are 3-lobed, with acute, sinuate-angled lobes, bright green on both surfaces, and studded below with numerous rough points.Flower
The flower heads appear late in summer, and are disposed in loose, corymbose clusters.The involucre is double
1) The outer consisting of about 5 ovate, obtuse, leaf-like scales, which are ciliate on the margin.
2) The inner, of the smaller thin bracts of the pistillate flowers.The flower heads are radiate, and the receptacle chaffy.
The ray flowers are about 10, in a single row, each being nearly 1 inch in length; they are oblong, of a bright-yellow color, and equally 3-toothed at the apex.
The ray flowers are pistillate, and alone fertile, as the disk-florets, although perfect, do not produce Fruit.
Fruit
The Fruit is an obovoid, black achenium, slightly flattened, and ribbed lengthwise.Cultivation
Requires a warm position in a deep rich soil.
The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread.Propagation
Seed – sow late winter in a warm greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts.Consider giving them some protection (such as a cloche) until they are growing away well.
Division in spring. Basal cuttings in the spring.
Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8-10cm above the ground.
Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well.
Plant them out in the summer.
History
Types & Varieties
Mechanism of Action
Additional Information
Usable Parts
Root – The root is unearthed in autumn. Its depends upon the root Resinous bodies for its medicinal virtues.
Directions of Preparation
Ointment
1) Take of fresh bearfoot root and cut the root into small pieces, and, having added the lard, heat the mixture until water ceases to evaporate, and then Strain while hot.
2) The ointment is of a light-greenish colour, and possesses the disagreeable odour of the root.
Recommended Dosage
Its Active Constituents:
Health Benefits of Bearsfoot
Digestive System
• Bearsfoot root have a beneficial effect on The Stomach (such as relieving Indigestion).
Foods & Digestive System
The Liver
• The root is said to have a beneficial effect on The Liver, taken to counteract Liver and spleen malfunction.
• Bearsfoot root as an anodyne, Laxative and Stimulant is valuable for the treatment of swollen glands and Indigestion / Dyspepsia caused by the spleen and spleen Malarial enlargements.
• The root is said to have a beneficial effect on The Liver, stomach and spleen and may be taken to relieve Indigestion and counteract Liver malfunction.
Foods & The Liver
Musculoskeletal System
• Bearsfoot root is also taken internally as a treatment for non-malignant swollen glands (especially for Mastitis).
Foods & Musculoskeletal System
Skin Health
• A poultice of Bearsfoot Bruised root has been used as a dressing and salve on Burns, inflammations and cuts.
Foods & Skin Health
