Mezereon
|
Botanical Name |
Daphne mezereum |
|
Family |
Thymeliaceae |
|
Other Names |
Camolea, dwarf bay, flowering spurge, kellerhals, laureole gentille, Mezerei officinarum, Mezerei cortex, spurge flax, spurge laurel, spurge olive, wolt schjeluke, wild pepper |
|
Habitat |
Woods, scrub |
|
Description |
Deciduous shrub up to 1.5m/5ft. Stem: grey Leaves short stalked up to 8cm long, hairless Flowers pink, cylindrical clusters February-April Fruit: Red berries |
|
Native to |
Europe |
|
Parts Used |
Root, bark, berries, flower buds, root bark |
|
Actions |
Cathartic, diuretic, emetic, rubefacient |
|
Constituents |
Courmarin-glycoside, daphnine, resin, flavonoids Diterpene ortho esters: daphnetoxin, mezerein, related compounds Coumarins: daphnetin, daphnoretin, daphnin, triumbellin, umbelliferone |
|
Skin |
Frostbite |
|
Nervous system |
Neuralgia |
|
Other Notes |
It is said that if a branch is picked on 1st April and used as a broom it will protect homes from evil spirits |
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Caution |
Protected do not collect Poisonous |