Scrophularia nodosa (Figwort)

Question 1

How do you recognise Figwort ?

Answer 1

• Opposite cordate leaves on a stem that is square in cross section & unusual brown-green hooded flowers.
• There are 4 other similar looking plants in the genus in the UK.
• Could be mistaken for a member of the Lamiacea (Mint) but it isn’t
• Grows in shady and damp places - slightly fetid smell.
• Genus named after scrofula, an old name for diseases causing mainly neck swellings (especially bovine TB which people caught from drinking infected milk). Specific name from nodes on the root

Question 2

What are Figwort’s main constituents?

Answer 2

Constituents:
* Iridoid glycosides - Harpagoside, harpagide & traces of aucubin & catapol
* Phenolic acids - anti-bacterial.
* Flavonoids – including diosmin – anti-inflammatory antioxidant

Question 3

What family is Figwort?

Answer 3

A perennial member of the
Scrophulariaceae

Question 4

What is Figwort good for?

Answer 4

Summary: Seen as a skin repair and depurative agent. More active than something like Galium, but not as strong as Pokeroot Bendle mainly used for excema, acne or sometimes psorisis.

Actions:
* Depurative agent for dermatological conditions.
* Diuretic.
* Lymphatic tonic.
* Cardiac stimulant - not much research for this though.
* Anti-inflammatory.
* Vulnerary

Applications:
* Skin problems – eczema, psoriasis, acne.
* Pruritis.
* Rheumatoid & psoriatic arthritis.
* Lymphadenopathy

Historically used aerial parts or roots for:
* Tissue repair – wounds & burns.
* Cancerous swellings.
* Bovine TB.
* Leprosy.
* Historically often used in local applications.

Question 5

What is Figwort ‘s Latin name?

Answer 5

Scrophularia nodosa

Question 6

What parts of Figwort do you use?

Answer 6

Parts used - roots or leaves/aerial parts

Question 7

What safety issues might Figwort have?

Answer 7

Safety; mostly seen as being safe but avoid in patients taking cardiac glycosides and with tachycardia or hypertension due to some use for the heart

Question 8

What useful research does Figwort have?

Answer 8

External link:
Supposedly researchers are excited by the presence of harpagoside in Scrophularia and are keen to exploit this (Devil’s Claw also contains it). I can find little evidence to back this up, and very little research of any use to medical herbalists.
Here is a rather overwhelming review that some of you might like to sift for useful nuggets:
* The genus Scrophularia: a source of iridoids and terpenoids with a diverse biological activity”

Question 9

What remedies might you use Figwort in?

Answer 9

Dosage: 20-30ml/week of 1:3 tincture.
Figwort is no longer on Bendle’s shelf but has used for excema in the past. Other herbs used for excema might inclue Nettle and Smilax.