Anemone pulsatilla, Pasque Flower

Common names

Wind flower, prairie anemone, meadow anemone, Passe flower, Easter flower, wild crocus

History

The plant is called pasque flower because it blooms at Easter. According to Greek legend, it sprang from the tears of Venus, and Dioscorides recommended its use for ophthalmia, as did Gerard and Culpeper

Medicinal uses

Sedative, analgesic, central nervous system depressant, nervine, alterative, spasmolytic (please see Glossary).

Benefits

Dysmenorrhoea with scanty menses, orchitis, ovaralgia, epididymitis, tension headache, hyperactive states, insomnia, boils, skin eruptions associated with bacterial infection

This herb is particularly applicable to women, and is of value in neuralgia, headache and nervous exhaustion, particularly premenstrually or during the menopause. It is a specific remedy for pain and inflammation of the reproductive system, especially when this is associated with poor flow: it alleviates menstrual cramps, especially when accompanied by anxiety or irritability. It will help insomnia and general over-activity. It is applicable to inflammation and infection of both male and female reproductive organs and tissues. In men, it is used to treat orchitis and prostatitis. The tincture is also prescribed for earache. Externally, pulsatilla is used to treat skin infections, particularly boils, on account of its antibacterial action. Protoanemonin in the fresh plant is antibacterial and a strong local irritant but it is not found in the dried material; its dimer anemonin does not have these properties. The whole herb, or an extract of it, is used internally to treat inner eye conditions such as iritis, scleritis, diseases of the retina and grey or senile cataract and glaucoma

Other Uses

In homoeopathy, one of the chief symptoms associated with the herb is tearfulness, and it is used to treat catarrh, indigestion, measles and for conditions characterised by weepiness and indecision. Chinese physicians use the herb to treat diarrhoea. Pulsatilla pratensis (L.) is also used medicinally.

Warnings

Anemone should be taken only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. It should not be used during pregnancy and lactation. The fresh plant is poisonous and should not be used. Excessive doses can cause violent gastritis. 

References

Bradley, P.R. (ed.) 1992 British Herbal Compendium, Volume 1, BHMA, Bournemouth.

BHMA 1983 British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, BHMA, Bournemouth.

Grieve, M. 1931 A Modern Herbal, (ed. C.F. Leyel 1985), London.

Hoffmann, D. 1990 The New Holistic Herbal, Second Edition, Element, Shaftesbury.

Lust, J. 1990 The Herb Book, Bantam, London.

Mabey, R. (ed.) 1991 The Complete New Herbal, Penguin, London.

Mills, S.Y. 1993 The A-Z of Modern Herbalism, Diamond Books, London.

Polunin, M. and Robbins, C. 1992 The Natural Pharmacy, Dorling Kindersley, London.

Weiss, R.F. 1991 Herbal Medicine, Beaconsfield Arcanum, Beaconsfield.

Wren, R.C. 1988 Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations, C.W.Daniel, Saffron Walden.

and special thanks to www.purplesage.org.uk