| Common Name | Latin Name | Plant Family |
|---|---|---|
|
Niu Xi |
Achyranthes bidentata |
Amaranthaceae |
Two insect-moulting hormones are found in the roots[174]. Can this have a practical application as an insecticide?
The stem of the plant is used as a toothbrush that is said to be good for the teeth and is also a treatment for pyorrhoea[272].
Cultivation & Habitat
Seed – sow late spring in a greenhouse. Germination should be fairly rapid, prick out the seedlings into individual pots of fairly rich soil when they are large enough to handle. It is probably wise to grow this plant on in the greenhouse for its first winter, planting it out into its permanent position in late spring after the last expected frosts.
Prefers a rich, sandy, slightly acid soil in partial shade[238].
This species is probably not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to at least -5¡c[238].
When grown in a rich soil the roots can be up to 1.2 metres long[238].
Widely cultivated in China, especially in Henan Province, as a medicinal plant[238] and as a food plant[179].
E. Asia – China, Japan, India.
Become ungovernable, break the chains of the matrix; grow and forage your own food and medicine.
*None of the information on this website qualifies as professional medical advice. Take only what resonates with your heart and use your own personal responsibility for what’s best for you. For more information [brackets] [000], see bibliography.