Opopanax chironium
Template:Short description Template:Speciesbox
Opopanax chironium, common name Hercules' all-heal,<ref name=GRIN>Template:GRIN</ref> is a herb of the family Apiaceae.
Description
Opopanax chironium grows Template:Convert high.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref> This perennial herb has a branching stem, thick and rough close to the base. Leaves are serrate, pinnate, with long petioles. It produces a large, flat, yellow inflorescence at the top of the branches.<ref name="fa">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Distribution and habitat
The plant thrives in warm climates like Iran, Italy, Greece and Turkey, but also grows in cooler climates.<ref name=GRIN/><ref name=fa/>
Uses
A gum resin (mostly gum) can be extracted from this plant by cutting at the base of a stem and sun-drying the juice that flows out. It has a strong unpleasant odor, unlike the perfumery's opopanax which is aromatic.<ref name=":0" />
The resin has been used in the treatment of spasms,<ref name=fa/> and, before that, as an emmenagogue, in the treatment of asthma, chronic visceral infections, hysteria and hypochondria.<ref name=":0" /> Opopanax resin is most frequently sold in dried irregular pieces, though tear-shaped gems are not uncommon.<ref name=fa/>
References
Further reading
- Tutin, T. G. et al., eds. 1964–1980. Flora Europaea.