Witnessed by: Western
Pilewort (Ficaria verna), of the Ranunculaceae family. Low spring perennial with glossy heart-shaped leaves and burnished golden star-flowers, dying back by early summer; native range: damp woodland, hedgebanks and stream sides across Europe and western Asia. Globally recognized as lesser celandine, figwort, spring messenger in English. The part used is whole herb with root. Bright fleshy leaves and clustered pale root-tubers, at first bland then acrid and biting when fresh.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
PILEWORT
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- pilewort
- Scientific name
- Ficaria verna Huds.
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
Form
- Part used
- whole herb with root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- astringent · acrid
Temperature
- Western
- cool
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- bowels · intestines
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- astringent, anti-haemorrhoidal, vulnerary, demulcent
Cautions
- Contraindications
- the fresh plant is not taken internally
- Toxicity
- the fresh herb contains irritant protoanemonin and must not be used fresh internally; drying renders it safe
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