Masterwort

(Peucedanum ostruthium (L.) Koch, Umbelliferae).

Description: Perennial plant with brown, annulated rhizome 1.5cm (0.6in) thick bearing slender stolons that develop abundant colonies of new plants.
Leaves 1 -2-ternate, the segments irregularly dentate.
Stem 40cm-1 m (1-3ft) high, with few leaves.
Flowers small, white, in Large-leave lime.
Flowering: June-August.
All parts of the plant and especially the subterranean organs have a strong odour resembling both celery and angelica.

Parts Used: Rhizome, stolons and roots; rarely the fresh leaves and the fruits.

Habitat and Collection: A native of the Alpine countries at altitudes of 1,200-1,600m (3,900-5,200ft); also found at lower levels, in moist places, beside streams and copses, on calcareous or siliceous soils.
Introduced in Britain, formerly cultivated; now naturalised in northern areas.
Collected in September-October (or in spring before the shoots develop) and rapidly dried in the shade (also in sunlight in autumn).

Constituents and Action Volatile oil, gum, resin, some derivatives of coumann.
Powerfully stimulates secretion of digestive juices, it is thus used as an appetiser.
It is also an expectorant in bronchitis; its supposed diuretic properties and action on menstruation are doubtful.

Usage: In powder form (a knife-pointful in water 3 times daily) or as an infusion (0.5 litre (1 pt) of cold water on 1 tablespoonful of finely chopped drug, raise to the boil and allow to stand) for loss of appetite, gastro-enteritis and bronchitis.
For the latter, inhalation with the infusion gives good results.