Ranunculus Species

(Most species of the genus Ranunculus, Ranunculaceae).

The picture is Ranunculusfcaria L.

Also Called: Lesser Celandine, Pilewort.

Description: Different species of this genus have showy flowers, generally yellow or white, rarely pink or red. Leaf shapes vary greatly from one species to another.

Parts Used: Almost always the fresh plants, seldom dried.

Constituents and Action: All species of Ranunculus contain the very irritant substance anemonol in varying amounts in the fresh leaves and stems; on drying it is converted to the less active anemonine. For this reason the dried plants are not poisonous. The irritant action is marked in the meadow buttercup (R. acris L.) and in the celery-leaved crowfoot (R. sceleratus L.). When the skin is rubbed with parts of the fresh plants a local ,eddening occurs which may ater form a blister.

Usage: Seldom used in medicine. At times as an irritant by rubbing on the skin for rheumatism. Internal administration is dangerous. Pilewort (R. ficaria) is astringent, the bruised herb mixed with lard is applied locally as a remedy for piles (cut the pilewort into small pieces, digest with 3 times its weight of melted lard for 24 hours nt 40 C (104 F), strain, press and stir until cold).