• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Herbal Resource

Information on Medicinal Herbs & Functional Medicine

  • Home
  • Herbs List
  • Herbs by Health Condition
  • Latest Posts
  • Phytochemicals
  • Our Authors

What is Figwort used for?

September 19, 2021 by Herbal Resource Leave a Comment

Pin8
Share
Reddit
Flip
Share
Tweet
Share
8 Shares

Common figwort contains amino acids, flavonoids, phenolic acids (ferulic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, cinnamic acid), saponins, cardiac glycoside, phytosterols, essential fatty acids, and asparagine.

The scientific Genus name, Scrophularia, comes from the plant’s traditional use as a remedy for scrofula, a tuberculous infection of the lymph nodes in the neck.

This use was due to the resemblance of the bulbous shape of the plant’s rhizomes to swollen glands which is explained by “doctrine of signatures”, a philosophy shared by herbalists from the time of Galen (130 — 200 AD).

Common Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa)
Common Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa) – Illustration

This doctrine states that a herb that resembles a specific body part could also be used to treat ailments afflicting it.

In the Middle Ages, the herb was thought to be one of the best medicinal plants to treat swellings and tumors.

Common figwort is considered as a good diuretic and “blood cleansing” herb that also has mild laxative and analgesic properties and a stimulating effect on the liver, heart and blood circulation.

Today the herb is primarily used for its cleansing and detoxifying properties. It is believed to stimulate the lymphatic system, and is used externally for chronic skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis and also to treat itching and hemorrhoids.

Additionally, it is used for inflamed and swollen lymph glands and poor blood circulation.

In the treatment of skin disorders the herb is often used in combination with yellow dock (Rumex crispus).

The herb can be used as a gentle laxative to treat constipation. Common figwort contains the substance aucubin, an iridoid glycoside, which has a mild laxative effect and increases the renal excretion of uric acid.

The compounds harpagoside and harpagid found in the herb are thought to have the ability to soothe joint pain. The same compounds can be found in devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens).

Common figwort has sometimes been used traditionally as an [easyazon_link identifier=”B00N6M604O” locale=”US” tag=”herbal-resource-20″]herbal tea[/easyazon_link] to treat the common cold and is often mixed with purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), or peppermint (Mentha x piperita pipe).

There is some indication that common figwort could be effective against some types of cancers. Whether this is the case is too early to say and more research is needed to confirm this.

[Read more about Figwort…]

The following two tabs change content below.
  • Bio
  • Latest Posts

Herbal Resource

The Herbal Resource was created out of a passion for all natural health solutions and to inform on what nature can provide to heal. Staffed by a group of functional medicine advocates, scientists and natural health experts, we use science to support how natural can help bring health to people.

Latest posts by Herbal Resource (see all)

  • What is Gentian used for? - July 23, 2022
Pin8
Share
Reddit
Flip
Share
Tweet
Share
8 Shares

Filed Under: Herbs - General

About Herbal Resource

The Herbal Resource was created out of a passion for all natural health solutions and to inform on what nature can provide to heal. Staffed by a group of functional medicine advocates, scientists and natural health experts, we use science to support how natural can help bring health to people.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Newsletter Sign-up

Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your inbox weekly.

We respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously

Footer

  • Newsletters
  • Deals
  • Ethical Foraging – Do’s and Don’ts
  • Write for Us
  • Partner, Advertising & Commercial Relationships
  • Affiliate Agreement
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Categories

  • Functional Medicine
  • Grow Your Own Herbs
  • Herbs – General
  • Herbs – Scientific Evidence
  • Herbs for Specific Ailments
  • Medicinal Herb Profiles
  • Phytochemicals
  • Poisonous Plants
  • Sponsored Posts
  • Uncategorized

Follow

Subscribe to notifications

Contact Information

Email: herb@herbal-supplement-resource.com

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure Statement

The Herbal Resource is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program as well as with other affiliate partners.

An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to their products and services.

Looking for Something?

© Copyright 2018 The Herbal Resource · All Rights Reserved!