Masterwort ((INSTALL))
Astrantia grows to be about 1 to 2 feet (31-61 cm.) tall. Astrantias come in a wide variety of colors. The flowers on the masterwort plant are unusual looking, as they are a group of tightly packed florets that are backed by petal-like bracts. This makes the flower look very much like a star or a firework. The leaves look a little bit like Italian parsley or carrots, which is not surprising as Astrantia are in the same family as carrots.
masterwort
The masterwort plant is suitable for USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 9 and is a perennial. It prefers to be planted in part shade to full shade. Astrantia grows best in moist soil with plenty of organic material.
To divide the plant, dig up a mature clump in either early spring or early fall. Use a spade and thrust the spade through the masterwort plant clump. Replant the two halves wherever you would like the plants to grow.
To grow Astrantia from seed, start them in the fall. Astrantia seeds need to be cold stratified in order to germinate. Do the cold stratification in the fall and once they are cold treated, you can plant them in soil and keep the soil warm. The older the seed, the longer it will take for them to germinate. Scarification of the seeds will also help to increase the number of masterwort seeds that germinate.
Muscle cramps.
Stomach disorders.
Digestion problems.
Diarrhea.
Swelling (inflammation) of the lining of the stomach and intestines.
Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of masterwort for these uses.
Masterwort is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth or applied to the skin. It can cause the skin to burn more easily in the sun. Wear protective clothing and sunblock outside, especially if you are light-skinned. Also, there are some chemicals in masterwort that can cause cancer.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light including sunlamp treatment for certain skin conditions such as psoriasis, use of tanning beds, or time in sunlight: Masterwort causes sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light. It could cause your skin to burn. Don't use masterwort if you are receiving UV light therapy. Also, stay out of the sun and avoid tanning beds if you are taking masterwort.
Some medications can increase sensitivity to sunlight. Masterwort might also increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Taking masterwort along with medication that increase sensitivity to sunlight could increase the chances of sunburn, blistering, or rashes on areas of skin exposed to sunlight. Be sure to wear sunblock and protective clothing when spending time in the sun.
The appropriate dose of masterwort depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for masterwort. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Peucedanum ostruthium (L.) Koch, commonly known as masterwort, has a longstanding history as herbal remedy in the Alpine region of Austria, where the roots and rhizomes are traditionally used to treat disorders of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract. Based on a significant NF-κB inhibitory activity of a P. ostruthium extract (PO-E), this study aimed to decipher those constituents contributing to the observed activity using a recently developed biochemometric approach named ELINA (Eliciting Nature's Activities). This -omics tool relies on a deconvolution of the multicomponent mixture, which was employed by generating microfractions with quantitative variances of constituents over several consecutive fractions. Using an optimized and single high-performance counter-current chromatographic (HPCCC) fractionation step 31 microfractions of PO-E were obtained. 1H NMR data and bioactivity data from three in vitro cell-based assays, i.e., an NF-ĸB reporter-gene assay and two NF-κB target-gene assays (addressing the endothelial adhesion molecules E-selectin and VCAM-1) were collected for all microfractions. Applying heterocovariance analyses (HetCA) and statistical total correlation spectroscopy (STOCSY), quantitative variances of 1H NMR signals of neighboring fractions and their bioactivities were correlated. This revealed distinct chemical features crucial for the observed activities. Complemented by LC-MS-CAD data this biochemometric approach differentiated between active and inactive constituents of the complex mixture, which was confirmed by NF-κB reporter-gene testing of the isolates. In this way, four furanocoumarins (imperatorin, ostruthol, saxalin, and 2'-O-acetyloxypeucedanin), one coumarin (ostruthin), and one chromone (peucenin) were identified as NF-κB inhibiting constituents of PO-E contributing to the observed NF-ĸB inhibitory activity. Additionally, this approach also enabled the disclose of synergistic effects of the PO-E metabolites imperatorin and peucenin. In sum, prior to any isolation an early identification of even minor active constituents, e.g. peucenin and saxalin, ELINA enables the targeted isolation of bioactive constituents and, thus, to effectively accelerate the NP-based drug discovery process.
Why is the astrantia or masterwort (Astrantia major and other species) so little known? It has everything it takes to please the home gardener: beautiful star-shaped flowers in an interesting range of colors, a long blooming period, attractive foliage, excellent cold hardiness, ease of cultivation, reasonable availability in nurseries, etc. But it remains little known to the average gardener. Only the most informed gardeners seem to appreciate it and use it.
PeucedanumostruthiumMasterwortMagickally, itis thought that carrying this root will give strength and protection,and that sprinkling it around will cause spirits to manifestthemselves.It represents courage and is said to strengthen the will and calm one'semotions, which is an interesting echo of some of its former medicinaluses in the US (against hysteria and delirium tremens). Angelica andmasterwort are similar, but they are two different plants. This magickherb has leaves similar to and a fragrant root that smells somewhatlike angelica andcontains some of the same chemicals, and this is no doubt where theconfusion comes in. You might even consider this a sort of masculine, Marsequivalent of the Venusangelica due to its ability to heat and its protective magickalproperties. This magick herb's root is hot and stimulating (it canraiseheart rate and blood pressure). Culpeper thought it the hottest of allroots, good against cold in the body and for provoking healthfulsweating.Weirdly enough, the root contains the same chemical as nutmeg,whichprobably accounts for its helpfulness as a digestive, and its essentialoil is a euphoric (!).
This native of southern andcentral Europe is a now neglectedplant but was once enormously popular. The Romans, who considered thisherb helpful for restoring vision and youth, introduced it to the restof Europe. It was being cultivated in Ireland in the 9th-10th centuriesand was a staple in European medicinal gardens of the Middle Ages--somuch so that it was referred to as "the divine remedy." In Scandinaviait is aningredient in spicy bitters and liqueurs and is considered to havemagickal properties. In the US it was mainly chewed for toothache andextracted as a digestive aid. The leaves were once cooked and used as acondiment. It is also madeinto a tea and drunk against migraine. It is still a homeopathicremedy. In the US, masterwort is considered a safe herb but is onlyapproved as a flavoring in alcoholic beverages; it flavors malt beer.It can cause a sun-sensitive reaction is the root isapplied to the skin, and it should not be used during pregnancy.This is a handsome and useful historical herb thatdeserves to make a comeback and be a part of the witch'sgarden. Also known as Common Masterwort,Imperatoria, Imperatoria ostruthium, and Selenium ostruthium. TopHowto grow Masterwort.The seed requires coldstratification to germinate. Wet a paper towel (with kelp solution isespecially helpful) and wring out, put seeds inthe towel and fold into a square, gently pressing the towel against theseeds. Place in a baggie and refrigerate for 3 months and then take outand sow the seeds as usual. Or just plant outside in fall to germinatein the spring. Transplant to full sun and moist soil. The sweet-scentedflowers appear on heavy stalks up to 4 ft/1.2m tall in late summer.Harvest the root in spring or autumn and dry. This plant is hardy tozone 5 (temperate), where winter temperatures don't go below -20F/-28C.Generalgrowing info Top
General Characteristics: Keep plant deadheaded for a longer bloom period. Well-drained but not dry soils. These will generally do well in full sun in the north, but do not like the heat and humidity of the deep south, even in part shade. They are quite capable of coping with bad weather: severe winter cold, long snow-covered periods and the heat, and sometimes dryness, of summer. Excellent, long-lasting cut flowers.Masterwort (sometimes also called great masterwort) is a clump-forming perennial which typically grows 2-3' tall. The flower is a domed umbel of greenish-white or pink florets supported by a showy ruff of papery, petal-like, greenish or pinkish-tinged rosette bracts which extend beyond the flower. Leaves are palmately cut into 3-7 (usually 5) toothed lobes. Leaves appear primarily in basal clumps, with smaller versions on the stems. Bracts usually remain attractive well after bloom.
Although there is no reported cultural significance of astrantia or masterwort flowers, they hold various meanings and symbolism. Generally, these blooms represent courage, strength, and protection. 041b061a72