Sanicle

Part used:the fresh flowering herb and the basal leaves, collected during the flowering season and dried.

Commercially the herb may be mixed with leaves of Cardamine enneaphylos. In some areas, Astrantia major is labeled as sanicle and used accordingly in folk medicine.

Qualities:a bit astringent & bitter & pungent, cold, dry; calming, astringing, restoring, stimulating, stabilizing movement

Constituents:

Triterpene saponins (up to 13%); including among others, acyl-saniculosides A-D, aglycones including A1-barrigenol, R1-barrigenol, barringtogenol

Caffeic acid derivatives: rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid

Flavonoids: chief components rutin, isoquercitrin, astragalin

Ascorbic, malic, citric, oxalic acids, resin, essential oil, tannins, allantoin, saponin

Effects

The herb has a mild astringent and expectorant effect. It also reduces edema in animal experiments. The saponin complex has been shown to be antimicrobial and antifungal.

Uses

Approved by Commission E:

Cough/bronchitis

European Sanicle is used for mild inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

Homeopathic: The primary application of European Sanicle in homeopathy is for diarrhea.

Physio-Medical Therapeutics, Materia Medica and Pharmacy BY T. J. LYLE, A.M.M. 1897

The root is a mild, aromatic, diffusive, stimulating and relaxing agent. Hot infusions are moderately diaphoretic and nervine, and may be used for colds with feverishness, whetber of the bead or the respiratory organs; also in the fever stage of the eruptive diseases, especially in measles.

The herb is astringent and alterative. Given with other herbs in the treatment of blood disorders its effect will be highly esteemed. It is also a useful remedy in leucorrhoea, diarrhoea and dysentery

Prep/Dose

Commercial products include juice, tablets and compound preparations.

Average daily dose is 4 to 6 g.

This herb is virtually identical in its nature, functions and uses to Lady's Mantle, being used interchangeably with the latter in the past. The following differences should be noted, however;

Sanicle in addition has a stimulant expectorant effect useful in lung phlegm heat syndromes with respiratory infections, especially at the beginning stages
Unlike Lady's Mantle, Sanicle is not progesteronicor uterine stimulant