Botanical Index No. 911

Scarlet Pimpernel

anagallis arvensis

Medicinal Actions

Antidote, Antiseptic, Antiviral, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Estrogenic, Expectorant, Fungicide, Hemolytic, Herbicide, Hypotensive, Laxative, Narcotic, Nematicide, Oxytocic, Piscicide, Spermicide, Taenicide, Uterocontractant

Primary Conditions Treated

fish Hirudifuge Vulnerary Arthrosis Bleeding Bite Cancer Cerebrosis Constipation Depression Dermatosis Diphtheria Dropsy Dysmenorrhea Edema Epilepsy Fever Fungus Gonorrhea Gout Hemorrhoid Herpes Hepatosis High Blood Pressure Infection Itch Keratosis Leprosy Mania Mucososis Mycosis Nephrosis Ophthalmia Pain Polio Rabies Rheumatism Splenosis Sting Swelling Tapeworm Tuberculosis UTI VD Virus Wart Water Retention Worm

General Dosage

20 grains flower 4 ×/day for epilepsy; 15–60 grains powdered leaf; 1.8 g powdered herb 4 ×/day; for dropsy, hepatosis, and nephrosis, steep 1 tsp powdered herb/glass water 10 minutes and sip throughout the day.

Safety & Contraindications

Not covered. “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages”. Cucurbitacins could eventually generate GI problems or nephrosis. The aromatic oil, if taken internally, can cause headache and nausea. Of 22 plant extracts tested against Microsporium canis, pimpernel was most potent.

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