Parts Most Frequently Used: Western – Stem, Leaf Eastern – Root.

Flavors/Temps: Salty, Sweet, Bitter, Acrid, Cold

Caution: Safe when used as directed. Large doses can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Not recommended for pregnant, nursing mothers, or children. Figwort is a heart stimulant, so if you have heart disease or irregular heart rate, be sure to consult your healthcare provider.

Key Constituents: Catechin, Thiamin, Quercitrin, Tannin, Palmitic acid, Silicic acid, Ursolic acid, Flavonoids (Including Apigenin, Glycosides, Kaempferol, Quercetin) Vitamin C and K, Triterpenes (Including Alpha-amyrin, Euscapic acid), Volatile oils

History/Folklore: The name, Scrophularia, comes from scrofula, a form of tuberculosis associated with an infection in the lymph nodes of the neck, that the herb is famous for treating. The common name, figwort, derives from its popular use for treating hemorrhoids, which was once called “figs.” According to the “Doctrine of Signatures” if an herb resembles a specific body part then the herb can be considered for treating that condition or body part. The resemblance of the bulbous shape of the plant’s rhizomes to swollen glands led to it being used to treat scrofula. It remains one of the best medicinal plants for treating swelling and tumors. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is called “The King Herb” for treating cancerous tumors.

The disease scrofula has been known since antiquity. Pulmonary tuberculosis alone accounts for most tuberculosis cases. Cervical tuberculosis is usually the result of an infection in the lymph nodes, known as lymphadenitis. Modern science has confirmed that today 95% of mycobacterial cervical infections in adults are caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Extrapulmonary scrofula is mostly observed in immunocompromised individuals. Traditionally, the herb scrofula has been a key herb for treating these types of conditions. The use of surgery has played an increasing role in today’s medical approach, however, this too is decreasing as a method of choice as it has been fraught with persistent disease and complications, placing the focus back on the herb as an important tool for treatment of these kinds of conditions.

The species S. aquatic (water figwort) and S. marylandica (American figwort) are used in the same way as S. nodosa (figwort, also called knotted figwort. Figwort(S. nodosa) is commonly found throughout England.) While similar in habitat, figwort differs from water figwort in the form of its roots and has more distinctly heart-shaped leaves than the water figwort.

Mainly used as a detoxifier, figwort is a good diuretic and blood-cleansing herb. It has mild laxative and analgesic (pain-suppressing) properties. It helps stimulate the liver and heart and improve blood circulation. In Iran, 60 species can be found, where it is used as a heart stimulant and diuretic. Figwort has also been used effectively to expel worms. Externally the herb can help speed the healing of burns, abscesses, wounds, skin eruptions, hemorrhoids, gangrene, ulcers, eczema, and psoriasis. Used to treat skin disorders the herb is often combined with yellow dock (Rumex crispus).

The constituents harpagoside and harpagid, found in figwort, are being studied for their ability to soothe joint pain. Whenever there is a buildup of toxins as in rheumatic conditions, lymphatic disorders, or skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis, figwort is considered for use in treatment.

Compresses soaked in an infusion of figwort can be used to treat eczema skin inflammations and fungal infections.

Figwort has been used as a substitute for the herb devil’s claw (harpagophytum) as the two herbs contain similar constituents.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the herb is dried-fried in salt to enhance the plant’s Yin-nourishing properties.

Good quality is big, thick, and hard with a thin skin and a black color. Typical dosing is 9-30 grams.