Oriental Pipewort

Botanical Overview

Oriental Pipewort (Eriocaulon sp) belongs to the Eriocaulaceae family. Limited but reliable traditional records indicate this plant has recognized medicinal applications in one or more healing traditions. This species belongs to the Eriocaulaceae family, a group of flowering plants.

Traditional Uses

Oriental Pipewort has been traditionally used for digestive health and pain and inflammation.

Digestive health.

  • Vermifuge

For digestive complaints, the herb is typically prepared as a tea or decoction taken before meals. The bitter compounds stimulate digestive secretions and improve nutrient absorption. Some traditions use the powdered root or leaves in small doses as a stomachic tonic.

Pain and inflammation.

  • Anodyne
  • Ache(Head)

For pain and inflammation, preparations are applied both topically as compresses and taken internally. A warm poultice draws blood to the area and promotes healing, while internal preparations address systemic inflammation.

Active Compounds

Phytochemical research has identified 9 compounds in this species, including a diverse array of phytochemical classes (see the Complete Chemical Inventory below for the full list).

ⓘ Information
Information on this page is compiled from Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases (USDA ARS), a public domain resource. Consult a healthcare professional before using any herbal preparation.

Complete Use Records

CategoryCultural Context
AnodyneChina
CephalgiaChina
HemicraniaChina
OpacityChina
SunstrokeChina
VermifugeChina
Ache(Head)China
EpistaxisChina

Complete Chemical Inventory

CompoundFormulaMW
ARSENICAs74.92159 Da
CALCIUMCa40.08 Da
COPPERCu63.55 Da
IRONFe55.84 Da
MAGNESIUMMg24.305 Da
MANGANESEMn54.93804 Da
POTASSIUMK39.0983 Da
SODIUMNa22.9897693 Da
ZINCZn65.4 Da

Data from PubChem (NIH/NLM, public domain).


References & Further Reading

External Research Links

Data Sources