Application
The tuberous root has traditionally been used for swollen glands and abscesses in the throat. This is because the root can resemble a neck with swollen glands or abscesses. It is an example of the doctrine of signatures, which was widely used in medieval medicine. The idea was that the appearance of the plant indicated what the plant could be used for. The plant's name scrofularia is related to the disease scrofula, which is a tuberculous inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck.
Externally, Tuberous Brown Root has been used for scabies, itching, ringworm and various inflammatory conditions. Tuberous Brown Root is still used by some herbalists for goiter, ulcers in the eyes, nose and face, swollen glands and joint pain.
Ingredients
Alkaloids of the digitalis-like type, fatty oil, resin, lecithin, cinnamic acid and butyric acid.
Scrophúlaria nodósa L.
Photo of page in Joachim Burser's herbarium.
