Peucedanum ostruthium
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643ff77bba1ff161973984 |
| Scientific name | Peucedanum ostruthium |
| Authority | W.D.J.Koch |
| First published in | Nova Acta Phys.-Med. Acad. Caes. Leop.-Carol. Nat. Cur. 12(1): 95 (1824) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Traditional preparations of Peucedanum ostruthium are well attested across the northern and central Apennines and the Alpine borderlands. In the Valtellina of Lombardy, folk healers macerate the fresh leaves in spring water for a short “monthly purge,” while a short decoction of the leaves is taken for colic and wind (according to Tammaro, 1985). In the Aosta Valley, herbalists steep the flowerheads in hot water to make a bitter tonic used after heavy meals and to improve appetite (according to Rossi, 1997). Across the Bavarian Alps and Tyrol, mountain people make a decoction of the roots for digestive complaints and sluggishness, and the same brew is applied externally as a wash on bruises or sprains (according to Bott, 1940). Recorded uses center on leaves and flowers for infusions, and roots for decoctions and macerations, with a few specific mentions of poultices.
A practical recipe: To make a mild root decoction, measure about 10 g of dried, chopped root into a small pan, add 500 mL cold water, bring to a gentle boil, and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain and sip 100–200 mL, once or twice daily after meals. Alternatively, a 1:5 ethanol tincture uses 20 g of chopped dried root macerated in 100 mL of 45% ethanol for 2 weeks with daily shaking; strain and take 2–4 mL once or twice daily. Avoid if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking anticoagulants; do not exceed typical folk doses and stop if heartburn or dizziness occurs.
The bitter aroma of the root is associated with coumarins such as ostruthin, imperatorin, and oxypeucedanin, along with the furanocoumarin bergapten. These coumarins plausibly account for the traditional actions on digestion and appetite, while the bitter taste may also contribute to gastric secretions.
Modern relevance: Extracts and isolated coumarins from Peucedanum ostruthium are still under study for anti‑inflammatory and enzyme‑inhibitory activity, and the herb remains available through specialty herbal shops in Germany, Switzerland, and northern Italy for both digestive teas and bitters.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Fresh leaves and young shoots harvested in early summer, used raw or cooked.
- Dried aerial parts marketed as an alpine herb seasoning.
- Rootstock, peeled and sliced, used fresh or dried and ground into a spice.
- Essential oil obtained by steam distillation; the oil is studied for composition but not yet widely commercialized.
Food and beverages (non‑medicinal):
The young leaves and tender shoots are eaten raw in salads or blanched and used as a leafy vegetable; they have a mild, parsley‑like flavor with a slight bitterness. The fleshy taproot, after peeling, is boiled, roasted or sautéed; its sweet‑nutty taste and firm texture make it suitable as a spice for soups, stews, game meats and rustic sauces. In Alpine regions the herb (both leaves and roots) has traditionally been added to a limited number of regional herbal liqueurs and bitters to impart an aromatic note, a practice recorded in local beverage manuals.
Properties relevant to use:
Chemical analyses report that the aerial parts contain an essential oil rich in α‑pinene, β‑pinene, limonene and sabinene, which together give the characteristic fresh, resinous aroma. The root is rich in starch (≈30 % of dry weight) and soluble pectins, providing body and a slight thickening effect when cooked. The foliage also contains flavonoids and coumarins that contribute a subtle bitterness, a feature prized in traditional alpine cuisine.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Peucedanum ostruthium grows naturally in sub‑alpine meadows of Central Europe. Wild collection is regulated in several Alpine countries and permits are required to avoid over‑harvesting. Small‑scale cultivation trials show that the species can be propagated from seed under cool, moist conditions, offering a potential alternative to wild harvest and supporting the long‑term supply of the herb for culinary markets.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Ostruthium officinale | Link | Handbuch 1: 360 (1829) |
| Selinum ostruthium | Wallr. | Annus Bot. : 41 (1815) |
| Selinum imperatoria | Crantz | Stirp. Austr. Fasc. 3: 42 (1767) |
| Angelica officinalis | Bernh. | Syst. Verz. Erf. : 170 (1800) |
| Angelica ostruthium | (L.) Lag. | Elench. Pl. : 2 (1816) |
| Imperatoria aromatica | Salisb. | Prodr. Stirp. Chap. Allerton : 167 (1796) |
| Imperatoria major | Lam. | Fl. Franç. 3: 417 (1779) |
| Imperatoria major | Gray | Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 2: 519 (1821 publ. 1822) |
| Imperatoria ostruthium | L. | Sp. Pl. : 259 (1753) |
| Imperatoria trilobata | Gilib. | Fl. Lit. Inch. 2: 34 (1782) |
| Imperatoria triternata | Viv. ex DC. | Prodr. 4: 183 (1830) |
| Peucedanum ostruthium var. triternatum | (Viv. ex DC.) Alef. | Landw. Fl. : 158 (1866) |
| Peucedanum ostruthium var. vulgare | Alef. | Landw. Fl. : 158 (1866) |
| Tommasinia verticillaris var. angustifolia | (Bellardi) Eichler | Index Seminum (B, Berolinensis) 1882: 20 (1882) |
| Peucedanum ostruthium prol. imperatoides | (Link) Rouy & E.G.Camus | Fl. France 7: 396 (1901) |
| Peucedanum ostruthium var. angustifolium | (Bellardi) Caruel | Fl. Ital. 8: 287 (1889) |
| Imperatoria ostruthium var. triternata | DC. | Prodr. 4: 183 (1830) |
| Imperatoria ostruthium var. angustifolia | (Bellardi) Leute | Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien 69: 78 (1966) |
| Peucedanum imperatoides | Link | Enum. Hort. Berol. Alt. 1: 269 (1822) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | masterwort |
| English | imperatoria ostruthium |
| Arabic | بقلة الإمبراطور |
| Arabic | جاوى |
| Arabic | بقلة الرئيس |
| Arabic | جاوى بري |
| Arabic | بخور الأكراد |
| Arabic | بوسيدان |
| Arabic | شمار الخنازير |
| Belarusian | дзікая пятрушка настуркавая |
| Czech | všedobr horský |
| Welsh | ffenigl-y-moch gwridog |
| German | meisterwurz |
| Esperanto | pufa peŭcedano |
| Persian | پوسدانوم استراثیوم |
| Finnish | rohtosuoputki |
| French | impératoire |
| Latvian | meistarsakne |
| mul | imperatoria ostruthium |
| Norwegian Bokmål | mesterrot |
| Norwegian Nynorsk | meisterrot |
| Polish | gorysz miarz |
| Russian | Горичник настурциевый |
| Swedish | mästerrot |
| Turkish | kral otu |
| Chinese | 紫前胡 |
| Chinese | 欧前胡 |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Europe click to expand
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Eastern Europe
- Central European Russia
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Middle Europe
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czechoslovakia
- Germany
- Poland
- Switzerland
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Northern Europe
- Denmark
- Great Britain
- Norway
- Sweden
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Southeastern Europe
- Italy
- Yugoslavia
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Southwestern Europe
- Corse
- France
- Spain
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Eastern Europe
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Northern America click to expand
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Eastern Canada
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
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Northeastern U.S.A.
- Michigan
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Maryland
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Eastern Canada
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000391825 |
| UNII | COD0P9B680 |
| Canadensys | 10086 |
| USDA Plants | PEOS2 |
| Tropicos | 1700185 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:846311-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2403688 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 435990 |
| Observations.org | 136958 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 52477 |
| NBN Atlas | NHMSYS0000461648 |
| Nature Serve | 2.139413 |
| IPNI | 846311-1 |
| iNaturalist | 166549 |
| GBIF | 3034230 |
| Freebase | /m/06_7dv |
| EPPO | PCDOS |
| USDA GRIN | 27463 |
| Wikipedia | Peucedanum_ostruthium |
| CMAUP | NPO6125 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Aryltetralin lignans | |||||
| (7S,8R,9R)-9-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-7,8-dimethylnaphtho(1,2-d)-1,3-dioxole | 442928 | Click to see | 324.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Branched fatty acids / Methyl-branched fatty acids | |||||
| 2,3-Dimethylacrylic acid, (Z)- | 643915 | Click to see CC=C(C)C(=O)O | 100.12 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Agarofurans | |||||
| (1S,2S,4S,5S,6S,7S,8S,9R,12R)-6-(hydroxymethyl)-2,10,10-trimethyl-11-oxatricyclo[7.2.1.01,6]dodecane-4,5,7,8,12-pentol | 162992540 | Click to see CC1CC(C(C2(C13C(C(C(C2O)O)C(O3)(C)C)O)CO)O)O | 318.36 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85329-5 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones | |||||
| 6-(3,7-Dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl)-7-hydroxychromen-2-one | 5357655 | Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCC1=C(C=C2C(=C1)C=CC(=O)O2)O)C)C | 298.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19092470335 https://doi.org/10.1002/JLAC.19324950112 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2003-38876 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02066241 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122331/ |
| Ostruthin | 5281420 | Click to see | 298.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2003-38876 https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19092470335 https://doi.org/10.1002/JLAC.19324950112 https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(86)90156-X https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02066241 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122331/ |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Sesquiterpene lactones / Germacranolides and derivatives | |||||
| 2-Propenoic acid, 2-(hydroxymethyl)-, (3aR,4S,6E,10Z,11aR)-2,3,3a,4,5,8,9,11a-octahydro-10-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methyl-3-methylene-2-oxocyclodeca[b]furan-4-yl ester | 5281490 | Click to see | 348.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| Taraxasterol | 115250 | Click to see | 426.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Taraxasterol Acetate | 13889352 | Click to see CC1C2C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CCC2(CCC1=C)C)C)C)(C)C)OC(=O)C)C | 468.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans / 1-benzopyrans / Chromones | |||||
| Peucenin | 68477 | Click to see | 260.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02066241 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Isobenzofurans | |||||
| (E)-3-Butylidene-4,5-dihydroisobenzofuran-1(3H)-one | 5877292 | Click to see | 190.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969639 |
| 3-N-Butyl-4,5-dihydrophthalide | 173843 | Click to see CCCCC1C2=C(C=CCC2)C(=O)O1 | 192.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969639 |
| 3-N-butyl-4,5-dihydrophthalide, (S)- | 3085257 | Click to see | 192.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969639 |
| Cnidilide | 160710 | Click to see | 194.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969639 |
| Ligustilide | 5319022 | Click to see | 190.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969639 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives | |||||
| Osthol | 10228 | Click to see | 244.28 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02066241 https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19092470335 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122331/ https://doi.org/10.1002/JLAC.19324950112 https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(86)90156-X |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Furanocoumarins / Psoralens | |||||
| (+)-Oxypeucedanin | 928465 | Click to see CC1(C(O1)COC2=C3C=CC(=O)OC3=CC4=C2C=CO4)C | 286.28 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02066241 https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19092470335 https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19082460604 |
| [(2R)-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-(7-oxofuro[3,2-g]chromen-4-yl)oxybutan-2-yl] (E)-2-methylbut-2-enoate | 87778077 | Click to see CC=C(C)C(=O)OC(COC1=C2C=CC(=O)OC2=CC3=C1C=CO3)C(C)(C)O | 386.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19092470335 |
| [(2R)-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-(7-oxofuro[3,2-g]chromen-4-yl)oxybutan-2-yl] 2-methylbut-2-enoate | 164711 | Click to see CC=C(C)C(=O)OC(COC1=C2C=CC(=O)OC2=CC3=C1C=CO3)C(C)(C)O | 386.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19092470335 |
| [(3R)-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-(7-oxofuro[3,2-g]chromen-4-yl)oxybutan-2-yl] acetate | 102247135 | Click to see CC(=O)OC(C)(C)C(COC1=C2C=CC(=O)OC2=CC3=C1C=CO3)O | 346.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)00176-8 |
| [3-Hydroxy-2-methyl-4-(7-oxofuro[3,2-g]chromen-4-yl)oxybutan-2-yl] acetate | 162940098 | Click to see | 346.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)00176-8 |
| [3-Hydroxy-3-methyl-1-(7-oxofuro[3,2-g]chromen-4-yl)oxybutan-2-yl] 2-methylbut-2-enoate | 73291529 | Click to see | 386.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02066241 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122331/ |
| 4-((3,3-Dimethyloxiran-2-Yl)Methoxy)Furo(3,2-G)Chromen-7-One | 160544 | Click to see | 286.28 | unknown |
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122331/ https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19092470335 https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19082460604 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02066241 |
| 4-(2,3-Dihydroxy-3-methylbutoxy)furo(3,2-g)chromen-7-one | 483513 | Click to see | 304.29 | unknown |
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122331/ https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02066241 |
| 4-[(2S)-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxybutoxy]furo[3,2-g]chromen-7-one | 162920202 | Click to see | 466.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)98671-0 |
| 4-[3-Hydroxy-3-methyl-2-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxybutoxy]furo[3,2-g]chromen-7-one | 162920201 | Click to see | 466.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)98671-0 |
| Imperatorin | 10212 | Click to see | 270.28 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1002/PTR.2650080303 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2003-38876 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122331/ |
| Isoimperatorin | 68081 | Click to see | 270.28 | unknown | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122331/ |
| Isooxypeucedanin | 625383 | Click to see | 286.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85329-5 |
| Ostruthol | 6441273 | Click to see | 386.40 | unknown |
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122331/ https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02066241 |
| Oxypeucedanin | 33306 | Click to see | 286.28 | unknown | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122331/ |
| Oxypeucedanin hydrate | 17536 | Click to see CC(C)(C(COC1=C2C=CC(=O)OC2=CC3=C1C=CO3)O)O | 304.29 | unknown |
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3122331/ https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02066241 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85329-5 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Hydroxycoumarins / 7-hydroxycoumarins | |||||
| (E)-4-(7-hydroxy-2-oxochromen-6-yl)-2-methylbut-2-enoic acid | 10106656 | Click to see | 260.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)00176-8 |
| 6-(3-Carboxybut-2-enyl)-7-hydroxycoumarin | 54488943 | Click to see | 260.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)00176-8 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones | |||||
| Eriodictyol | 440735 | Click to see C1C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C2C1=O)O)O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O | 288.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 8-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| 5,7,3',4'-Tetrahydroxy-8-methoxyflavone | 5316843 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C2=C1OC(=CC2=O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)O)O | 316.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |