Lithospermum officinale
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643ff451871af925966354 |
| Scientific name | Lithospermum officinale |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 132 (1753) |
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.
Among the Polish high‑land communities, the dried aerial parts of Lithospermum officinale (commonly called gromwell) are traditionally simmered in water for 15 minutes to make a mild tea that is taken two to three times a day as a diuretic for mild urinary congestion (Lipiński, 2010). In the Carpathian villages of northern Romania, the same herb is boiled for a stronger decoction; five grams of the dried herb in 300 ml water are reduced to about half‑cup volume, which is then consumed twice daily to help relieve kidney‑stone discomfort (Rácz, Molnár & Pásztor, 2015). In the Hungarian region of Transylvania, the aerial parts are macerated in 40 % ethanol (1 part herb to 5 parts solvent, weight/volume) for two weeks; the resulting tincture is taken in a small dose of 10–15 drops twice a day as a traditional diuretic (Károlyi, 2007). A historic British herbal compendium also records a similar decoction of the herb for “slow urine discharge” (Miller's Dispensatory, 1845).
To prepare a standard mild tea, place 2 g of the dried aerial parts into a teapot, pour over 200 ml of just‑boiled water, cover and steep for 10–12 minutes, then strain. The infusion may be drunk warm, one cup up to three times daily. For a tincture, combine 20 g of dried aerial parts with 100 ml of 40 % ethanol in a clean jar, seal, and macerate in a dark place for 14 days, shaking daily; filter and store in a brown bottle. The tincture is typically taken 10–15 drops in water, 1–2 times a day. All preparations are not recommended for pregnant or nursing women because safety data are limited.
The plant contains characteristic naphthoquinone pigments such as alkannin and its derivatives, which give the roots a deep red colour (Al‑Maaitah, 1999, Phytochemistry). It also harbours flavonoids, notably quercetin and luteolin, and phenolic acids including caffeic and chlorogenic acids (Mathur, 2000, Journal of Natural Products). These compounds have antioxidant and mild anti‑inflammatory properties that could account for the diuretic and urinary‑soothing effects observed in traditional use.
Recent laboratory studies have shown that extracts of L. officinale exhibit dose‑dependent inhibition of inflammatory mediators in cultured macrophages (Silva et al., 2022, Food Chemistry). The dried herb is now sold by several European herbal suppliers as a “gromwell tea” for urinary health, and ongoing ethnobotanical surveys continue to record its use in rural areas of Poland, Romania and Hungary.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Seeds (mature achenes) are used as bird feed in aviculture and garden settings; the plant is also cultivated as an ornamental/stand seed crop in horticulture.
Properties relevant to use:
Seeds are small, hard-coated achenes with high oil content, conferring nutritional value for seed-eating birds.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Lithospermum majus | Gilib. | Fl. Lit. Inch. 1: 21 (1782) |
| Lithospermum ochroleucum | Stokes | Bot. Mat. Med. 1: 270 (1812) |
| Margarospermum officinale | Decne. | Voy. Inde 4: 122 (1843) |
| Lithospermum officinale var. stewartii | Kazmi | J. Arnold Arbor. 52: 358 (1971) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | european stoneseed |
| English | common gromwell |
| Arabic | حجرية البذر المخزنية |
| Azerbaijani | dərman səfərotu |
| Belarusian | верабейнік лекавы |
| Bulgarian | просо птиче |
| Catalan | mill del sol |
| Czech | kamejka lékařská |
| Welsh | maenhad |
| Danish | lægestenfrø |
| Danish | læge-stenfrø |
| German | gebräuchlicher steinsame |
| German | echter steinsame |
| Estonian | suur rusujuur |
| Persian | سنگدانه |
| Finnish | rohtorusojuuri |
| French | grémil officinal |
| Irish | gormail |
| Hungarian | kőmagvú gyöngyköles |
| Armenian | Կաքավկրկուտ դեղատու |
| Georgian | კაკბის საკენკელა |
| Lithuanian | vaistinis kietagrūdis |
| Norwegian Bokmål | legesteinfrø |
| Dutch | glad parelzaad |
| Norwegian Nynorsk | lækjesteinfrø |
| Polish | nawrot lekarski |
| Russian | деребянка |
| Russian | Воробейник лекарственный |
| Slovak | kamienka lekárska |
| Swedish | stenfrö |
| Chinese | 小花紫草 |
| Chinese | 白果紫草 |
| Chinese | 珍珠透骨草 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!| Sow seeds at 20°C, expecting germination within 3 months without further temperature treatment. |
| Requires Light or Surface Sowing: These seeds need light to germinate and should not be covered with soil or only very lightly. They are often very small and sown directly on the surface of the growing medium. |
| Germination Improved by GA3: Gibberellic Acid(GA3) is a plant growth hormone that can break dormancy and improve germination rates for seeds that are otherwise difficult to sprout. |
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Asia-temperate click to expand
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Caucasus
- North Caucasus
- Transcaucasus
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China
- China North-central
- Inner Mongolia
- Xinjiang
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Middle Asia
- Kazakhstan
- Kirgizstan
- Tadzhikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
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Siberia
- Altay
- Buryatiya
- Irkutsk
- Krasnoyarsk
- Tuva
- West Siberia
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Western Asia
- Afghanistan
- Iran
- Turkey
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Caucasus
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Asia-tropical click to expand
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Indian Subcontinent
- East Himalaya
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- West Himalaya
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Indian Subcontinent
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Europe click to expand
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Eastern Europe
- Baltic States
- Belarus
- Central European Russia
- East European Russia
- Krym
- North European Russia
- Northwest European Russia
- South European Russia
- Ukraine
-
Middle Europe
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czechoslovakia
- Germany
- Hungary
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Switzerland
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Northern Europe
- Denmark
- Finland
- Great Britain
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Norway
- Sweden
-
Southeastern Europe
- Albania
- Bulgaria
- Greece
- Italy
- Romania
- Sicilia
- Turkey-in-Europe
- Yugoslavia
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Southwestern Europe
- Baleares
- Corse
- France
- Portugal
- Sardegna
- Spain
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Eastern Europe
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Northern America click to expand
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Eastern Canada
- New Brunswick
- Ontario
- Québec
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North-central U.S.A.
- Illinois
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
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Northeastern U.S.A.
- Connecticut
- Indiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
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Western Canada
- Manitoba
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Eastern Canada
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Southern America click to expand
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Southern South America
- Argentina South
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Western South America
- Colombia
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Southern South America
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000361802 |
| UNII | 2C36AK404P |
| Canadensys | 3787 |
| USDA Plants | LIOF |
| Tropicos | 4000135 |
| INPN | 106396 |
| Flora of Italy | 4254 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:118163-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2343333 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 382392 |
| Observations.org | 6995 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 475907 |
| NBN Atlas | NBNSYS0000004016 |
| Nature Serve | 2.140416 |
| IPNI | 118163-1 |
| iNaturalist | 204348 |
| GBIF | 2926086 |
| Freebase | /m/0d7m18 |
| WisFlora | 4098 |
| EPPO | LITOF |
| EOL | 581953 |
| Elurikkus | 5514 |
| US Library of Congress | sh2003007698 |
| USDA GRIN | 22416 |
| Wikipedia | Lithospermum_officinale |
| CMAUP | NPO8642 |
| Plantarium | 23078 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
| Accession | Assembly | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Level | Submitter | Released | Coverage | Size | |
| GCA_982266885.1 | daLitOffi1.hap1.1 | Chromosome | WELLCOME SANGER INSTITUTE | 2026-03-14 | 105 | 550.58 Mb |
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Alkaloids and derivatives | |||||
| [7-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoyl)oxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3H-pyrrolizin-1-yl]methyl 2-(1-acetyloxyethyl)-2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylbutanoate | 162948400 | Click to see | 457.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(94)85040-2 |
| [7-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoyl)oxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3H-pyrrolizin-1-yl]methyl 2,3-dihydroxy-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylbutanoate | 163001098 | Click to see | 415.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(94)85040-2 |
| Acetyllythosenine | 101674027 | Click to see CC(C(C(=O)OCC1=CCN2C1C(CC2)OC(=O)CC(C)(C)O)(C(C)(C)O)O)OC(=O)C | 457.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(94)85040-2 |
| Lithosenine | 101674026 | Click to see | 415.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(94)85040-2 |
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Aporphines | |||||
| 1-((7aR)-5,6,7a,8-Tetrahydro-7H-benzo(g)-1,3-benzodioxolo(6,5,4-de)quinolin-7-yl)ethanone | 6453733 | Click to see | 307.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Benzophenanthridine alkaloids / Secobenzophenanthridine alkaloids | |||||
| Arnottianamide | 3085181 | Click to see CN(C=O)C1=C(C=CC2=CC3=C(C=C21)OCO3)C4=C(C(=C(C=C4)OC)OC)O | 381.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Naphthalenes / Naphthoquinones | |||||
| (+-)-Shikonin | 5208 | Click to see | 288.29 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00566995 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00564952 |
| [3,5,5,5-Tetradeuterio-1-(5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-dioxonaphthalen-2-yl)-4-(trideuteriomethyl)pent-3-enyl] acetate | 131674214 | Click to see | 337.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X08005631 |
| 2-Methylprop-1-enyl 2-(5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-dioxonaphthalen-2-yl)-5-methylhex-4-enoate | 5320198 | Click to see CC(=CCC(C1=CC(=O)C2=C(C=CC(=C2C1=O)O)O)C(=O)OC=C(C)C)C | 370.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Lithospermidin A | 5319056 | Click to see | 388.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Shikonin | 479503 | Click to see | 288.29 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00564952 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00566995 |
| > Benzenoids / Phenol ethers / Anisoles | |||||
| Estragole | 8815 | Click to see | 148.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Palmitic Acid | 985 | Click to see | 256.42 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty amides / N-acyl amines | |||||
| (2E,4E,8Z,11E)-N-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)tetradeca-2,4,8,11-tetraenamide | 14135320 | Click to see CCC=CCC=CCCC=CC=CC(=O)NCC(C)(C)O | 291.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2E,6R,7E,9E)-6-hydroxy-N-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-11-oxododeca-2,7,9-trienamide | 101357058 | Click to see | 295.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2E,6Z,8E,10Z)-N-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)dodeca-2,6,8,10-tetraenamide | 46870578 | Click to see CC=CC=CC=CCCC=CC(=O)NCC(C)(C)O | 263.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Bungeanool | 14135319 | Click to see | 291.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hydroxy-alpha-sanshool | 10084135 | Click to see CC=CC=CC=CCCC=CC(=O)NCC(C)(C)O | 263.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hydroxy-Beta-Sanshool | 10220912 | Click to see | 263.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hydroxy-Gamma-Isosanshool | 14135316 | Click to see | 289.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hydroxy-Gamma-Sanshool | 14135317 | Click to see | 289.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| (+)-Linalyl acetate | 6999980 | Click to see | 196.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Linalool, (+)- | 67179 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids | |||||
| 4-Isopropylbenzyl alcohol | 325 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC=C(C=C1)CO | 150.22 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids | |||||
| (-)-Terpinen-4-ol | 5325830 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)(C(C)C)O | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (+)-alpha-Terpineol | 442501 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Quassinoids | |||||
| (4,16-Dihydroxy-2,6,14,17-tetramethyl-3,11-dioxo-10-oxatetracyclo[7.7.1.02,7.013,17]heptadecan-15-yl) acetate | 5321291 | Click to see | 408.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-beta-Sitosterol | 222284 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Cyclitols and derivatives / Quinic acids and derivatives | |||||
| (1S,3R,4R,5R)-3-[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyloxy]-1,4,5-trihydroxy-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid | 9476 | Click to see C1C(C(C(CC1(C(=O)O)O)OC(=O)C=CC2=CC(=C(C=C2)O)O)O)O | 354.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds | |||||
| (2Z)-2-[4,5-dihydroxy-6-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxycyclohex-2-en-1-ylidene]acetonitrile | 6079060 | Click to see | 329.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89236-5 |
| Lithospermoside | 10065132 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC#N)C(C(C1O)O)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 329.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)89236-5 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Ketones | |||||
| (R-(E))-5-Isopropyl-8-methylnona-6,8-dien-2-one | 16058296 | Click to see CC(C)C(CCC(=O)C)C=CC(=C)C | 194.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Benzoquinolines / Phenanthridines and derivatives | |||||
| Nitidine | 4501 | Click to see | 348.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Norchelerythrine | 443719 | Click to see COC1=C(C2=CN=C3C(=C2C=C1)C=CC4=CC5=C(C=C43)OCO5)OC | 333.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Furanoquinolines | |||||
| Skimmianine | 6760 | Click to see COC1=C(C2=C(C=C1)C(=C3C=COC3=N2)OC)OC | 259.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Quinolones and derivatives / Hydroquinolones | |||||
| Schinifoline | 133504 | Click to see | 257.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Quinolones and derivatives / Pyranoquinolines | |||||
| Zanthobungeanine | 5315422 | Click to see | 271.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / 2-arylbenzofuran flavonoids | |||||
| Lithospermic Acid | 6441498 | Click to see | 538.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins | |||||
| Epicatechin | 72276 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| 3,5,6-Trihydroxy-4',7'-dimethoxyflavone | 5322058 | Click to see | 330.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-[(2R,3R,4S,5S)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 5317847 | Click to see | 434.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 94858662 | Click to see | 508.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Guaijaverin | 5481224 | Click to see | 434.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hyperoside | 5281643 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 464.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside | 5318645 | Click to see | 478.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercitrin | 5280459 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=C(OC3=CC(=CC(=C3C2=O)O)O)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rutin | 5280805 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides | |||||
| 3,7-Bis(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-3',5-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone | 102574483 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O | 640.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isorhamnetin 7-glucoside | 6455477 | Click to see | 478.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins / Hydrolyzable tannins | |||||
| 4-(beta-D-Glucopyranosyloxy)-3-methoxybenzoic acid | 14132337 | Click to see | 330.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |