Oenanthe sarmentosa - Pacific water-parsley

Family: APIACEAE (Umbelliferae) - Carrot Family ^[E-flora]

"Oenanthe sarmentosa is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from Jun to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil." ^[PFAF]

Habitat / Range
"Wet streamsides, marshes, meadows and open forests in the lowland and montane zones; common in and W of the Coast-Cascade Mountains; N to AK and S to CA." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}

Origin Status: Native ^[E-flora]

Ecological Indicator Information
A shade-tolerant/intolerant. submontane to montane, Westem North American herb distributed more in the Pacific than the Cordilleran region. Occurs in cool mesothermal climates on wet to very wet, nitrogen-rich soils (Moder and Mull humus forms); its occurrence decreases with increasing latitude, elevation, and continentality. Occasional in forest understories on water-receiving sites with fluctuating groundwater table; common in non-forested, semi-terrestrial communities on water-collecting sites. Usually associated with Lysichitum americanum. A nitrophytic species characteristic of nutrient-rich wetlands." ^{[IPBC-E-flora]}

"Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus that contains a number of very poisonous plants and so some caution is advised. It is said to contain the alleged 'psychotroph' myristicine[218]." ^[PFAF]

"Oenanthe sarmentosa C. Presl ex DC., which is common on the West Coast from southwest Alaska and western British Columbia to central California, is not known to be toxic." ^{[HPIP Shih]}

"The Haisla of the west coast of British Columbia identified C. douglassi [Cicuta douglasii], O. horridus [Oplopanax horridus], L. dissectum [Lomatium dissectum], S. albus [Symphoricarpos albus], O. berteroi [Osmorhiza berteroi], V. viride [Veratrum viride], and Oenanthe sarmentosa (Water Parsley) as poisonous." ^{[David E Jones]}

Edible Uses

"Root - Cooked[2, 105]. A sweet farinaceous flesh, the root is highly esteemed in the areas where it is eaten[46, 161, 183]. A cream-like taste when boiled with a slight parsley flavour[183]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity." ^[PFAF]
Water Parsley, Oenanthe sarmentosa. The Water Parsley is found from British Columbia to central California. "The tubers form one of the dainty dishes of the Oregon Indians." Boiled like potatoes, they are sweet, starchy, with a slight flavor of parsley. Be certain that you have the right species.^[EWP]

"An aquatic tuber with black skin and starchy white flesh tasting of parsley. It was highly esteemed by the native peoples of the Pacific Northwest." ^{[Katz EFC]}

"Water Parsley, Oenanthe sarmentosa. The Water Parsley is found from British Columbia to central California. "The tubers form one of the dainty dishes of the Oregon Indians." Boiled like potatoes, they are sweet, starchy, with a slight flavor of parsley. Be certain that you have the right species." In season spring and summer. ^[EWP]

"Young stem - Raw or cooked[118, 257]." ^[PFAF] "Oenanthe sarmentosa Presl. Apio del eampo. Stems eaten raw or cooked. (1)" ^[Bocek] "According to Gunther (1973), the young, tender stems of water- parsley (Oenanthe sarmentosa) were eaten by some Western Washington peoples. However, other species of this genus are known to be toxic, and until its edibility is more certain, it should not be used." ^{[Turner, Kuhnlein]}

Other Uses

"Whistles can be made from the hollow stems[118, 257]." ^[PFAF]

Medicinal Uses

"The roots are emetic and purgative[257]. The roots have been crushed then swallowed by a pregnant woman in order to facilitate and speed up delivery [257]." ^[PFAF] The seeds and roots were used as an emetic (Hunt, 1922). ^{[Turner&Bell2]}

Nutritional Information

^{[Turner&Kuhnlein]}

Cultivation details

"Requires a moist or wet fertile soil in a sunny position. Plants have a weak straggling growth habit[60]." ^[PFAF]

Propagation

"Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer." ^[PFAF]

References

• [2] Personal Observation and notes.
• Bocek - Bocek, Barbara R. "Ethnobotany of costanoan Indians, California, based on collections by John P. Harrington." Economic Botany 38.2 (1984): 240-255.
• [E-flora] https://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Oenanthe%20sarmentosa,Accessed May 4, 2015; April 10, 2024
• [PFAF] Oenanthe sarmentosa Plants for a future, Accessed November 17, 2014; April 10, 2024

Oenanthe Sp.

"Perennial herb from clustered, fibrous-tuberous roots or rhizomes, glabrous. Stem: generally decumbent or ascending, proximal nodes generally rooting. Leaf: blade oblong to triangular-ovate, generally 1–3-pinnate, leaflets wide or narrow, generally serrate to pinnately lobed. Inflorescence: umbels compound; bracts generally 0 or inconspicuous; bractlets many; rays, pedicels many, spreading or spreading-ascending. Flower: outer bisexual or staminate, occasionally bilateral; outer calyx lobes acute, generally prominent, persistent and enlarging in fruit or not; petals wide, white, tips narrowed; styles persistent. Fruit: oblong-ovate to round, ± cylindric [± compressed front-to-back]; ribs low, obtuse, corky; oil tubes generally 1 per rib-interval. Seed: face flat.
± 30 species: North America, Eurasia, Africa. (Greek: wine flower) Oenanthe pimpinelloides record based on misidentified specimen." ^[Jepson] "A genus of ca. 40 species, herbs, of north temperate areas." ^{[Weakley FSMAS]}

Local Species;

1. Oenanthe sarmentosa - Pacific water-parsley ^[E-flora]

The species traditionally described as water hemlock belong to the Apiaceae family (an alternative family name permitted by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature is the historical name Umbelliferae). Species within this family are divided into the Cicuta and Oenanthe genera.
Cicuta spp. are also perennial plants that are all similar in morphology, they can grow up to a maximum of 2.5 m (Fig. 1) and contain fascicled tuberous roots with thickened rootstocks, from which the roots emerge.4 Their structure is a multichambered system (Fig. 2) and they contain a yellowish oily liquid, which turns reddish brown on exposure to air and emits a characteristic smell of raw parsnip.4,5 O. crocata lacks this chambered root6 and possesses five thickened tubers, commonly referred to as “dead man’s fingers” (Fig. 3). Like Cicuta spp., O. crocata also contains a yellow liquid within the root, which changes color upon exposure to air.6
Water hemlock plants are difficult to identify, especially when they are emerging from the ground (during spring), and are commonly mistaken for edible plants.7 They have been mistaken for pignut (Conopodium majus),6 sweet flag (Acorus calamus),8 watercress (Nasturtium spp.),9 wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa),10 wild carrot (Daucus carota),11 wild celery (Apium graveolens),12 wild ginseng (Panax quinquefolius),13 and kvanne (Angelica archangelica).14[TNS]

Hazards of Genus
Of the various Oenanthe spp., only O. crocata contains the principal toxin that causes the distinct neurological signs and symptoms described in this review. Such is its toxicity that it is commonly referred to as “dead man’s fingers”. [TNS]

"The toxic content within the plants may vary due to various factors such as seasonal variation, temperature, geographical location, and soil conditions. Thus, it is difficult to establish an association between the severity of symptoms and the ingestion of a specific amount of plant material. Ingestions of very small amounts of Oenanthe spp. may prove fatal" ^{[Schep et al.,2009]}

"The features of poisoning due to either Oenanthe spp. or Cicuta spp. are almost identical. Intoxication is characterized by severe, recurrent, and sometimes refractory generalized seizures, which are often accompanied by other features involving almost all organ systems. A summary of these features is presented in Table 3, which is limited to reports from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Patients who have minimal signs and symptoms may present in a semi- comatose and disorientated state, without the classical signs of seizures.40" ^{[Schep et al.,2009]}

"The onset of features following ingestion has ranged from 15 min11,15,41 to 10 h,42 though almost all reports document that symptoms begin within the first hour of exposure. Initial features reported include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, weakness, dizziness, and drowsiness6,11,12,14,15,17,18,20,23,40,43–45; however, some reports describe the rapid onset of seizures and coma as the first indication of intoxication.9,10,13,18,21,22,24,42,46–48" ^{[Schep et al.,2009]}

O.crocata & O.aquatica
"Toxic Part: The whole plant is poisonous, but most intoxications have involved ingestion of the roots, which have been described as having a pleasant taste." ^{[HPIP Shih]}
"Toxin: Oenanthotoxin, an unsaturated aliphatic compound, similar to cicutoxin. Clinical Findings: Onset of symptoms is rapid, usually within 1 hour of ingestion; symptoms include nausea, vomiting, salivation, and trismus. Generalized seizures also may occur. Death may occur if seizures do not terminate." ^{[HPIP Shih]}

Uses of Related Sp

Oenanthe javanica - Minari

" Oenanthe javanica A.P. de Candolle, Water Celery, Water Parsley, Java Dropwort, Seri. Pd (VA), Mt (GA): edge of swamp forests, ditches; rare (but seemingly with the ability to spread rapidly), native of Asia. July-August." ^{[Weakley FSMAS]}

"Water dropwort (O. javanica) is a celery-like herb found in shallow tropical waters in northern Queensland, and also extends as far north as Japan where young tips are commercially harvested and eaten in winter. It is easily propagated by division." ^{[Romanowski PWAD]}

"It is the whole herb of Oenanthe javanica (BI.) DC. (Umbelliferae). Effect. Removing heat and enhancing diuresis. Indication. Dire thirst, jaundice, edema, stranguria, leukorrhagia, scrofula, mumps,etc." ^{[Xinrong TCM]}

• Food Use: Wild edible plants gathered and consumed in Ulleung Island, South Korea - Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC. - "Parboil shoots and season with condiments" ^[ong2015]
• Oenanthe cf. javanica - "Plant eaten to help overcome leg weakness." ^{[anderson1986]} "Two edible wild plant farmers in Noto Peninsula were interviewed. Mr. Shirasaka from Katsuradani Village started to cultivate around 0.3 ha of warabi (Pteridium aquilinum) and seri (Oenanthe javanica) round 10 yrs ago." ^{[Chen et al.]} Leaves fried and consumed in Baidi village, China^{[Geng et al.,2016]}
• "The Akha [Burma] live on the same mountain as do the Lahu Na and, like them, supplement their diet with foods from the forest. They will dig up the enlarged roots of the wild yam, especially when their rice supply is low or exhausted. They will also dig and eat the roots of Oenanthe javanica, Houttuynia cordata (the leaves are also edible), Chlorophytum orchidastrum (as well as the leaves), and Monochoria vaginalis." ^{[PPGT Anderson]}
• ""Water celery," "water dropwort," or Vietnamese parsley," Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC. (= O. stolonifera Wall.) is a popular Asian flavoring herb which much  resembles celery and is considered by many to be extremely delicious. In Japan, by tradition, this plant and six other herbs are boiled in rice gruel on January 7th  (Tanaka 1976)." ^{[Small CH]} 
• Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC. - "Roots are esteemed for cooking" ^[EMNMPV.9]
• leaves, stems and shoots used for food ^{[Watson BFPH]}
• Medicinal Use: Whole Plant - Plant extract is used in mild fever ^{[Qayum et al.,2016]}
• Oenanthe javanica - Used in India for "influenza, fever and discomfort, jaundice, haematuria and metrorrhagia" ^{[Peter BUHC]}

Active extracts/isolated phytocompounds: Isorhamnetin. Active against mutagen AFB1 ^[ModPhyt]

Oenanthe crocata - Water Dropwort

"This perennial grows to 5 feet. Its bundle of spindle-shaped roots (dead men’s fingers) contains white latex, which turns orange on exposure to air. The stem is hollow and much branched. The leaves are pinnately compound,and white flowers form in termi- nal umbels." ^{[HPIP Shih]}

"Oenanthe crocata is a European plant and has been introduced acciden- tally into marshy areas sur- rounding Washington, DC." ^{[HPIP Shih]}

Oenanthe crocata: This perennial grows to 5 feet. Its bundle of spindle-shaped roots (dead men’s fingers) contains white latex, which turns orange on exposure to air. The stem is hollow and much branched. The leaves are pinnately compound,and white flowers form in terminal umbels.^{[HPIP Shih]}

"Cicuta spp. are also perennial plants that are all similar in morphology, they can grow up to a maximum of 2.5 m (Fig. 1) and contain fascicled tuberous roots with thickened rootstocks, from which the roots emerge.⁴ Their structure is a multichambered system (Fig. 2) and they contain a yellowish oily liquid, which turns reddish brown on exposure to air and emits a characteristic smell of raw parsnip.^4,5 O. crocata lacks this chambered root⁶ and possesses five thickened tubers, commonly referred to as “dead man’s fingers” (Fig. 3). Like Cicuta spp., O. crocata also contains a yellow liquid within the root, which changes color upon exposure to air.⁶" ^{[Schep et al.,2009]}

Medicinal Parts: "The medicinal part is the rhizome." ^[PDR]
"PREPARATIONS—Specific Oenanthe. Dose, one-twentieth to one-half minim. Administration—The profound influence of this agent upon the nerve centers is quickly observed. It must be given in minute doses. Five drops of the specific medicine in three, four or even six ounces of water will be found sufficient. Fluid extracts or ordinary tinctures are not to be prescribed, because of uncertain strength." ^[Ellingwood]
Hazards: "Use of the drug can no longer be recommended because of its severe toxicity, due to the oenanthotoxin content." ^[PDR]

"The 17th century Swiss pathologist, Johann Jakob Wepfer, reported the first cases of Cicuta toxicity in his book Cicutae Aquaticae Historia Et Noxae Commentario Illustrata.1 In 1814, Stockbridge reported the first three cases in the United States. In 1876, Boehm isolated a toxic substance from the European species of hemlock water dropwort, Oenanthe crocata, which he named oenanthotoxin. In 1949, Clark et al purified oenanthotoxin,2 and Anet et al identified oenanthotoxin as the highly unsaturated higher alcohol, trans-heptadeca-2:8:10-triene-4:6-diene-1:14-diol in 1953.3 The hemlock water dropwort (O. crocata) probably is the most poisonous indigenous plant in the United Kingdom, and ingestion of the roots from this plant caused death in 9 of 13 reported cases since 1900.4 Beside amatoxins, cicutoxin is the most lethal plant toxin in North America. Cicuta toxicity is one of the best described serious plant poisonings in the American literature. Between 1900 and 1975, Starrevekl and Hope identified 83 cases of Cicuta poisoning with an overall mortality rate of 30%.5" ^{[Barceloux MTNS]}

"Cicutoxin, as isolated from C. virosa, is structurally similar to oenanthotoxin with exception that cicutoxin has the triene substitutions in the C8, C10, and C12 positions and an opposite configuration at C14.3 Figure 138.1 displays the chemical structure of cicutoxin and oenanthotoxin. Oenanthetol (C 14-deoxyoenanthotoxin) and oenanthetone (C14-ketone of C14-deoxyoenantho- toxin) are also major constituents of O. crocata, but these compounds possess relatively mild toxicity.8 In mice, oenanthotoxin is more toxic than cicutoxin, but the clinical syndrome is similar. Seasonal variation in toxin content is a more important variable of toxicity than relative potency.
Case reports suggest that cooking does not destroy these toxins.9" " ^{[Barceloux MTNS]}

"Although toxins occur throughout the plant, the root is the most toxic portion of these plants.... Most poisonings occur in the spring when roots contain the highest concentration of oenanthotoxin.3 " ^{[Barceloux MTNS]}

Dermal Absorption: "Although most cases involve ingestion, a case report suggests the possibility that dermal absorption of the toxin occurs following direct contact with the juice from plant parts. In 1911, Egdahl reported two deaths from the use of Cicuta extracts as a topical antipruritic agent.9 However, the report lacked descriptive and laboratory data, and there are no other clinical or experimental data to determine the extent of dermal absorption of toxins in water hemlock." ^{[Barceloux MTNS]}

"No specific antidotes are available. In animal studies, anticholinergic agents do not alleviate seizures or the cholinergic effects of Cicuta toxicity. 29" ^{[Barceloux MTNS]}

"Responsible for many poisonings (PNC). Early symptoms include burning sensations, chills, debility, dizziness, dysphonia, twitching, colonic spasms, unconsciousness, and death (PH2). As little as five drops in a tincture can cause serious headache (FEL). 650 g root can kill a cow and horse, 2 g a guinea pig (HH2)." ^{[HMH Duke]}

"There are numerous reports scattered throughout the medico-botanical literature of people mistaking the extremely poisonous Oenanthe crocata for wild celery or parsnips and dying within just an hour or two. In the west of the British Isles, where it is common, the local country people would normally have learned from childhood to leave it strictly alone; the fatalities have typically been of incomers unaware of the plant’s identity and danger—for example, a group of French prisoners of war on parole in Pembrokeshire.73 The poison resides in the dark, viscous resin and may act on the heart and nervous system simultaneously." ^[MPFT]
Unexpectedly, despite the seemingly total avoidance of deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), both Oenanthe crocata and the true hemlock (Conium maculatum) have been utilised in folk medicine, though presumably always with great caution and for external application only. Of the sole two records traced of the use of O. crocata outside Ireland, however, one dates from as far back as the early eighteenth century, when under the name ‘five-fingered root’ the plant is said to have been extensively employed for poulticing the severer kinds of ‘felons’.74 The other is from the Isle of Man, where it has been prized, apparently down to a more recent period, as a treatment for skin cancers.75
That Manx use has found fuller expression in Ireland, where only a plant of such virulence has apparently been rated an effective-enough weapon to deploy against tumours. As late as the 1840s it was still frequently used for those in Cork and other southern counties,76 and if those were the ‘external swellings’ known under the name ‘tahow’, in Londonderry also.77 The ‘water parsnip’ and ‘water hemlock’ reported more recently to have been applied in Ireland to scrofulous swellings in the neck78 sound like this plant, too. It is probably also the ‘water parsnip’ that has been reckoned to cure boils in Cork.79" ^[MPFT]

"Therapy—The agent acquired a reputation in the treatment of epilepsy. It has cured a few violent cases and very many cases of petit mal. Fisk reported five cases cured, and other trustworthy investigators have had similar results. It is indicated in those cases which, instead of fullness of the capillary vessels of the brain and spinal cord, there is anemia of these organs more or less marked. This distinction was made by Henning, and is an important one." ^[Ellingwood]

"It has proved of value in cases where epilepsy has resulted from injury, in cases where there is an impairment of the brain structure and imperfect cerebral circulation with impairment of the nutrition of the brain." ^[Ellingwood]

"It has not increased in reputation, nor has our knowledge of its action increased greatly during the past fifteen years. It deserves a closer investigation." ^[Ellingwood]

Activites

"Activities (Water Dropwort) — Cardiotoxic (f; PH2); Emmenagogue (f; MAD); Litholytic (f; MAD); Narcotic (f; JLH); Poison (1; USA); Toxic (1; EFS)." ^{[HMH Duke]}

"Quite recently, the essential oils of Ridolfia segetum and Oenanthe crocata have been assayed for inhibition of two enzyme-associated activities of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT): RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (RdDP) activity and ribonuclease H (RNase H) activity. R. segetum is a traditionally Mediterranean medicinal plant used, for instance, to regulate women’s menstrual periods and to prevent respiratory tract infections. In biochemical assays, both essential oils inhibited HIV-1 RT RdDP activity in a dose-dependent manner, while they were inactive against RNase H activity (Bicchi et al. 2009)." ^{[Rai MPBD]}

"Oenanthe crocata Linnaeus hemlock water-dropwort south-western Europe, Morocco There are numerous reports scattered throughout the medico-botanical liter- ature of people mistaking the extremely poisonous Oenanthe crocata for wild celery or parsnips and dying within just an hour or two. In the west of the British Isles, where it is common, the local country people would normally have learned from childhood to leave it strictly alone; the fatalities have typi- cally been of incomers unaware of the plant’s identity and danger—for ex- ample, a group of French prisoners of war on parole in Pembrokeshire.73 The poison resides in the dark, viscous resin and may act on the heart and nervous system simultaneously.
Unexpectedly, despite the seemingly total avoidance of deadly night- shade (Atropa belladonna), both Oenanthe crocata and the true hemlock (Conium maculatum) have been utilised in folk medi- cine, though presumably always with great caution and for ex- ternal application only. Of the sole two records traced of the use of O. crocata outside Ireland, however, one dates from as far back as the early eighteenth century, when under the name ‘five-fingered root’ the plant is said to have been exten- sively employed for poulticing the severer kinds of ‘felons’.74 The other is from the Isle of Man, where it has been prized, apparently down to a more recent period,as a treatment for skin cancers.75
That Manx use has found fuller expression in Ireland, where only a plant of such virulence has apparently been rated an effective-enough weapon to deploy against tumours. As late as the 1840s it was still frequently used for those in Cork and other southern counties,76 and if those were the ‘external swellings’ known under the name ‘tahow’, in Londonderry also.77 The ‘water parsnip’ and ‘water hemlock’ reported more recently to have been applied in Ireland to scrofulous swellings in the neck78 sound like this plant, too. It is probably also the‘water parsnip’that has been reckoned to cure boils in Cork.79" ^[MPFT]

"Onanthe. O. crocata L. Water Hemlock. Water Dropwort. Dead Tongue.—A perennial, umbelliferous, aquatic, European plant, exceedingly poisonous both to man 'and inferior animals. The root, which has a sweetish not unpleasant taste, is sometimes eaten by mistake for other roots, often with fatal results. The symptoms produced are those of irritation of the stomach, besides failure of circulation, and great cerebral disturbance, indicated by giddiness, convulsions, and coma. (See P. J., 1874, 202.) Externally applied, the root produces redness and irritation of the skin, with an eruption. It is said to be sometimes used empirically as a local remedy in piles. Other species of Œnanthe are poisonous, and the whole genus should be suspected. We have two or three indigenous species. In cases of poisoning, the stomach should be at once evacuated, and symptoms met as they arise. A peculiar resinoid principle, denominated cenanthin, has been found by Gerding in Œnanthe fistulosa L., the common water hemlock of Europe, of which half a grain (0.032 Gm.), given to an adult, produced long-continued irritation of the fauces, and a grain (0.065 Gm.), occasional vomiting. (See A. J. P., xxi, 68.) Poehl (A. E. P. P., 1885, xxxiv, p. 258) claimed to have isolated a toxic principle, to which he gave the name of oenanthotoxin, and assigned a formula of C17H22O5. Tutin, however (P. J., Aug. 26, 1911), asserts that this body is not a pure principle but a mixture of neutral resins of unknown nature. He confirms the conclusions that the resin is an active poison. He also examined the tuberous roots of O. crocata and found triacontane, C30H62, and hentriacontane, C31H64. In the P. J., vol. xvi, 357, is a paper by Henry William Jones upon the recognition of O. crocata in cases of suspected cattle poisoning; he found that the starch granules possessed characters which enabled him to distinguish the tubers from all others." ^{[Remington USD20]}

Oenanthe aquatica: Fineleaf Water Dropwort, Water-Fennel

"A perennial plant that has floating or prostrate stems, with multiple compound, fernlike leaves, and terminal umbels of white flowers." ^{[HPIP Shih]}

"Oenanthe aquatica is native to Eurasia, and the plant is known from Washington, DC, Ohio, and elsewhere." ^{[HPIP Shih]}

"WATER DROPWORT Oenanthe aquatica, L., Poir., Family Apiaceae, grows in ponds and small lakes in Europe. The flowers are the most poisonous, followed by root, fruit and stem. Phellandrene, which has an abor- tive action, gives first a stimulating effect and then inhibition of respiration. Oenanthin provokes vomiting and oenanthotoxin is a poison that gives epilepsy-like convulsions." ^{[Sandberg NR]}

Habitat/Range: A perennial plant that has floating or prostrate stems, with multiple compound, fernlike leaves, and terminal umbels of white flowers.[HPIP Shih]
Oenanthe aquatica is native to Eurasia, and the plant is known from from Washington, DC, Ohio, and elsewhere. ^{[HPIP Shih]} "Found near ponds and ditches in both the U.S. and J Europe." ^[PDR]

Medicinal Parts: "The medicinal parts of the plant are the ripe seeds." ^[PDR]

Compounds
Volatile oil (1-2.5%): including among others (+)-betaphellandrene, dillapiol. myristicin, l-nonen-3-ol (androle), volatile polyynes, undecen-4-ole, camphene, isopropyl cyclohexene-2-olePolyynes: including among others all-trans-pentadeca- 2,8,10-trien-4,6-diin-12-on Fatty oil (20%)
" ^[PDR]
"Lignans: including arctigenin. matairesinol, dimethyl matairesinol, secoisolariciresinol" ^[PDR]

Effects

The drug's expectorant and antitussive effects are probably due to the essential oil. The active agents are the essential and fatty oil, resin, wax. galacton, and mannan and rubber substances. There is no further information available." ^[PDR]

Unproven Uses: "Water Fennel is used in folk medicine as an expectorant and for the relief of coughs due to inflammation of the bronchial mucus membranes or asthma and suppurating or festering inflammation of the lungs, as well as a diuretic and carminative." ^[PDR]

Homeopathic Uses: "Inflammation of the respiratory tract and breast pain in nursing mothers are considered indications for use in homeopathy." ^[PDR]

Dosage
"Mode of Administration: Ground, as an extract and as a tea. Preparation: A tincture is prepared using the drug in a 1:5 ratio with 70% ethanol (m/m)
Daily Dosage: The recommended daily dose is 4 to 5 g drug. Homeopathic Dosage: Adult dosage is 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every 30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic); from D4 parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc i.v., i.m. acute, 3 times daily; chronic: once a day. Children up to 6 years are given half the dose, children up to 12 are given a maximum of two-thirds the adult dosage (HAB1)." ^[PDR]

Activities: "Activities (Water Fennel) — Alterative (f; CRC; FEL; PNC); Antitussive (1; PH2); Carminative (f; CRC; EFS; PH2); Diaphoretic (f; CRC); Digestive (f; CRC); Diuretic (f; CRC; FEL; PH2); Emmenagogue (f; CRC); Expectorant (1; CRC; PHR; PH2); Intoxicant (f; CRC); Narcotic (f; CRC; FEL); Poison (f; CRC); Stimulant (f; FEL)." ^{[HMH Duke]}

Synonyms: "Oenanthe phellandrium Lam." ^{[HMH Duke]}

"Indications (Water Fennel) — Asthma (f; CRC; FEL; HH2; PHR; PH2); Bronchosis (f; CRC; PH2); Cancer (f; CRC); Cancer, breast (f; JLH); Catarrh (f; CRC; FEL; PHR); Cough (1; PHR; PH2); Cramp (f; HHB); Cystosis (f; CRC); Dyspepsia (f; CRC; FEL); Fever (f; CRC; FEL); Gas (f; CRC; EFS; PH2); Hemoptysis (f; FEL); Hemorrhoid (f; CRC); Inflammation (f; PHR; PH2); Laryngosis (f; CRC; FEL); Malaria (f; CRC); Mastosis (f; PH2); Mucososis (f; PH2); Pulmonosis (f; PHR; PH2); Scirrhus (f; JLH); Sore (f; CRC; FEL); Tuberculosis (f; CRC; EFS; FEL); Ulcer (f; CRC); Water Retention (f; CRC; FEL; PH2)." ^{[HMH Duke]}

"Dosages (Water Fennel) — 4–5 grains seeds every hour or two to a cautious 8–10 grains (FEL); 4–5 g powdered fruit (HH2); tincture 1:5 seed/70% ethanol (PH2)." ^{[HMH Duke]}

"Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Water Fennel) — Not covered (AHP). None with proper dosage (PHR; PH2)." ^{[HMH Duke]}

"Onanthe aquatica Lam. (Onanthe Phellandrium Lam., Phellandrium aquaticum L.) Fine-leaved Water Hemlock. Water Fennel. Fructus Phellandrii. Wasserfenchel, G. Phellandrie aquatique, Fenouil d'Eau, Fr.—A biennial or perennial, umbelliferous, European water plant, the fresh leaves of which are said to be injurious to cattle, producing a kind of paralysis when eaten. By drying, they lose their deleterious properties. The seeds are from 4 to 5 mm. in length (about 2 mm. broad), ovate- oblong, narrow above, somewhat compressed, marked with ten delicate ribs, and crowned with the remains of the calyx, and with the erect or reverted styles. Their color is yellowish-brown; their odor peculiar, strong, and disagreeable; their taste acrid and aromatic. Among their constituents is a volatile oil, upon which their aromatic flavor depends. By C. Fronefield it has been rendered probable that they contain a volatile alkaloid, analogous to coniine, if it be not coniine itself, for if the powdered seeds are rubbed with solution of potassium hydroxide, the peculiar mouse-like odor of that alkaloid is exhaled. The powder was submitted to distillation with potassium hydroxide, the alkaline liquid obtained was neutralized with sulphuric acid and evaporated to a syrupy consistence, alcohol was added to precipitate the ammonium sulphate, the liquid was then filtered, treated with potassium hydroxide, and again distilled. On the surface of the distillate a yellow oily fluid floated, which was only slightly soluble in water but readily so in ether and alcohol, evinced an alkaline reaction with turmeric paper, and neutralized the acids. (A. J. P., May, 1860, 211.) The ethereal oil of water fennel which is present to the extent of 1 to 2.5 per cent. is a yellow liquid of strong, pleasant characteristic odor and burning taste. It has a sp. gr. of 0.85-0.89 and is dextrorotatory. It contains about 80 per cent. of the terpene phellandrene, O10H16. In overdoses the seeds produce vertigo, intoxication, and other narcotic effects. They have been uaed in chronic pectoral affections, such as bronchitis, pulmonary consumption, and asthma; also in dyspepsia, intermittent fever, obstinate ulcers, etc. The dose of the seeds, to commence with, is five or six grains (0.32-0.4 Gm.), so repeated as to amount to a drachm (3.9 Gm.) in twenty-four hours. They should be given in powder. Dose, of the alcoholic extract, three grains (0.2 Gm.). (P. J., xii, 591.)" ^{[Remington USD20]}

Oenanthe fistulosa - Tubular water-dropwort

Habitat/Range:"Europe, south-western Asia, north-western Africa"

Medicinal Use "An infusion of the plant known to the informant as ‘water fennel’ has been recorded from Wicklow as a treatment for rheumatism.72 That strictly speaking is the book name of the related species Oenanthe fluviatilis (Babington). Coleman, which is, however, very rare in the county in question, where O. fistulosa on the other hand is locally common." ^[MPFT]

Use of Various Other Species

Oenanthe apiifolia Brot. - Water Dropwort - " In France, starch of root is recommended for extending bread flour, after removal of toxic element" ^[EMNMPV.9]

"Oenanthe aquatica; (3) apiaceae; (4) U.S., Eu- rope, Italy; (5) alterative, diuretic, expectorant; (6) asthma, cancer, catarrh, laryngitis, tumor (breast)" ^{[CRC Eth]}

"Oenanthe fistulosa Linnaeus tubular water-dropwort Europe, south-western Asia, north-western Africa An infusion of the plant known to the informant as ‘water fennel’ has been recorded from Wicklow as a treatment for rheumatism.72 That strictly speak- ing is the book name of the related species Oenanthe fluviatilis (Babington)" ^[MPFT]

Oenanthe lachenalii - Occurrence and endangerment status: "Only on the coast of Northern Germany; eastern limit at the Szczecin Lagoon; critically endangered in Germany. Cause of endangerment: site changes due to melioration" ^{[Zerbe RE]}

"Oenanthe peucedanifolia Pollich. Umbelliferae. WILD PARSLEY. Europe and adjoining Asia. The roots have occasionally been eaten." ^{[Sturtevant EPW]}

"Oenanthe phellandrium; (3) apiaceae; (4) Ger- many, Italy, Russia, Turkey; (5) alterative, carmi- native, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant; (6) cancer" ^{[CRC Eth]}

"Others such as Oenanthe pimpinelloides L. (Umbelliferae, Greek Sgarantsi, Armenian Dshenshajik) are a more popular food in the Eastern Mediterranean." ^{[Heinrich LMFPN]} Oenanthe pimpinelloides - Meadow parsley - " Roots are prized as food in certain areas in Europe" ^[EMNMPV.9]

Oenanthe sarmentosa - emetic, laxative; ^{[CRC Eth]}

Journals of Interest

• Bonsignore, L., Casu, L., Loy, G. et al. (2004) Analysis of the essential oil of Oenanthe crocata L. and its biological activity. J. Essent. Oil Res., 16, 266–269.
• Choi DJ, Kim CB, Lee SH, Yoon JT, Choi BS, Kim HK. Effects of precooling and packaging film materials on quality of water dropwort (Oenanthe stolonifera DC.) at low temperature storage. J. Korean Soc. Hort. Sci. 41: 379-382 (2000)

References

1. anderson1986 - Anderson, Edward F. "Ethnobotany of hill tribes of northern Thailand. I. Medicinal plants of Akha." Economic Botany 40.1 (1986): 38-53.
2. Chen et al. - Chen, Bixia, et al. "Utilization of Edible Wild Plants and Rural Village Development."
3. Geng et al.,2016 - Geng, Yanfei, et al. "Traditional knowledge and its transmission of wild edibles used by the Naxi in Baidi Village, northwest Yunnan province." Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine 12 (2016): 1-21.
4. [Jepson] 2013. Oenanthe, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=10202, accessed on Jan 28 2015
5. ong2015 - Ong, Homervergel G., et al. "Ethnobotany of the wild edible plants gathered in Ulleung Island, South Korea." Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 63 (2016): 409-427.
6. Qayum et al.,2016 - Abdul Qayum, Abdul Qayum, Rakesh Arya Rakesh Arya, and A. M. Lynn. "Ethnobotanical perspective of antimalarial plants: traditional knowledge based study." (2016): 4-February.
7. Schep et al.,2009 - Schep, Leo J., et al. "Poisoning due to water hemlock." Clinical toxicology 47.4 (2009): 270-278.