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Good King Henry is a species of goosefoot which is native to much of central and southern Europe.
It is a perennial plant growing up to 20 – 100 cm tall.
It is a perennial plant growing up to 20 – 100 cm tall.
Habitats are rich pastures, farmyards, roadsides.
Habitats are rich pastures, farmyards, roadsides.
The leaves are triangular to diamond-shaped, with a pair of broad pointed lobes near the base, with a slightly waxy, succulent texture.
The leaves are triangular to diamond-shaped, with a pair of broad pointed lobes near the base, with a slightly waxy, succulent texture.
The flowers are produced in a tall, nearly leafless spike 100–300 mm long; each flower is very small, green, with five sepals.
The flowers are produced in a tall, nearly leafless spike 100–300 mm long; each flower is very small, green, with five sepals.
The flowers are produced in a tall, nearly leafless spike 100–300 mm long; each flower is very small, green, with five sepals.
It is in flower from May to August.
The seeds are reddish-green, 2–3 mm diameter.
The seeds are reddish-green, 2–3 mm diameter.
We use herbal substances as Radix boni - henrici and Herba boni – henrici.
The herb contains saponins, mucilages, tannins, organic acids, flavonoids, histamine etc.The leaves contain also a lot of vitamins.
It has been used like emollient, laxative and vermifuge.
A poultice of the leaves has been used to cleanse and heal chronic sores, boils and abscesses. The seed is a gentle laxative that is suitable for children.
The plants also contain some oxalic acid. This remedy should not be used by people suffering from kidney complaints, rheumatism, arthritis or gout.
The leaves are a good source of iron.
The cooked leaves make an acceptable spinach substitute. Young leaves can be chopped and used as a small part of mixed salads. Some of the new shoots can be cooked like asparagus.