Herb's Introduction
Sonchus oleraceus (L.), commonly known as Annual Sowthistle or Common Sowthistle, is a widespread herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. It is an annual or biennial herb that is globally distributed and often considered a common weed, yet it holds significant value as both an edible wild vegetable and a traditional medicinal plant. The plant is noted for its bitter taste, especially in older leaves, a characteristic common to many members of the Cichorieae tribe (dandelion tribe) within the Asteraceae family. Its traditional use as a food source, often consumed as a leafy green vegetable (cooked or raw, especially when young), alongside its long history in various traditional medicine systems across the world, underscores its importance. Its medicinal uses are diverse, encompassing treatments for various ailments, often due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and potential detoxifying properties, which are linked to the presence of various bioactive compounds like flavonoids, terpenes, and coumarins. In many cultures, including in regions like Nepal where it is known as दूधी (Dudhi) or Dhudi kanda, it has been a part of the traditional materia medica for centuries.
Name in Different Countries
The plant's widespread distribution has led to a rich variety of common names across the globe, reflecting its local perception and use. Language / Region Name(s) English Annual Sowthistle, Common Sowthistle, Smooth Sow Thistle, Hare's Colwort, Hare's Thistle, Milky Tassel, Swinies, Hare's-lettuce, Milk thistle Hindi (India/Nepal) दूधी (Dudhi), दुधे काँडा (Dhudi Kanda) Afrikaans Gweone sydissel Arabic جعضيض (jueaḍīḍ), جوع ضيع, جلوين (jalawīn) Chinese 滇苦荬菜 (diān kǔ mǎi cài), kŭcài (苦菜; bitter vegetable) Danish Almindelig Svinemælk Finnish Kaalivalvatti French Laiteron maraîcher German Gemeine Gänsedistel, Gemüse-Gänsedistel Hawaiian pualele Icelandic Gyltufífill Italian cicerbita domestica Korean 방가지똥 (banggajittong) Malayalam Varapputhannal Norwegian Haredylle Portuguese Serralha Romanian susai moale Russian Осот огородный (osot ogorodnyj) Swedish mjölktistel Māori (New Zealand) Rauriki (similar to native Pūhā or S. kirkii) Export to Sheets
Terminology
Scientific Name: Sonchus oleraceus (L.) Family: Asteraceae (Compositae) - This is one of the largest families of flowering plants, often known as the Daisy or Sunflower family. Genus: Sonchus - Commonly known as Sow Thistles. Synonyms: A long list of historical or regional names, including Carduus amplexicaulis, Sonchus angustissimus, Sonchus ciliatus, Sonchus glaber, and Sonchus royleanus. This extensive list reflects the plant's wide variation and historical taxonomic study. Epithet Meaning: The specific epithet 'oleraceus' is Latin for "vegetable/herbal," indicating its historical use as an edible plant, particularly a kitchen garden herb or vegetable. Common Name Origin: The name 'Sow Thistle' is often attributed to the belief that it was fed to lactating sows to increase milk production, a galactagogue effect. The name 'Hare's Thistle' or 'Hare's Lettuce' refers to its use as food for rabbits and hares.
Availability
Sonchus oleraceus is a truly cosmopolitan weed, meaning it is found almost worldwide, having spread from its native range (Macaronesia, Europe to the Mediterranean, Sahara to the Arabian Peninsula) to nearly every continent. It thrives in temperate and subtropical biomes and is highly adaptable, growing readily in open and disturbed areas such as roadsides, cultivated fields, gardens, construction sites, and waste grounds. Geographical Distribution: Globally abundant, including throughout Asia. Availability in Nepal: The plant, or closely related Sonchus species like S. arvensis, is reported in the annotated checklist of the Flowering Plants of Nepal, where it is known as दूधी काँडा (Dhudi kanda) and grows at altitudes between approximately 2300-2800 meters. As a common weed, its leaves and stems are readily available in the wild throughout its growing season. Cultivation Status: Primarily a wild-harvested plant, though its high nutritional and medicinal value suggests potential for cultivation. It is sometimes traded in local markets.
External Look
Sonchus oleraceus is an annual or biennial herb that typically grows up to 90 cm high. Stem: The stems are usually upright, often branched, and may possess glandular hairs. They can exude a white, milky latex when broken. Leaves: Leaves are a key diagnostic feature. They are generally runcinate-pinnatifid, meaning they are deeply cut or lobed with the lobes pointing backward towards the base of the leaf. They have a characteristic wide hastate terminal lobe and are auricled and amplexicaule (clasping the stem) at the base. The margins are spinulose-serrate, meaning they have small, weak prickles or soft spines along the edges. Younger leaves are less bitter and less prickly than older ones. Flowers: The plant produces small, few flower heads (capitula), typically about 15 x 8 mm in size, arranged in panicled cymes. The flowers are ray florets only, appearing bright yellow, similar in appearance to a small Dandelion flower. Fruit (Achenes): The dry, one-seeded fruits are called achenes. They are small (around 3 x 1 mm), narrowed at the base, truncate at the apex, and muriculate (finely roughened). They are tipped with a large pappus of white, cottony, unbranched hairs (about 10 mm long) that aid in wind dispersal.
Healing Properties
Sonchus oleraceus is endowed with a rich array of bioactive compounds, giving it a spectrum of healing properties validated by traditional use and modern research. Anti-inflammatory: Studies have shown that extracts possess significant anti-inflammatory activity, both in vitro and in vivo, potentially due to compounds like villosol, ferulaic acid, β-sitosterol, ursolic acid, and rutin. This property is traditionally applied to treat inflammation and swelling. Antioxidant: The plant is rich in vitamins (A, C) and bioactive compounds (phenolics, flavonoids) which contribute to strong antioxidant activity, crucial for protecting cells from oxidative stress and associated diseases. Hepatoprotective (Liver Protective): Traditionally used for liver diseases and hepatitis. This is a common function across many Sonchus species, which are often used as liver tonics. Diuretic: The plant is traditionally employed to increase urine flow, aiding in conditions related to the genitourinary system. Sedative and Anxiolytic: Used as a sedative and to treat opium addiction in some traditions (Pima people), suggesting effects on the nervous system. Extracts have shown anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and inhibitory effects on locomotor activity. Galactagogue: Historically fed to lactating sows to boost milk production, suggesting a potential to increase breast milk supply. Antimicrobial/Anti-infective: Possesses antibacterial properties, used in traditional medicine for various infections. Purgative/Cathartic: The gum from the milky latex is described as strongly cathartic (producing a bowel movement), and the roots are purgative. Febrifuge: Used to reduce fever.
Advantages
The advantages of Sonchus oleraceus stem from its dual role as a readily available food and a powerful medicine: Nutritional Powerhouse: It is highly nutritious, often surpassing commercial leafy vegetables like spinach and cabbage in content of protein, crude fiber, and minerals (e.g., high levels of Calcium, Iron, Potassium, and Phosphorus), as well as Vitamins (A, C, Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin). Consuming the leaves can significantly contribute to meeting daily nutritional requirements, especially Vitamin C. Widespread Availability: As a cosmopolitan weed, it is generally easy to find and harvest at little or no cost, offering an inexpensive vegetable source for rural and urban populations, potentially helping to alleviate malnutrition. Multiple Medicinal Uses: The plant addresses a wide range of common ailments, including inflammation, digestive issues, fever, liver disorders, and skin problems, making it a versatile component of traditional primary healthcare. Low Toxicity (in general use): While the white latex is mildly poisonous to lambs and horses, general traditional human consumption as a cooked leafy vegetable is widespread and considered safe, pointing to its potential for low toxicity compared to synthetic drugs. Source of Bioactive Compounds: Modern research highlights its rich phytochemical profile, including valuable compounds like flavonoids and triterpenes, which serve as a natural resource for potential drug development.
Uses
The uses of Sonchus oleraceus fall into three main categories: Edible Use (as a vegetable/food): Leaves and Stems: Young leaves are eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach. Steaming is often used to reduce the bitterness of older leaves. Root: Younger roots can be dried and used as a coffee substitute. Cultural Food: Used as kŭcài (bitter vegetable) in Chinese cuisine and as rauriki by the Māori in New Zealand. Medicinal/Herbal Use: Digestive System: Used as a stomachic, for indigestion, gastritis, dysentery, colic, and for promoting digestion. Liver Diseases: Traditionally used to treat liver diseases and hepatitis; often considered a liver tonic. Inflammation and Pain: Applied for anti-inflammatory effects, rheumatism, and general swelling. Skin and Wounds: Latex used topically to treat warts. Ointment from the decoction used for wounds and ulcers. Genitourinary/Fever: Used as a febrifuge (fever reducer) and diuretic (for genitourinary disorders). Other Ailments: Used in Siddha and other traditional systems for ophthalmic diseases, skin diseases, anemia, opium addiction, and as a vermifuge (expelling worms). Veterinary Use: Used in veterinary medicine to treat diarrhea and vaginal prolapse in animals.
Using Way
The method of preparation varies significantly depending on the intended use: For Food Use (Consumption): Young Leaves: Eaten raw as a salad green. Older Leaves: Typically cooked by boiling or steaming, which helps to leach out the bitter compounds, then consumed like spinach. Juicing: Can be rubbed between the palms and eaten, or included in herbal decoctions. For Medicinal Use: Infusion/Decoction: A tonic and febrifuge infusion is made from the root and leaves. Decoctions (boiling the plant material in water) are commonly used for oral administration to treat liver issues, fever, or as a digestive aid. Paste: Leaf paste is sometimes prepared and given for stomachache. Ointment: A decoction can be made into an ointment for external application on wounds and ulcers. Latex Application: The white latex or gum from the juice is applied topically to treat warts. Root Preparation: The roots are used in preparations where a purgative or antibacterial effect is desired. Dosage and Duration: As with all traditional remedies, dosage and duration of use are specific to the ailment and local knowledge, and should be guided by a traditional practitioner or healthcare professional.
Conclusion
Sonchus oleraceus, the Annual Sowthistle, is a globally ubiquitous herb of immense historical and contemporary value. Despite its classification as a cosmopolitan weed, it stands out as a high-potential source for nutrition and traditional medicine. Known across the world by various names, including दूधी (Dudhi) in South Asia, its long list of synonyms and vast distribution underscore its adaptability and long human association. Its external features—a milky-juiced, yellow-flowered herb with clasping, prickly leaves—make it easily identifiable. The plant's healing properties are well-documented in traditional practices and increasingly supported by scientific evidence, confirming its action as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, diuretic, and galactagogue agent. Used widely as a highly nutritious green vegetable, its advantages lie in its free availability, high mineral and vitamin content, and versatility in treating a broad spectrum of common ailments, from digestive disorders and fever to liver and skin issues. Whether consumed raw when young, cooked to reduce bitterness, or prepared as a medicinal infusion or topical ointment, Sonchus oleraceus remains a vital, underutilized natural resource that plays a significant role in traditional healthcare systems worldwide, including among the medicinal plants of Nepal. Further research is warranted to fully isolate and develop its bioactive compounds into modern pharmaceutical strategies.
