# Plant Monograph: Figwort
**Name of plant:**
Figwort
**Catch phrase (Carmina Gadelica or traditional invocation if available):**
No specific Carmina Gadelica invocation is recorded for Figwort. A traditional herbal maxim associated with the Doctrine of Signatures states: *"As the root bears nodes, so it heals the nodes of man."*
**Family:**
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
**Genus and species:**
*Scrophularia nodosa* L.
**Other names:**
* Common Figwort
* Knotted Figwort
* Woodland Figwort
* Carpenter's Square
* Heal-All
* Scrofula Plant
* Kernelwort
* Throatwort
* Gaelic (descriptive): Lus nan Clàbh ("herb of swellings"), though no widely standardized traditional Gaelic name survives
**Brief introduction:**
Figwort is a perennial herb native to Europe, western Asia, and parts of North Africa. It thrives in hedgerows, woodland margins, damp meadows, and riverbanks. The plant grows upright with square stems, opposite leaves, and clusters of small greenish-purple flowers. Historically valued for treating swollen lymph nodes, skin disorders, and inflammatory conditions, Figwort became closely associated with the treatment of scrofula ("the king's evil"), a form of tuberculous lymphadenitis.
**Traditional uses:**
* Treatment of swollen lymph glands
* Relief of skin eruptions and eczema
* Management of hemorrhoids
* Treatment of wounds and ulcers
* Support for chronic inflammatory conditions
**Historical use:**
* Widely used in medieval European medicine for scrofula
* Applied externally to enlarged glands of the neck
* Included in traditional "blood-cleansing" formulas
* Used by folk healers for chronic skin complaints
* Employed as a poultice for bruises, tumors, and stubborn swellings
**Parts used and method of use:**
* Aerial parts (leaves, stems, flowers)
* Root
Used as:
* Infusion (herbal tea)
* Tincture
* Poultice
* Wash or compress
* Ointment or salve
**Use in healing (modern herbal practice):**
* Support for lymphatic congestion
* Adjunct treatment for chronic skin disorders
* Mild anti-inflammatory support
* Traditional support for hemorrhoids and varicose veins
* Alterative herb in detoxification protocols
**Pharmacology and biochemistry:**
* Iridoid glycosides (including harpagoside-related compounds)
* Phenolic acids and flavonoids
* Saponins
Mechanisms:
* Modulation of inflammatory pathways
* Mild stimulation of lymphatic circulation
* Antioxidant protection of tissues
**Overall profile:**
Figwort is considered a lymphatic and alterative herb with mild anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and tissue-supportive properties. Modern herbalists primarily value it for lymphatic stagnation, chronic skin disorders, and inflammatory swellings, although rigorous clinical evidence remains limited.
**Common dosage:**
* Infusion: 1–2 teaspoons dried herb per cup, up to 3 times daily
* Tincture (1:5): 2–5 mL, 2–3 times daily
* Dried herb: 1–3 g daily
* External wash or compress: Applied as needed to affected areas
**Safety factors (including side effects):**
* Generally regarded as safe when used appropriately
* Large doses may cause mild digestive discomfort
* Use during pregnancy is not well studied and is generally avoided
* Rare allergic reactions may occur
* Long-term internal use should be supervised by a qualified practitioner
**First aid / adverse reaction response:**
* Mild digestive upset: Reduce dosage or discontinue use
* Skin irritation from topical use: Wash area and discontinue application
* Allergic reaction: Stop use and monitor symptoms
* Severe allergic response: Seek immediate medical attention
**Drug interactions:**
* Theoretical interaction with anti-inflammatory medications
* Theoretical additive effects with lymphatic or detoxification protocols
* Potential interaction with medications metabolized through inflammatory pathways
* No major documented interactions, but caution is advised with chronic medication use
**Horticultural requirements:**
* USDA / Canadian zone: 4–8
* Soil pH: 5.5–7.5
* Light requirements: Partial shade to full sun
* Moisture: Moist to moderately moist soil
**Other notes (growth habit, harvest timing, etc.):**
* Upright perennial reaching 60–120 cm in height
* Flowers from June through September
* Harvest aerial parts during flowering
* Naturally found in damp woods, hedgerows, and stream banks
* Easily propagated by seed or root division
**Sampling of clinical reports / studies:**
* Very few modern human clinical trials have been conducted
* Laboratory studies suggest anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity
* Phytochemical investigations confirm the presence of iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, and saponins
* Extensive European ethnobotanical records support traditional use for lymphatic and skin disorders
* Overall assessment of evidence: Strong traditional evidence and promising pharmacological data exist, but modern clinical evidence remains limited and insufficient for definitive therapeutic claims.
Educational Use Only: The information presented on this page is provided for educational, historical, and informational purposes only. ArdNemeton na Tuatha and Bhùth Draoi do not provide medical advice. Always consult your physician and pharmacist before using any herb, mushroom, supplement, or botanical product for medicinal purposes. Traditional uses described herein do not constitute medical claims.