ΔΡΑΚΟΝΤΙΟΝ
Dracunculus vulgaris
(Dragon arum)
Botanical info:
Dragon arum is a tuberous herbaceous perennial, with leaves up to 90 cm tall, sprouting in early spring. Its spectacular inflorescence (up to 60 cm tall) blooms in late summer. Its habitat is near ponds, streams, and dappled forest edges. It is native in the central to eastern Mediterranean areas from Greece to the Balkans to Turkey.
Hippocratic legacy:
a. In Internal Affections:
a. As a treatment for tuberculosis grind dragon arum in wine and drink, and for the cough leak dragon arum grinded in honey.
b. In Nature of Women:
a. As a decoction in wine or water is recommended for uterus purgation.
c. In Diseases of Women 2:
a. Dragon arum – raw or roasted – grinded in honey, morphed in sphere as a suppository is suggested against uterus sclerosis.
Other uses:
The foul odor of the spathes, sometimes described as akin to the nauseous aroma of rotten meat, attracts flies for pollinating the flowers. All above ground parts and berries of dragon arum are poisonous though this plant has been tested to fight cancer. Applied to cancerous growth, it is believed that its corrosive properties are what work against the growths.