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Kidney Vetch

Scientific Names


• Anthyllis vulneraria L.
• Pea family

Common Names

Ladies’ fingers
Lamb’s toes
Staunchwort
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Parts Usually Used

Flowering tops
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Kidney vetch is a European perennial plant; the procumbent or erect stem grows from a strong taproot to a length of 8-16 inches. The basal leaves are petioled and simple or pinnate; the stem leaves are odd-pinnate, the leaflets lanceolate with the odd leaflet larger than the others. The yellow flowers are arranged in ovoid or subglobose, clover-like heads, appearing from May to September.

Another variety: The Chinese use a plant they call vetch (Vicia hirsuta), the Chinese name is Ch’iao-yao. Recommended for chronic malarial difficulties.
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Where Found

Found in limestone soils, dry meadows, hills, and railroad embankments.
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Medicinal Properties

Astringent
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Uses

A warm infusion of kidney vetch can be used to wash wounds, which are then covered with a poultice which is renewed every hour. The tea is often given to children as a mild purgative, and it sometimes helps to allay vomiting in children.
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Formulas or Dosages

Kidney vetch can be used fresh or dried.

Infusion: steep 1 tsp. flower heads in 1/2 cup water. Take 1 cup per day, sweetened with honey.
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Bibliography

The Herb Book, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.

Chinese Medicinal Herbs, compiled by Shih-Chen Li, Georgetown Press, San Francisco, California, 1973.

Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, New World Dictionaries: A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023, 1984

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