Soviet Medical Encyclopedia

Ononis Spinosa L.

Pharmacology

Also known as: Spiny restharrow, Rest harrow

Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.

Summary

Ononis spinosa L. (spiny restharrow) is a subshrub of the legume family distributed across Europe, traditionally used in folk medicine as a diuretic and diaphoretic agent. Its root contains essential oils, resins, starch, onocerin, and the glycosides ononin and ononid.

Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)

ONONIS SPINOSA L., spiny restharrow, a subshrub up to 60 cm high, of the legume family, distributed across almost the entire Europe. The root is used, which contains traces of essential oil, several resins, starch, onocerin (a substance close to phytosterols), and the glycosides ononin and ononid, which is similar to glycyrrhizin. It is used in folk medicine as a diuretic and diaphoretic agent.

Cite this page

“Ononis Spinosa L..” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/ononis-spinosa-l/