Asarabacca
Asarum europaeum L.
Asarum europaeum, known as asarabacca, is a flowering plant in the Aristolochiaceae family, native to temperate Europe and cultivated in gardens. It is an evergreen perennial with glossy, kidney-shaped leaves and dull purple flowers. The plant has a ginger-like aroma but is unrelated to culinary ginger. It was historically used as a spice, in snuff, and for medicinal purposes. However, it is nephrotoxic and contains aristolochic acid, a known carcinogen, leading to warnings against its consumption.
Description
Asarum europaeum is a creeping perennial herb with a distribution across parts of Europe, including countries such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands. It features solitary flowers and is not closely related to the ginger family. The plant has been used historically for flavoring and medicinal applications, but due to the presence of aristolochic acid, it is now recognized as harmful. The FDA and other health authorities caution against its use due to potential kidney damage and cancer risks.
Other common names
AsarabaccaEuropean wild ginger
Distribution
NO · DK · FI · Belgium · Flemish Region · Walloon Region · France · The Netherlands · Great Britain · DZ · GB · Denmark · Ireland · Northern Ireland · Norway · Sweden · England · Scotland · Wales · SE · Vermont-US · Albania · Altay · Austria · Baltic States · Belarus · Bulgaria · Central European Rus · Czechoslovakia · East European Russia
