Folklore/Common Name:Rock Rose, Sun Rose, Frostweed, Cistus, Lechea Major
Parts Used: Leaves, dried
Historical Reference
The botanical name of this herb comes from the Greek helios, or the sun, and anthemon, for flower. Native to the Eastern United States, Frostwort is one of the beneficial herbs discovered in the New World and taken back across the pond. Today you can find it grown across Europe for its uses as well as its flowers and foliage. It's consistent popularity is evident in one way at least, in M. Grieve's 1931A Modern Herbal there is a notation that "All these Cistus and Helianthenums grow in the author's garden at Chalfont St. Peters".
Medicinal Use
While there are no cautionary statements today for Frostwort, Grieve mentions that overdose may produce nausea and vomiting. It's truly easiest, and recommended, to use commercial preparations and follow the manufacturer's instructions for safest use.
Today's uses for Frostwort are a far cry from even 50 years ago, primarily because it was one of those herbs that treated so many things, most of which now have other preferred treatments. For example, Grieve recommends Frostwort for syphilis, diarrhea, ulcerations, opthalmia, as a wash and as a gargle, as well as in poultice for some tumors and ulcers. Today, Herbalists concentrate on two primary uses of Frostwort, as a remedy for Indigestion and for Skin Inflammation. Frostwort's similar species Cistus Creticus, or European Rock Rose, the only other plant of the order used in medicine, yields the gum resin Ladanum. Where you might want to look for another important medicinal use for the flowers, however, is toward the Bach Flower Remedies. The variety Helianthemum nummularium, or Rock Rose, is the primary ingredient of the popular Bach Rescue Remedy. Useful primarily in emergencies or times of great stress or acute fear, the properties of Rock Rose are said bring about a feeling of calm and peace. For more on the Bach Flower Remedies just type the terms into search right here on Suite101.
Gardening with Frostwort
Frostwort and similar varieties of Helianthemum prefer a sandy soil and sun, and grow from 6 to 12 inches in height with bright yellow flowers which bloom up to twice per year. Depending on variety, their are plenty of other colors available as well. The plant gets its common name of Frostwort from the tendency of tiny ice crystals to protrude near the roots in early winter....that would be interesting to see!
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