Water pepper - Polygonum Hydropiper

[falling rain]

One for Jakunen possibly or anyone who knows....

Water pepper..... I've tried this many times but usually just a leaf at a time. (if you've tried it you'll know why. There's a hint in the name) What I wanted to know is can it be used to spice up wild stews in larger quantities or added to salads, soups etc. Is eating larger quantities going to bad for me or is it quite safe ? Can i use it to stuff fish etc. I've used ramsons and 'Jack by the hedge' for a bit of garlicy tang but want to go for a bit of heat too. Cheers :super:

[Toddy]

In Scots this is known as Hot arsemart :-)
Kinda says it all really....oh and I get a really nice yellow dye from it!
The plant, that is :lol:

Toddy

[Realgar]

It's actually cultivated for use as a spice, the seeds are also used ground.
It's in oxalix acid so I'd stay away if you've got gout or kidney trouble.

Supposedly good for treating diarrhea.....

[Tantalus]

realgear where do you get this stuff from ?

and what is oxalix acid?

sorry if this sounds annoyed, but i couldnt find any of what you say verified by googling the plant

there is a nice page on it here tho

http://www-ang.kfunigraz.ac.at/~katzer/engl/generic_frame.html?Poly_hyd.ht ml

Tant

[Realgar]

Sorry mistyped - Oxalic acid, the same stuff as is found in rhubarb leaves, sorrel etc It's harmless in small doses but tends to bang out of solution in the wrong places like joints and kidneys if you're prone to gout or kidney stones.

The link you mentioned comments on its use in cookery, and I've seen it in several seed catalogues. It's never occured to to taste this one. I'll give it a try.

Realgar

[falling rain]

a word of caution (Correct me if I'm wrong Realgar) it resembles Dog Mercury before it comes into flower so be very careful. The Water pepper leaves are more willow shaped though and it comes out much later than Dog Mercury. I found loads of Dog Mercury whilst out yesterday.