Jacob's Ladder

Includes: Between 25 and 40 species of flowering plants in the family Polemoniaceae (the Jacob's-Ladder or Phlox family).

Folk Names: Abscess Root; American Valerian; Blue Bells; Stairway to Heaven; Sweatroot; Moving Polemonium; Salmon Polemonium; Sky-Pilot
Scientific Names: Polemonium Reptans; Polemonium Yezoense; Polemonium Caeruleum

Status:

Native Regions: The Northern Hemisphere and South America- with the center of diversity in western North America.
Naturalized Regions:
Invasive Regions:

Physical Description:

Scent Description:

Oil Product Description:
Scent Synergies:

Gardening:

Handling Concerns:
Growing Concerns: Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in partial to full shade. Prefers rich, humusy, consistently moist soils, and soil must not be allowed to dry out. Leaflet tips will brown up if soils are allowed to dry out. Plants are also intolerant of high heat and humidity. Foliage may scorch if placed in too much sun, and Leaf Spot and Powdery Mildew can be problems in humid climates; watch for slugs.

Medicinal Uses: To reduce fever and inflammation / swelling, dry out tissues as an astringent, and promote sweating (?)

Compounds Known: Triterpene Saponins
Concerns & Contraindications:

Culinary Uses: The flowers can be used as salad garnish.

Practical Uses: Cats are attracted to the herb.

Magical Uses:

Additional Notes: divider

P. reptans has been traditionally used as an herbal medicine for febrile and inflammatory diseases, to ease coughs, colds and bronchial complaints, and to encourage perspiration. It is furthermore said to bring relief in cases of inflammations and infections. The root is rarely used in modern herbalism. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use.

'Polemonium Reptans' article on Wikipedia