What is arsmart?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
September 20, 2002
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"Arsmart bringeth forth stalks a cubit high, round, smooth, jointed or kneed, dividing themselves into sundry branches: whereon grow leaves like those of the Peach....The flours grow in clusters upon long stems..after which commeth forth little seeds..of a hot and biting taste, as is all the rest of the Plant..." (John Gerard, The Herbal, 1633 ed.)
Now known as smartweed, knotweed, or water-pepper, there are an estimated 150 species of Polygonum [po lig' a num] found worldwide. Most species of Polygonum grow in damp, marshy, or inundated ground. The name water-pepper is a direct translation of its ancient Roman name Hydropiper.
Although The Herbal has drawings and descriptions of four arsmarts, Gerard gives medical uses for only two: arsmart "hot and dry" and dead arsmart "of temperature cold". These plants appear to be Polygonum hydropiper and Polygonum persicaria, respectively.
Gerard recommended the plants for their poultice value. "The leaves...of Arsmart do waste and consume all cold swellings, dissolve and scatter congealed bloud that commeth of bruisings or stripes." If a wound showed signs of infection, Gerard stated, "Dead Arsmart is good against inflammations and hot swellings...."
Polygonum hydropiper is an irritating plant avoided by grazing animals. The common name came from its use (misuse and abuse) on donkeys and horses. Gerard believed, "The leaves rubbed upon a tired jade's (a broken-down horse or mule) back, and a good handful or two laid under the saddle, and the same set on again, wonderfully refresheth the wearied horse, and causeth him to travel much the better."
The Wisconsin State Herbarium, University of Wisconsin--Madison has a wonderful photograph of arsmart (Polygonum hydropiper) and dead arsmart (Polygonum persicaria). To view the photographs, click on the links:
Click here to view arsmart (Polygonum hydropiper)
Click here to view dead arsmart (Polygonum persicaria)
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