The following notes apply to the species of this plant. Herbalists recommend a tea made from the roots as purgative and from the whole plant as a diuretic. It was known as Masterwort and Magistrantia, implying it was only fit for use by experienced herbalists.

The following notes apply to the species of this plant. Woodville notes that in some diseases, such as hysteria, hydrops, colic, paralysis, intestinal parasites and intermittent fevers, it was ‘employed with so much success as to be distinguished by the name of ‘divinum remedium’ [=divine remedy], and notes that it was no longer so regarded. It contains saponins that have antifungal activity when applied topically.

The following notes apply to the species of this plant. Notes re Lindley's 'Flora Medica' 1838: Astrantia major This is (or was) known as Great Masterwort, Black Masterwort, Gentleman's Melancholy, Hattie's Pincushion, Mountain Sanicle, and Black-root Sanicle. We grow this in the European beds, at the top of the College lawn. It will not be in flower until May/June, but an early one has put up its head, barely visible above the ground at the beginning of April 2007. Lindley listed it as a purgative. It was recommended by Nicholas Culpeper for ‘cold griefs and diseases both of the stomache and body’.