Softly hairy, half woody, strongly aromatic shrub, . Simple,
alternate, broadly elongated leaves, 7-20 cm long, with toothed
margin and appendaged or divided base. Loose yellow flower head
scattered along much-branched leafy panicles. Two types of discoid
flowers: peripheral ones tiny, more numerous, with tubular corolla;
central flowers few, large with campanulate corolla. Anther cells
tailed at base. Fruit (achene) dry, 1-seeded, 10-ribbed, hairy at
top.
Properties:Vulnerary, antidiarrhetic, antigastralgic,
expectorant, stomachic, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, astringent,
anthelmintic.
Propagation by cuttings and layering.
Parts utilized:Leaves (fresh or dried).
Mature, healthy, fully expanded leaves are harvested while senescent
leaves are discarded. Air-dry until they crumble when crushed with
the fingers. Store in amber colored bottles in a cool, dry place.
Medical use:Leaves as poultice for abscesses.
Decoction of roots and leaves for fevers and cystitis.
Applied while hot over the sinuses. Used for wounds and cuts.
Fresh juice of leaves to wounds and cuts.
Poultice of leaves to forehead for headaches.
Tea is used for colds and as an expectorant; likewise, has
antispasmodic and antidiarrheal benefits.
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