Kalonka, near Łódź

Native to the Mediterranean region and central Asia; wide spread over the temperate Northern Hemisphere. Edible plant - seeds eaten raw or used in confections, cakes, ice cream, etc; seeds can also be ground into a meal and used as a flavouring in sweet and savoury dishes; the leaves are used as a tea. Herbal plant - leaves are alterative, anthelmintic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, astringent and depurative, they are used internally in the treatment of constipation, chronic coughs, asthma, diarrhoea, dyspepsia; leaves are also used to treat skin ailments and purify the blood; the rind is anodyne and astringent, used in the treatment of diarrhoea and anaemia; seeds are antilithic, diuretic and stimulant, are used internally in the treatment of low back pain, frequent urination, weakness of both legs, chronic cough; the oil from the seed is anthelmintic. Useful plant - a yellow dye is obtained from the green husks; a brown dye is obtained from the leaves and mature husks; a golden-brown dye is obtained from the catkins in early summer; wood is heavy, hard, durable, close grained, seasons and polishes well, very valuable timber tree, it is used for furniture making, craft pieces, veneer, etc.