Łódź, Bałuty

Native to Europe and Western Asia, but spread worldwide. Possible weed! Edible plant - young leaves raw or processed; stems cooked like asparagus or rhubarb after skin peeling; young roots cooked, they are juicy, but no palatable; the milky sap has been used as a chewing gum by the Maoris of New Zealand(!). Herbal plant - the plant is emmenagogue and hepatic, an infusion has been used to bring on a tardy menstruation and to treat diarrhoea; the stem juice is a powerful hydrogogue and cathartic, but should be used with great caution since it can cause colic and tenesmus; the leaves are applied as a poultice to inflammatory swellings; an infusion of the leaves and roots is febrifuge and tonic. Usable plant - the plant is a good companion for onions, tomatoes, corn as well as the cucumber and squash family.