Łódź, Botanical Garden

It is native to Europe and Northern America. Edible plant - young leaves raw or cooked, a dry, somewhat astringent flavour; roots cooked, an astringent taste; leaves are used commercially in the blending of tea. Herbal plant - the herb is alterative, antirheumatic, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, sedative, styptic, tonic and vulnerary; the plant is rich in tannin and so is an effective astringent and styptic, commonly used both internally and externally in the treatment of wounds, it helps stop vaginal discharge and is also used as a treatment for excessive menstruation and to heal lesions after pregnancy, but prolonged use can ease the discomfort of the menopause and excessive menstruation; the freshly pressed juice is used to help heal skin troubles such as acne and a weak decoction of the plant has been used in the treatment of conjunctivitis; te fresh roots have similar and perhaps stronger properties to the leaves, but are less often used. Usable plant - a useful ground cover plant, though somewhat slow to spread.