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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.



CENTIPEDA
ASTERACEAE
(Centipeda minima)
[é bù shí cao]
image 1 Image

CONTAINS: Alkaloid, glycoside, saponin, essential oil, myriogynin.

An annual to 3 feet high and 1½ feet wide which is native to eastern Asia and Australia and quite common in Japan. The FLOWERS are hermaphrodite.

MEDICINAL USES:
Anodyne, antitussive, depurative, diuretic; stimulates blood circulation.
In Chinese medicine, it has been used for headache, colds, conjunctivitis, hemorrhoids, malaria. A decoction has been used for sores, dyspepsia, rickets and nasal polyps.
The flowers have been used as a snuff to make the eyes water in cases of ophthalmia The squeezed flower heads, when inhaled promote sneezing which has been used to clear nasal passages.
In Ayurvedic medicine it has been used for inflammation of the seminal tube attached directly to the testicle as well as for fluid in the sac surrounding the testicle. A thick paste has also been prepared from the boiled herb and applied to toothache. The powdered leaves and/or seeds have been used as a snuff for head colds. Seeds have also been used for intestinal worms.
There is currently a great deal of interest in studying this plant for its possible role in healing colds and other respiratory problems.




©2005 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

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