Family Name: Compositae
Botanical Name(s): Senecio Jacobaea
Popular Name(s): St. James-Wort, Ragweed, Stinking Nanny,
Staggerwort, Cankerwort and Stammerwort
Parts Used: Herb
Habitat: It is distributed over Europe, Siberia and Northwest
India.
Description: Ragwort grows about 2 to 3 feet high, with a much
branched, furrowed stem, without hairs, and deep, glossy, green leaves,
irregularly divided and toothed. The root-leaves are broader, jagged at
the base, those on the stalk deeply divided down to the rib. The flowers
are arranged in rather large, flat-topped bunches
Uses: It is used with success in relieving rheumatism, sciatica
and gout, a poultice of the green leaves being applied to painful joints
and reducing the inflammation and swelling. It makes a good gargle for
ulcerated throat and mouth, and is said to take away the pain caused by
the sting of bees. A decoction of the root is good for inward bruises
and wounds.
