KNAPWEED.

Description:

Centaurea Jacea. It has many long and rather broad dark green leaves, dented about the edges, some­times a little torn on both sides, and rather hairy; amongst which arises a long round stalk, four or five feet high, divided into many branches, at the tops stand great scaly green heads, enclosing a number of dark purplish red thrums or threads; which after they are withered, come black seeds wrapped in down, resembling thistle-seed, but smaller. The root is white, hard, and woody. The flowers appear in June and July. It is found in fields and meadows, and on the road sides.

Herbal Remedies and Medicinal Uses of Knapweed:

It stays dysentery, or bloody flux, bleeding at the nose, and inward bleedings. It is good in catarrhal affections, restraining distillations of thin and sharp humours from the head upon the stomach and lungs. It is strongly recommended for cuts and bruises, and running sores, as it dries them up, and heals them gently. It may be taken in decoction, or be made into an ointment for outward application.