Habitat
Type: grassy places
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere

General
Growth type: herb
Cycle: perennial
Height: up to 1 meter
Other:

Leaf
Shape: lanceolate
Edge: wavy

Flower
Diameter: tiny
Arrangement: whorls on spiked clusters
When: June to October
Other:
Colour:

Seed
Size: tiny

Contains oxalic acid. Oxalic acid can bind up other minerals, especially calcium. May aggravate rheumatic conditions, kidney stones, hyper acidity or osteoporosis. May be reduced by cooking, possibly also if eaten with a source of salts derived from methyl salicylate (salicylic acid etc.) from sources such as dried Meadowsweet.

The root may cause gastric upset, nausea and dermatitis if eaten in excess.

Eat in moderation.

March to October - best from March to May
March to April
all year
June to November

Parts with black and white icons are for non-culinary use

Flavour
Rating and Description:
bitter

How to Consume
young (before stems develop): raw
raw
raw, flour, roasted

Special preparation
peel
As the seed is small and could easily pass through the digestive system, it is best to grind them to allow absorption of nutrients.

Nutrition
Iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C

Used as ...
food
beverage (coffee substitute)

Action:
antiscorbutic, astringent, cholagogue, depurative, laxative, tonic

May treat:
constipation, diarrhoea, piles, blood complaints, anaemia, chronic skin diseases
poultice/salve/dusting powder: sores, ulcers, wounds, skin problems, nettle stings (juice), cancer

dye: yellow, green to brown, dark grey (no need for mordant)
Plant: compost (roots and seeds must be well macerated in water to prevent spreading)

Drying
dry to store
slice, dry in sun or low oven

Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed

Parts with black and white icons in the availability section are for non-culinary use

Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use

Other:
caution

General Glossary

• lanceolate: shaped like a lance head, tapered to end

Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances

• antiscorbutic: prevents scurvy, contains Vitamin C
• astringent: causes localised contraction of blood vessels and tissue, reducing the flow of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• cholagogue: increases flow of bile
• depurative: eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood
• laxative: evacuates the bowels or softens stools
• tonic: improves general health, bringing steady improvement