Its stem is slender and branched, rarely exceeding 1 foot in height and somewhat angular. The leaves are divided into long, narrow segments and are of a deep green colour, generally turned back at the ends. The upper leaves are nearly stalkless, but the lower ones have longer leaf-stalks. The flowers are small, rose-coloured or white, in stalked umbels with only four to six rays. The seeds are oblong in shape, thicker in the middle, compressed laterally about 5 mm long, and bristle and almost straight. They have nine fine ridges, overlapping as many oil channels.
Herb Effects
Antibacterial, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, carminative, galactogogue, poultice, stimulant and stomachic.
As a remedy for colic and dyspeptic headache, as a cure for stitches and pains in the side caused by the sluggish congestion of indolent parts. It is bruised and applied externally in the form of a plaster for wounds. Used in the treatment of insomnia, bloating, cough, diarrhea, indigestion, morning sickness, colds and fevers and to improve milk production in nursing mothers and also as a general tonic to the whole digestive system, it is used in the treatment of flatulence and bloating, reducing intestinal gas and relaxing the gut as a whole (seeds); Ground into a powder and mixed into a paste with onion juice, it has been applied to scorpion stings.
Reference
Sharma, Classical Uses of Medicinal Plants.
Chandel et al., Biodiversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India. The Himalaya Drug Company. Bentley and Trimen, Medicinal Plants. Grieve M. A Modern Herbal (1931) (www.botanical.com).