A perennial plant 1-2' tall. Leaves opposite, lanceolate or ovate, up to 4½" long and 2" across, with smooth margins and parallel venation, and sessile against the stem. Flowers are bottle-shaped, looking like oversized flowerbuds even when mature, and they are 1–1½" long; the corollas are violet, and will assume different shades of this color depending on the maturity of each flower; the green calyx is much smaller than the corolla, and divided into 5 lanceolate segments. Fruit a single-chambered, two-valved, elliptic capsule containing numerous. Seeds flattened, winged, and smooth.
The root is used as an antidote to snakebites. An infusion of the roots has been used as a wash and also taken internally in the treatment of pain and headaches, and as drops for sore eyes. The roots are taken internally in the treatment of liver complaints, indigestion, gastric infections and anorexia. It is especially useful in states of exhaustion from chronic disease and in all cases of debility, weakness of the digestive system and lack of appetite. It is one of the best strengtheners of the human system, stimulating the liver, gall bladder and digestive system, and is an excellent tonic to combine with a purgative in order to prevent its debilitating effects.
Contraindication
Should not be prescribed for patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers.
Health Remedies 
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