A herbaceous perennial growing to 1 - 2.5 m tall;[1] the leaves are heart-shaped, 7-15 cm long and 6-12 cm broad, and white on the underside with dense small hairs - this gives it a silvery appearance; unlike nettles, the hairs do not sting.

Antiphlogistic, demulcent, diuretic, febrifuge, haemostatic and vulnerary (plant); astringent and resolvent (leaves); antiabortifacient, antibacterial, cooling, demulcent, diuretic, resolvent and uterosedative (root)

Plants for a Future

Ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, chlorogenic acid (leaf); emodin (root); niacin, riboflavin, thiamin (leaf, shoot)

Used to prevent miscarriages and promote the drainage of pus (plant); in the treatment of fluxes and wounds (leaves); in the treatment of threatened abortions, colic of pregnancy, haemorrhoids, leukorrhoea, impetigo etc (root)