A herbaceous plant grows to 1-2 m tall, with erect, usually unbranched stems growing in large groups from an extensive perennial underground rhizome. The leaves are opposite, pinnate, 15-30 cm long, with 5-9 leaflets with a foetid smell. The stems terminate in a corymb 10-15 cm diameter with numerous white (occasionally pink) flowers. The fruit is a small glossy black berry 5-6 mm diameter.

Antiphlogistic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant and laxative (leaves); diaphoretic, mildly diuretic and a drastic purgative (root).

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In the treatment of liver and kidney complaints (herb); for dropsy (root); as an application to painful joints (seed oil)