A perennial plant, growing to 2 cm tall and 10 cm wide. Leaves are evergreen, 2-3.5 cm long, in a basal rosette, forming clumps. Flowers trumpet-shaped, terminal flowers have a blue colour with olive-green spotted longitudinal throats. They grow on a very short peduncle, 3-6 cm long. The flower stem is often without leaves, or has 1 or 2 pairs of leaves.

Anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, bitter tonic, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, refrigerant, stomachic (roots)

Plants For A Future

Gentisin (root)

An infusion of the whole plant is used externally to lighten freckles. The root 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. It is taken internally in the treatment of liver complaints, indigestion, gastric infections and anorexia.

Should not be prescribed for patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers.