A deciduous shrub, growing to 1.5 m tall. The leaves of the plant are linear to lanceolate, 3-15 cm long and 0.3-3 cm broad, with a modified dentate, pinnately lobed margin; they give off a sweet odor, especially when crushed. The flowers are imperfect, meaning that no one flower has both gender parts.

Astringent, blood purifier, expectorant and tonic (leaves)

Plants For A Future

Betulin (leaf)

A tea made from the leaves and flowering tops is used as a remedy for diarrhoea, flux, headache, fevers, catarrh, vomiting of blood, rheumatism etc. The infusion has also been used to treat ringworm. The leaves have also been used internally for leucorrhea, tuberculosis and scrofula and as a poultice for blisters, itches, toothaches, sprains etc. A cold water infusion of the leaves has been used externally to counter the effect of poison ivy and to bathe stings, minor haemorrhages.

James A Duke and Maryl Fulton. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs - 2nd Edition, P: 711, CRC Press July 2002.