Habitat
Type: waste places, cultivated areas
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere

General
Growth type: herb
Cycle: annual
Height: up to 30cm

Leaf
Shape: heart
Texture: downy
Arrangement: pairs
Edge: finely toothed
Other: top leaves purple

Flower
Shape: lipped
Arrangement: in whorls
When: March to October
Colour:

all year

How to Consume
raw

Used as ...
food

Action:
Whole plant: astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, purgative

May treat:
Whole plant: decoction: checking any kind of haemorrhage
Poultice: wounds

Collection
best in spring and during flowering when biggest

Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed

Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use

Other:
caution

Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances

• astringent: causes localised contraction of blood vessels and tissue, reducing the flow of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• diaphoretic: promotes perspiration, aids the skin in elimination of toxins
• diuretic: increases secretion and elimination of urine
• purgative: produces evacuation of the bowels (more severe than aperients or laxatives)