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Description

Pedicularis Canadensis is a perennial herb that is native to eastern North America from Nova Scotia to Manitoba. Naturally, it grows in moist, open woods as well as amongst thickets and along roadsides and clearings. It has been used by Native Americans for medicinal properties. It's a low-growing, hairy plant that typically measures 4 to 14 inches. A broad whorl of tubular, hooded flowers tops each stem with 10-20 flowers per cluster. Flowers of pedicularis c. are about an inch long and may be pale yellow, yellow, red, or even a mixture of the two. They tend to bloom in April and May for plants that have been established from the previous year. Leaves are soft and hairy at about 3 to 5 inches long. When it comes to harvest, gather the entire plant as flowers bloom and dry for later herb use. Uses: Wood Betony is a medicinal and edible herb. It was much used by Native Americans and prized for medicinal and aphrodisiac qualities. The leaves and stems are cooked as a pot herb. A medicinal infusion of the roots is used as a blood tonic for anemia and heart troubles, and it is used to treat stomach aches, ulcers, and bloody diarrhea. A medicinal poultice of the crushed root is applied to swellings, sore muscles, varicose veins, and tumors. The roots are finely grated and added to food as an aphrodisiac. A medicinal infusion of the fresh leaves or dried herb has been used to treat a sore throat, tonsillitis, cough and bronchitis. Infusions are also used to treat headaches, dizziness, urinary, bladder and kidney pain. Wash or dip in a strong decoction is to rid animals and people of lice and scabies.