Lyra Health Dictionary

Senecio jacobaea. N.O. Compositae.

Synonym: Dog Standard, Fireweed, Ragweed, St. James's Wort, Staggerwort, Stinking

Nanny.

Habitat: Pastures and waysides, especially near the sea-coast.

Features ? Stem erect, striate, tough, two to three feet high. Leaves alternate, lower lyrate-pinnatifid, stalked; upper bi-pinnatifid, sessile. Yellow flowers (July and August) florets of the ray smooth, of the disc hairy. Root consists of many long, thick fibres.

Part used ? Herb.

Action: Diaphoretic, detergent, antiseptic.

In coughs, colds, influenza, catarrhs, and for the relief of sciatica and rheumatic pains, wineglass doses of the ounce to pint decoction are taken as needed. Makes a good gargle, and is applied externally to ulcers and wounds. Ragwort ointment is prepared from the fresh herb and used for inflammation of the eyes.... ragwort

CHINESE PRESCRIPTION. Decoction of:– 2 liang of each of the following fresh plants: Pai-ying (Solanum lyratum), Oldenlandia diffusa, Lobelia radicans, Scutellaria barbarta. If dried, use half quantity. Drink as tea. For severe pain add Ch’ing-mu-hsiang (Aristolochia debilis), 1 liang. Take with rice-polishing water. For haemoptysis, add 1 liang chi’hsueh-t’eng (Millettia reticulata). For severe coughing add yin-yang-huo (Epimedium sagittatum) and ai-ti-ch’a (Ardisia japonica), 3 ch’ien of each. Advised for cancer of the lungs, liver, cervix and nasopharynx. ... cancer