Traditional Uses: Traditionally used in European and North American folk medicine as a poultice for skin conditions (rashes, eczema, wounds, ulcers), as a tea for coughs, colds, and digestive complaints, and as a diuretic for kidney and urinary issues.
Potential Benefits: May relieve itching and skin inflammation when applied topically, provide mild diuretic and expectorant effects, and exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-obesity activities in laboratory and animal studies.
Warnings: Avoid during pregnancy (potential uterine stimulation) and breastfeeding due to lack of safety data; rare cases of contact dermatitis have been reported, and excessive ingestion may cause nausea, diarrhea, or (poorly documented) paralysis.
