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 | Knapweed Other Names: Hardhead. Ironhead. Hard Irons. Churls Head. Logger Head
Botanical Name: Centaurea Scabiosa
Family: N.O. Compositae |
Description: |
The plant is a perennial, the rootstock thick and woody in old plants. The stem is 1 to 3 feet high, generally branched, very tough. The leaves, which are firm in texture, are very variable in the degree of division, but generally deeply cut into, the segments again deeply notched. The lower leaves are very large, often a foot or even more in length, making a striking looking rosette on the ground, from which the flowering stems arise. The whole plant is a dull green, sparingly hairy. It flowers in July and August. The flowers are terminal, somewhat similar to those of the Cornflower in general shape, though larger. All the florets are of the same colour, a rich purplish-crimson, the outer ray ones with the limb divided nearly to the base into narrow, strap-shaped segments. The flower-head is hard and solid, a mass of bracts lapping over each other like tiles, each having a central green portion and a black fringe-like edge. In some districts the plant is called from these almost round heads, 'Hardhead,' and the ordinary English name, Knapweed, is based on the same idea, Knap, being a form of Knop, or Knob.
This larger species of Knapweed was in olden times called 'Matte Felon,' from its use in curing felons or whitlows. As early as 1440 we find it called 'Maude Felone,' or 'Boltsede.'
This species is very common and generally distributed in pastures, borders of fields and roadsides throughout Britain, and flowers from early June till well into September. Both species of Knapweed may readily be distinguished from Thistles by the absence of spines and prickles. |
Habitat: |
| Frequent in the borders of fields and in waste places, being not uncommon in England, where it is abundant on chalk soil, but rare in Scotland. |
Medicinal Usage: |
The Knapweed was once in great repute as a vulnerary. It was included in the fourteenthcentury ointment, Save, for wounds and for the pestilence, and was also used with pepper for loss of appetite.
The root and seeds are used. Its diuretic diaphoretic and tonic properties are recognized.
It is good for catarrh, taken in decoction, and is also made into ointment for outward application for wounds and bruises, sores, etc.
Culpepper tells us: 'it is of special use for soreness of throat, swelling of the uvula and jaws, and very good to stay bleeding at the nose and mouth.' |
Ancient Lore: |
KNAPWEED (Common)
CENTAUREA SCABIOSA
It is of especial use for sore throat, swelling of uvula and jaws, and excellently good to stay bleeding, and heal up all fresh wounds.
A perennial, also known as Greater Knapweed, with broad, dark leaves, dented at the edges, and somewhat hairy. It bears dark purplish-red flowers.
Where to find it: It grows in moist places, borders of fields, hedges and on waste ground.
Flowering time: Early summer.
Astrology: Saturn owns this herb.
Medicinal virtues: It stops bleeding of the mouth and nose and veins that are broken inwardly. It is also good for those bruised by a fall. A decoction of the roots in wine is drunk and applied outwardly. It gently heals up running sores, both cancerous and fistulous, and will do the same for scabs of the head.
Modern uses: The roots and seeds have diuretic, diaphoretic and tonic properties. A decoction of the root made by boiling i oz (28 g) of the dried root in 2 pts (1.1 1) of water for 2o minutes is used in tablespoonful doses for catarrh. An ointment made by digesting the powdered root in hot paraffin wax, and straining, is useful for cuts and bruises. |
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