medicinal herbs
Spanish Needles
Bidens bipinnata
Herb: Spanish Needles
Latin name: Bidens bipinnata
Family: Compositae
Medicinal use of Spanish Needles:
The root and seeds are popularly used as an emmenagogue and in the treatment of laryngeal and bronchial diseases. A tea made from the leaves is vermifuge. The leaves have been chewed as a treatment for sore throat. The plant juice is styptic and has been used as ear drops. An extract of the plant has bactericidal properties.Description of the plant:
Plant:
AnnualHeight:
100 cm(3 1/4 foot)
Flowering:
Septemberto October
Habitat of the herb:
Rocky woods, roadsides and waste places, often in sandy soils, Florida to Mexico, north to Massachusetts and New York.Edible parts of Spanish Needles:
Leaves and young shoots - cooked or used as a flavouring. Used as a vegetable. A tea is made from the flowering tops.Propagation of the herb:
Seed - sow mid to late spring in situ and only just cover the seed.Cultivation of Spanish Needles:
Rocky woods, roadsides and waste places, often in sandy soils, Florida to Mexico, north to Massachusetts and New York.Known hazards of Bidens bipinnata:
None knownPlant information taken from the Plants For A Future.