medicinal herbs
Brittle Bush
Encelia farinosa
Herb: Brittle Bush
Latin name: Encelia farinosa
Family: Compositae
Medicinal use of Brittle Bush:
A decoction of the blossoms, leaves and stems has been held in the mouth to alleviate a toothache. A poultice of the plant has been used to alleviate pain.Description of the plant:
Plant:
DeciduousShrub
Height:
75 cm(2 feet)
Flowering:
MayHabitat of the herb:
Dry stony slopes to 1000 metres.Edible parts of Brittle Bush:
A gum that exudes from the ends of mature stems is used for chewing. It is aromatic.Other uses of the herb:
A resin that exudes from the ends of mature stems is used as a glue and as an incense in the home and in church. It has also been used to waterproof containers and has been melted then used as a varnish. The resinous branches have been used to make a quick fire.Propagation of Brittle Bush:
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed and pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter, making sure the pots are deep enough to accommodate the tap root, and plant out in early summer. Cuttings, in pure sand, in a frame. The report does not specify the type of cutting.Cultivation of the herb:
Dry stony slopes to 1000 metres.Known hazards of Encelia farinosa:
None knownPlant information taken from the Plants For A Future.