Knotgrass, Russian
Botanical: Polygonum erectum (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Polygonacea
---Synonym---Erect Knotgrass.
---Part Used---Whole herb.
---Habitat---British America, and Western and Middle States.
---Description---This perennial herb was discovered in North America in 1790, but up to date it has not been largely utilized. It is a variety of the English one - Polygonum aviculare, and has similar properties. It has an upright smooth branched stem and grows from 1 to 3 feet high. Leaves are smooth, broadly obvate, rather obtuse- 1 to 2 inches long - and about half as broad - either sessile or petiolate. Flowers bloom June to September in bunches at axils of the leaves.
---Medicinal Action and Uses---It is highly astringent as an infusion or decoction; useful in diarrhcea as an injection and in children's summer complaints; also as a good gargle and a valuable remedy for inflammatory diseases of the tissues.
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