Contents:
Common Names | Parts Usually Used | Plant(s) & Culture | Where Found | Medicinal Properties
Uses | How Sold | Warning | Bibliography
Scientific Names
- Linaria vulgaris
- Figwort family
Common Names
- Flaxweed
- Pennywort
- Wild snapdragon
- Yellow Toadflax
Parts Usually Used
The whole plant (fresh or dried)
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Butter-and-eggs is a perennial that grows 1-3 feet tall; with creeping underground stems and many erect, hairless flowering stems, clothed with linear, bright green leaves, and with long terminal flower spikes; has many lance-shaped leaves. Flowers are yellow and orange marked; snapdragon-like with long, straight, drooping spurs. The 2 shades of yellow have given this plant the common name butter-and-eggs. June to October. Fruits are capsules containing winged, flattened seeds.
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Where Found
Found in disturbed and waste places, on roadsides and in fields, throughout the United States and much of Canada. Native to Europe.
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Medicinal Properties
Diuretic, purgative, astringent
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Uses
In fold medicine, leaf tea is used as a laxative, strong diuretic for dropsy, jaundice, enteritis with drowsiness, skin diseases, piles, liver and bladder problems. Ointment made from the flowers is used externally for piles, skin eruptions, sores, and ulcers.
A “tea” made with milk has been used as an insecticide.
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How Sold
The salve is professionally prepared.
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Warning
The tincture is not to be self-administered, since even 20 drops can produce serious internal effects. Use only by medical direction.
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Bibliography
Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants
Webster’s New World Dictionary
An Instant Guide to Medicinal Plants
