Effect:
disinfectant, expectorant, antimicrobial, soothing
Areas of application:
Stimulates the immune system, sleep aid, toothache, mouth sores, body aches, sore throat, loosens mucus, mucous congestion, cough, tuberculosis, whooping cough, relieves skin burns, wounds, blisters, ulcers, insect bites, eczema, bruises, fungal infections, ringworm, athlete's foot, ringworm cruris, stomach problems, fever, headaches, abdominal pain, rheumatism, venereal diseases, dysentery
Plant parts used:
Leaves, stems, roots, sap
Collection time:
Summer, the root in autumn or spring
To find:
In western North America, it usually thrives at altitudes of 900 to 2500 meters.
Ingredients:
?
Miscellaneous:
The Arrowleaf Balsamroot is a long-lived, perennial, herbaceous plant that can grow to a height of 30 to 60 cm. Its basal, silver-green leaves grow up to 60 cm long and are arrow-shaped. The larger leaves are at the base of the plant, and the leaves become smaller toward the top of the stem. The leaves are woolly and covered with fine white hairs. The flower stalks grow from the root crown to a height of 15 to 75 cm. Each flower stalk has a flower head that resembles a sunflower with 8 to 25 yellow rays surrounding a disc. This plant grows from a deep taproot that extends up to 8 feet into the ground. It also has deep lateral roots that extend up to 90cm around the plant.
In the kitchen, the leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The stems should be peeled before consumption to remove their tough exterior. The seeds are nutritious and can be roasted like sunflower seeds. The root can be steamed or made into flour. It can also be used as a coffee substitute. The young above-ground parts of the plant can be used as a salad or as a culinary herb.
The Arrowleaf Balsamroot can be used for smoking.
The natives of North America used the thick plant sap as an antiseptic for wounds.