Ambrosia Artemisiaefolia is a plant native to North America but a widespread and common invasive weed in much of South America, Australia, and Eurasia.
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Uses
The leaves are very astringent. They are applied externally to insect bites and various skin complaints, internally they are used as a tea in the treatment of pneumonia, fevers, nausea, intestinal cramps, diarrhoea and mucous discharges. The juice of wilted leaves is disinfectant and is applied to infected toes. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of menstrual disorders and stroke. The pollen is harvested commercially and manufactured into pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of allergies to the plant.
Benefits
Ambrosia Artemisiaefolia is said to have many medicinal benefits; it can be used as an astringent, antiseptic, emetic, emollient, and a febrifuge (or fever reducer). Early Native American healers valued this plant for medicinal uses and took advantage of its topical and internal applications. Herbalists use Ambrosia Artemisiaefolia to relieve nausea, menstrual discomfort, and fever, and some Native American tribes have used the root of the ragweed plant to make tea that works as a laxative. The juice from crushed Ambrosia Artemisiaefolia leaves can be applied to insect bites or poison ivy rashes to soothe irritation. Ambrosia Artemisiaefolia pollen is sometimes used in natural hay fever therapies.
Cautions
- This is not a self-medicating plant, so please consult your doctor.
Interactions
- We currently have no information for Ambrosia Artemisiaefolia.
Other names
Ragweed, annual ragweed, bitterweed, blackweed, carrot weed, hay fever weed, Roman wormwood, stammerwort,stickweed, tassel weed, and American wormwood
References
Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambrosia_artemisiifolia
LewisGinter, http://www.lewisginter.org/ragweed-this-foe-may-be-a-friend-too/