Senecio jacobaea is a very common wild flower in the family Asteraceae that is native to northern Eurasia, usually in dry, open places, and has also been widely distributed as a weed elsewhere.
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Uses
Despite serious safety concerns, tansy ragwort is used to treat cancer, colic, wounds, and spasms. It is also used as a laxative, to cause sweating, to start menstruation, and for “cleansing and purification.”
Some people apply tansy ragwort directly to the skin for muscle and joint pain.
Benefits
The plant is astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue and expectorant. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and is dried for later use. Use with caution, when applied internally it can cause severe damage to the liver. An emollient poultice is made from the leaves. The juice of the plant is cooling and astringent, it is used as a wash in burns, sores, cancerous ulcers and eye inflammations. It makes a good gargle for ulcerated mouths and throats and is also said to take away the pain of a bee sting. A decoction of the root is said to be good for treating internal bruises and wounds. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea and other female complaints, internal haemorrhages and other internal disorders.
Cautions
Caution is advised here since the plant is poisonous and some people develop a rash from merely touching this plant
Interactions
Please read the instructions and talk to your health practitioner!
Other names
Common names include ragwort, common ragwort, stinking willie, tansy ragwort, benweed, St. James-wort, ragweed, stinking nanny/ninny/willy, staggerwort, dog standard, cankerwort, stammerwort, mare’s fart and cushag. In the western US it is generally known as tansy ragwort, or tansy, though its resemblance to the true tansy is superficial.
References
Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacobaea_vulgaris
NaturalMedicinalHerbs, http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/s/senecio-jacobaea=ragwort.php