Helichrysum petiolare - Silver bush

Helichrysum petiolare, silver-bush everlastingflower

Helichrysum petiolare, known as silver-bush everlastingflower, licorice-plant, liquorice plant, trailing dusty miller and kooigoed, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to South Africa and introduced to Portugal and the United States of America.

Uses

• Its traditional common name of kooigoed translates as "bedding stuff" and it is still used to provide a soft and aromatic mattress. It is listed as a weed in the state of California.
• The essential oil has been investigated for its anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. In South Africa it forms a component of traditional African medicine. The leaves and twigs are boiled and prepared as a sort of tea to soothe coughs and fever.
• The leaves are also applied to wounds to prevent infection, and are ceremonially burnt to produce a traditional incense.
• In its ritual use, Imphepho is believed to invoke and placate the ancestors and to drive away malicious spirits; since these are regarded as common causes of illness in African traditional medicine, it is not surprising that Imphepho is a very important medicinal plant in African traditional medicine.
• The plant has proven anti microbial properties and appears to work effectively as pain relief and as an anti-inflammatory, probably due to various volatile oils and flavanoids.
• For pain relief and to treat coughs, colds, bronchitis and other chest infections the plant is burnt and the smoke inhaled.

External Links

• Helichrysum petiolare-Wikipedia