[[File:Echinops echinatus-4-jodhpur-India.JPG|thumb|right]]
'''Echinops echinatus''' is an erect, spiny, annual plant with branches spreading widely from the base, It grows from a taproot, it can reach 30 - 100cm tall. It is a xerophytic herbaceous plant<ref name="NCBI - NLM Usnakantaka"/>. The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for use as a medicinal herb in India. It is sold in local markets. This plant is belongs to Asteracea family. <ref name="Plant family"/>
==Uses==
{{Uses|Coughs}}, {{Uses|Hysteria}}, {{Uses|Dyspepsia}}, {{Uses|Scrofula}}, {{Uses|Various eye problems}}, {{Uses|Brain disease}}, {{Uses|Chronic fever}}, {{Uses|Pains in the joints}}, {{Uses|Inflammations}}.
<ref name="How to plant/cultivate">[http://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Echinops+echinatus Cultivation]</ref>
<ref name="Plant family">Karnataka Aushadhiya Sasyagalu By Dr.Maagadi R Gurudeva, Page no:237</ref>
<ref name="NCBI - NLM Usnakantaka">Ethnomedicinal review of Usnakantaka (Echinops echinatus Roxb.) [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4557238/]</ref>
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