Medicinal Uses

Valuable for its antiscourbotic qualities and has been used as such from the earliest times. Culpepper 17th century says that bruised leaves or juice 1 to 2 ounces will free the face of blemishes and spots, dosage: expressed juice in 2 fluid ounces. Used as a specific in tuberculosis and useful against catarrh, chronic irritations and inflammations of skin, rheumatism, bladder and kidney complaints. Dosage Infusion, two teaspoon fulls in cup. It promotes appetite in a salad.

Edible Uses

Is widely cultivated in S.England in damned waterways for its chemical propeties and widely used as a salad vegtable. S.A.S. handbook recommends: "Do not confuse with hemlock. Leaves and stems edible raw in small amounts. Boil well if water polluted."