Łódź, Łagiewniki Forest

It is native to southern Europe, but widely spread in Poland. Bees feeding plant. Edible plant - young leaves raw or cooked; here has been an increase in interest in a number of Echium species because of the fatty acid composition of the seed oil. Herbal plant - the leaves and flowering stems are antitussive, aphrodisiac (!), demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, pectoral and vulnerary, an infusion of the plant is taken internally as a diuretic and in the treatment of fevers, headaches, chest conditions; the juice of the plant is an effective emollient for reddened and delicate skins, it is used as a poultice or plaster to treat boils and carbuncles; the roots contain the healing agent allantoin; the plant is said to be efficacious in the treatment of snake bites; when chopped up finely, the fresh flowering heads can be made into a poultice for treating whitlows and boils. Useful plant - a red dye is obtained from the roots.