Kingdom Plantae Family Asteraceae Rank Species | Order Asterales Genus Pseudognaphalium | |
 | ||
Scientific name Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium Similar Pseudognaphalium, Solidago nemoralis, Gnaphalium, Erigeron strigosus, Solidago speciosa | ||
Plant portrait sweet everlasting pseudognaphalium obtusifolium
Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (formerly Gnaphalium obtusifolium) is a member of the Asteraceae family. Annual herb to one meter, stem white-tomentose, involucres 5–7 millimetres (0.20–0.28 in) long, cream colored or brown, with cream-colored flower heads. Leaves opposite, lance-linear, sessile, tomentose below and olive green above.
Contents
- Plant portrait sweet everlasting pseudognaphalium obtusifolium
- Alabama tribe
- Cherokee
- Choctaw
- Creek
- Koasati
- Menominee
- Montagnais
- Rappahannock
- References
P. obtusifolium is found on open dry sandy habitat throughout Eastern North America. Common names include old field balsam, rabbit tobacco and sweet everlasting. When crushed, the plant exudes a characteristic maple syrup scent.
Alabama tribe
The Alabama tribe use a compound decoction of it as a treatment for nervousness and sleepiness, and a decoction as a face wash for nerves and insomnia.
Cherokee
The Cherokee use it in a compound for muscle cramps, local pains, and twitching, and apply an infusion of it over scratches made over muscle cramp pain. It is also used internally with Carolina Vetch for rheumatism. A decoction is taken for colds, and the plant is also made into cough syrup. It is used in a sweat bath to treat various diseases, made into a warm liquid blown down throat for clogged throat (diphtheria), chewed for a sore mouth, smoked for asthma, and chewed for a sore throat.
Choctaw
The Choctaw use a decoction of leaves and blossoms taken for lung pain and colds.
Creek
The Creek add the leaves to medicines as a perfume, use a decoction to treat vomiting, as a throat wash for mumps, as a wash "for people who wanted to run away" and as a wash for people who are believed to be afflicted by ghosts. A decoction made of the plant tops is used as a wash for old people who are unable to sleep. They also use a compound decoction of plant tops as an inhalant for colds, and apply a poultice of decoction of leaves the throat for mumps.
Koasati
The Koasati take a decoction of the leaves for fevers, and use it to bathe those who are feverish.
Menominee
The Menominee steam the dried leaves as an inhalant for headaches, and as a treatment against "foolishness". They also smudge the leaves and use them to fumigate premises to dispel ghosts, and to bring back "loss of mind". This smudge is also used to revive unconscious patients. The leaf smoke is blown into the nostrils of people who have fainted.
Montagnais
The Montagnais use a decoction of the plant for coughing and tuberculosis.
Rappahannock
The Rappahannock Tribe take an infusion of the roots for chills, smoke an infusion of dried leaves or dried stems in a pipe for asthma, and chew the leaves for "fun".