.png)
Several native American tribes used this plant.
Lakotas: tea for children, to aid with sore mouths tea for adults with urination issues
Navajo: used the plant to make lotions for headaches and body pains
Mesquakies: made powder from the dried flowers for a snuff for head colds or to dry up mucous conditions
Cherokee: infused the root for use in: coughs colds menstrual issues bad vision hemorrhaging kidney problems epilepsy gout female healing following a miscarriage
Ojibwa: used it for tuberculosis reduce or eliminate hemorrhaging
Blackfeet: diarrhea and dysentery
Catawba: used it for cardiovascular issues
Cheyenneboiled the plant in water and inhaled the steam for head colds and respiratory complaints.
Other tribes used fleabane for: stomach issues intestinal parasites rheumatism lameness insect repellant boil for a sweat lodge inhalant burn for natural insect repellant blossoms were mixed with brains, buffalo spleen and gall for hide tanning plant dye friction fires (the stalk) referred by some tribes as ‘fire-maker’.
Mexicans used fleabane for toothaches and to make tooth powder
Early settlers stuffed their mattresses with fleabane and hung clusters in the homes to drive away fleas, hence the name, however other sources claim it doesn’t work for fleas
Key Uses: Respiratory, cough with mucous discharge, Digestion, Diarrhea, Lack of appetite, Kidneys and Bladder problems, menstrual problems, postpartum bleeding, capillary or passive hemorrhage.
A root extract study found that it decreased acute inflammation in rats and reduced Nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2 and proinflammatory cytokines in mouse macrophages in vitro. The suggested mechanism is NF- κ B activation.
Leaf extracts of caffeic acid have been found to be antioxidant and neuroprotective to neuronal cells, making it a possible treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease
Essential oils were found to be antifungal towards five Candida species and antiproliferative against breast cancer MCF-7 cells
Specific phytochemical compounds were extracted from Fleabane and individually evaluated in vitro for inhibition of advanced glycosylated endproducts and aldose reductase, two of the things that cause damage to the body in diabetes. One of the compounds had the most potent inhibitory activity, plus prevented lens opacity ex vivo, indicating it may also be beneficial in preventing cataracts.
One compound, called erigeroflavanone prevented cellular death in glomerular mesangial cells of the kidney making it a potential treatment in renal complications by diabetes.
The USDA Forestry Service cites 390 known species of fleabane worldwide and about 173 species in North America. Similar plants to daisy fleabane – Erigeron annuus is Erigeron philadelphicus
Daisy Fleabane — Erigeron annuus — Common Names:
Horseweeds
Eastern Daisy Fleabane
Canadian fleabane
Fleabane daisy
Colt’s tail
Butter weed
Fireweed
Blood-stanch
Cow’s tail
Bitter weed
Scientific name: Erigeron annuus
Higher classification: Daisy family
Genus and Species: Erigeron canadensis
Subfamily: Asteroideae
Family: Asteraceae
WARNING: Do not take during pregnancy or if allergic to ragweed, daisies, and related plants. This information cannot be construed as medical advice. Always seek appropriate and direct guidance from trained practitioners.
Fleabane’s Medicinal Benefits Include Antimicrobial – leaves, root Antioxidant – quercetin, thymol and kaempferol Diuretic [10] Astringent – leaves Respiratory – flowers Congested cough – flowers Digestion Diarrhea Diabetes Loss of appetite Kidneys and Bladder Menstrual problems Obesity Postpartum bleeding Hemorrhage Kidney stimulant
Fleabane contains caffeic acid, which is beneficial for: Diabetes Obesity Supplements Inflammation Safe, even in large doses Inhibits cancer growth breast cancer colon cancer oral cancer cells
Antioxidant used in skin and body care products
Dr. Nicholas Culpeper, English botanist, herbalist, physician, astrologer, 1616-1654
Culpeper refers to this plant in his writings as well. He said the English call it ‘mullet’ and that it is a hot and dry plant. He states that, “The herb being spread under foot and smoked in any place, will drive away venomous creatures and will kill and destroy fleas and gnats. An ointment of the root and leaves is used with success for the itch.”