Native Americans made a tea from the leaves to use as a gargle for sore throats. The tea was also thought to relieve gas and stomachaches and to loosen phlegm. It was used with Horehound to treat bronchitis, coughs and asthma. Used externally to treat rheumatism, muscle aches, wounds and sprains. Contains compounds being researched for controlling AIDS.

Edible Uses:
Leaves and Flowers: Raw or cooked. They are used as a flavouring in raw or cooked dishes. Excellent raw, they have a sweet aniseed flavour and are one of our favourite flavourings in salads. They make a delicious addition to the salad bowl and can also be used to flavour cooked foods, especially acid fruits.The only drawback to the leaves is that they tend to have a drying effect in the mouth and so cannot be eaten in quantity. A pleasant tasting tea is made from the leaves.

Medicinal Uses:
The leaves are cardiac and diaphoretic. An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of colds, fevers, weak heart etc. When left to go cold, the infusion is used to treat pains in the chest (such as when the lungs are sore from too much coughing).   A poultice of leaves and stems can be used to treat burns.