Salvia lyrata, Lyre-Leaved Sage, Cancerweed

Salvia lyrata, Lyre-Leaved Sage, Cancerweed is a native plant. Whole plant was reportedly used by the Cherokee used in an infusion for colds, coughs, nervousness, as a mild diaphoretic, and to treat mild diarrhea. Root and leaves bruised, a folk remedy for cancer and warts. According to A. Clapp's 1851 Report on Medical Botany, "The fresh radical leaves of this plant, when bruised and applied to warts, generally destroy them. It is necessary to continue the application a day or two, and to renew it every twelve hours. It is also one of the many plants erroneously supposed to cure cancers." Hot or cold infusion of the leaves used to induce sweating.

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