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Amber's Organics LLC Medical Herb Seed A-Z > Pearly Everlasting.
Pearly Everlasting.

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Price: $2.95
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Pearly Everlasting- Anaphalis margaritacea

Pearly Everlasting gets its rather odd name from two sources. Everlasting refers to the fact that the flowers are easily preserved when cut, hung upside down, and left to dry. Pearly is derived from the plant's species name, margaritacea, which means 'pearl-like'.

In addition to its somewhat odd name, pearly everlasting also has a slightly unusual design feature. While most plants with silvery leaves require dry, sunny planting conditions, pearly everlasting can tolerate moist conditions (if good drainage is provided) and some shade.

Importance as a caterpillar food source: The caterpillars of the American Lady Butterfly use pearly everlasting as a host plant. The caterpillars live as individuals in nests made of leaves and silk.

Importance as a butterfly nectar source: A source of nectar for a variety of butterflies.

 

MEDICINAL:
Anodyne, astringent, pectoral.
Said to be soporific.
Has been used for diarrhea, dysentary, pulmonary complaints, coughs, colds, pains in the breast.
Has been used in poultice form for sprains, bruises, boils, and painful swellings.
Decoction of the flowers and stalks has been applied as a fomentation for pained and bruised limbs and for bronchitis. Also the pained body parts could be rubbed with the herb which was tied up in a cloth bag.
Has been used as a vermifuge.
In powder form was used for hemorrhage.
Has been used externally for tumors and contusions.
From Gerarde's Herbal (1600's) (emphasis mine): The herb boiled in strong lye cleaned the hair of nits and lice. Used in wardrobes it repelled moths. Boiled in wine and drunk, it would kill intestinal worms. Was considered good medicine for bitings and stingings of "venomous beasts".
Smoking the herb or inhaling the smoke of the burning herb was at one time considered good for coughs of the lungs or headache.
The Montagnais used a decoction for coughing, consumption, and stomach sickness.
Mohegans steeped and drunk the infusion for colds.
Chippewas made a decocotion of the flowers mixed with wild mint and then sprinkled on hot stones for paralysis.
Mohawks used the herb for asthma as an infusion of the flowers made together with mullein root.
The Tete de Boule boiled the flowers and used the resulting decoction by applying it to burns and dermatitis.

50 seeds