In traditional medicine the following notes refer to the species of this plant. The leaves and root are anodyne, antibacterial, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant and tonic. The plant is said to be extremely efficacious when used as a local application in the treatment of sore throats and gonorrhoea[Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984]. It is also used in treating kidney diseases. The leaves are harvested in the summer, the roots in the autumn. Both can be used fresh or dried[Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995].