Groundsel is a common herb naturalized throughout Europe and Russia
while abundant in Britain growing at the height of 1600 feet.
Groundsel is known as weed and can be found in every part of Europe from
gardens to waste lands.
Groundsel weed has several species belonging to the Asteraceae family in
the genus Senecio.
Senecio vulgaris is small shrub growing to 10-41 cm tall and the leaves
bear out from the stem alternatively.
Leaves of groundsel are 61 mm long and 25 mm broad, pinnately lobed and
covered with fine soft hairs.
The flowers are cylindrical shaped growing in clusters having yellow
flower head and black tipped bracts at the base.
Groundsel is cultivated mainly as weed throughout the European countries
and in Britain growing at the height of 1600-1800 feet.
It is noxious weed usually found on the wastelands, gardens, roadsides,
river banks, orchards, vineyards and agricultural lands.
Dried herbs.
The chemical constituents present in groundsel are senecin and
seniocine.
Groundsel has been used since long time in medicinal uses and has
various actions of anthelmintic, antiscorbutic, diaphoretic, diuretic,
emmenagogue and purgative.
The infusion of groundsel is taken in fever and treating stomach
disorders.
The decoction of the groundsel leaves is applied to chapped hands.
The infusion of groundsel leaves makes a soothing dose of purgative and
strong infusion acts as emetic.