The Lakota name for Mirabilis means “plant to treat swelling.” And that’s exactly what it is used for. A simple poultice of the crushed plant can be applied to bumps, bruises, hangnails, even broken bones to speed up healing and take down swelling.
Linda Black Elk shows us it’s identifying characteristics of pretty purple flowers, opposite leaves (like the mint family), and round stems (unlike the mint family).
You don’t want to eat this pretty little plant!
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