the common lousewort
has a magical power
humble mountain herb
camouflaged in shades of leaves
and beautiful curved flowers
Kim M. Russell, 2017
Image found on Pinterest
My response to Carpe Diem #1203 Pedicularis
In today’s episode of CDHK we are looking again at the alternative health care of Tibet. Chèvrefeuille tells us that the Tibetans have a very strong knowledge of natural medicines. Pedicularis is a rare medicinal herb that grows in the Himalayas, especially in the region of Tibet. The flowers are used in Tibetan medicine; they are said to have a bitter taste and a cooling potency, and are used in the treatment of poisoning, inflammation of the stomach/intestines, diarrhoea and to heal obstinate wounds and sores. Pedicularis can be used as a kind of tobacco and as tea, which tastes like broccoli.
writing in north norfolk 
I have never heard of this intriguing bloom. It is quite unique.
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It’s new to me, too! I had to look it up. There are so many different varieties and colours.
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An other nicely crafted tanka Kim … I also had never heard of this beautiful herb and its medicinal secrets.
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Thank you, Kristjaan, for your comment and for introducing me to interesting plants and other things that I would otherwise not learn about. ;).
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You’re welcome
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Wonderful poem and beautiful flower. I love the colour and it’s shape.
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Thank you! I’d never heard of this plant before and when I looked it up there were so many varieties, shapes and colours, some with pretty flowers and some weirdly shaped ones that took my breath away.
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oh wow. you gave justice to the flower. 🙂
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What a lovely tanka…you describe this herb so beautifully and I learned something in the process 🙂 cheryl-lynn
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So Stunningly Fabulous! 😎😎😎🌹
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