The whole plant, gathered when in flower, is astringent, very actively diuretic and expectorant[4, 9, 61, 240, 254]. It appears to have an antispasmodic effect upon the bladder and is used in the treatment of dropsy, catarrh of the bladder, cystitis and kidney stones[240, 254]. It has also gained a reputation for treating hernias[4, 9, 61]. Externally, it has been used as a poultice to speed the healing of ulcers[254].