Guess What Fleabane Kills?

This is fleabane, a kind of wild daisy somtimes described as a type of aster.

Guess what it kills?

Nothing!

Fleabane is named after the myth that a dried powder made from the plant discourages fleas. In fact, it has no effect.

Fleabane has, however, been used for centuries as a remedy (however imperfect) for internal and external bleeding, with dried plant material bound to wounds and a tea or oil made from the plants internally consumed. Of course, no one with access to modern styptic powders and vitamin k would turn to fleabane today. And, if you are in needs of quick fix for bleeding wound, running into a field to pick any of the over 400 species of fleabane is not likely to be a good option. Try black tea bags instead.