SALAD BURNET
Sanguisorba minor
Common name: Salad Burnet
Latin name: Sanguisorba minor
Other names: Lesser Burnet, Small Burnet, Garden Burnet
Family: Rosaceae
Habitat: Grassland, calcareous, poor and dry soils. Native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Description: Evergreen perennial shrub. It grows to 0, 3 meters. Leaves are pinnate, featherlike. Leaflets are rounded, with toothed margins. Flowering occurs from May until August. Flowers are very small, with four little petals, white or red in color.
Parts used: Whole plant.
Useful compounds: Vitamin C, tannins
Medicinal use: Apart from its use in cuisine, as salad (due to its cucumber-like flavor), Salad Burnet has some medicinal properties. As the name suggests (sanguisorba means “blood drink”) it was originally used to stop internal bleeding and hemorrhages. It also helps healing external wounds and sunburns. It is generally regarded as styptic, astringent and cordial.
Safety: Some herbs could react with certain medication. Therefore, it is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption of any herb.