52 WEEKS::Orange Hawkweed

Orange Hawkweed is found in meadows, along roadsides and ditches and often in rocky and disturbed areas.  The plant was named because it was once thought that eating the flowers improved a hawk's vision.  The milky substance found in the leaves, stems and roots was used as a type of chewing gum by tribes in western Canada.

One type of Hawkweed, known as Mouse-ear, is still used in a tincture by herbalists to treat affections of the lungs such as whooping cough because of its properties as an expectorant.  Also, the bruised or powdered leaves were used as an astringent, both internally and externally, to stop bleeding.