Herbs N Weeds

Get To Know: Hawkweed

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How to Identify Hawkweed
Key Features:
  • Botanical Name: Hieracium spp. (most commonly Hieracium pilosella, also called Pilosella officinarum)
  • Common Names: Mouse-ear hawkweed, yellow hawkweed, king devil, devil’s paintbrush (orange-flowered types)
  • Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
    • Description:
    FeatureDetailsHeight4–12 inches (10–30 cm)LeavesOblong or spoon-shaped, covered in fine hairs, form a basal rosetteStemLeafless, hairy, often reddish or purplish, one flower per stalkFlowersBright yellow, dandelion-like, bloom in late spring–summerGrowth HabitSpreads via runners/stolons, forming dense mats
    Habitat:
    • Dry, sandy soils, meadows, roadsides, rocky clearings
    • Native to Europe and Asia, now naturalized in North America

      • The app that I use on my phone and recommend is Plantnet.

      Historical Uses of Hawkweed
      Ancient & Traditional Uses:
      • The name “hawkweed” comes from the ancient belief (from Pliny the Elder) that hawks ate the plant to sharpen their eyesight.
      • Used traditionally as a diuretic, lung remedy, and wound herb.
      • Employed in European folk medicine for:
        • Coughs and bronchitis
        • Kidney and bladder issues
        • Bleeding and wounds (applied topically)
        • In Welsh and British herbal traditions, it was used as a tonic for the lungs and eyes.
          • Medicinal Benefits (Modern Herbalism)
          1. Respiratory Support
          • Acts as a mild expectorant and astringent, useful in:
            • Chronic coughs
            • Bronchitis
            • Asthma
            • Whooping cough
            • Helps to tighten and tone mucous membranes in the respiratory tract
              • 2. Diuretic & Kidney Support
              • Promotes urination and detoxification
              • Used in traditional remedies for urinary tract infections, fluid retention, and edema
                • 3. Antiseptic & Wound Healing
                • Traditionally applied to cuts, scrapes, and skin irritations
                • The leaves were often chewed or crushed into a poultice
                  • 4. Eye Health (Historical/Folk Use)
                  • Based on the hawk legend, some traditions used it in eye washes (diluted infusions), though this is more symbolic and anecdotal
                    • How to Use Hawkweed
                    Parts Used:
                    • Aerial parts: leaves, flowers, and stems (fresh or dried)
                      • Common Preparations:
                      FormUseInfusion (tea)Internal use for coughs, kidney health, respiratory cleansingTinctureConcentrated form for lung conditions or urinary tract supportPoultice or washFor wounds, bruises, or minor bleedingSyrupMade from a strong infusion with honey for persistent coughs
                      Basic Hawkweed Tea (Infusion) Recipe

                      Ingredients:

                      • 1–2 tsp dried hawkweed (or 2 tbsp fresh)
                      • 1 cup boiling water

                        • Instructions:
                        Steep for 10–15 minutes. Strain and drink 1–3 times per day.

                        Safety and Precautions
                        • Generally considered safe when used in moderate amounts.
                        • Not extensively studied in modern science, so use with care if pregnant, breastfeeding, or on medications.
                        • May enhance the effects of diuretics—monitor for dehydration.
                        • Avoid harvesting from roadside or polluted areas due to potential contamination.
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                          Herbs N WeedsBy Luke