I think I’ve mentioned elsewhere on one or other of my websites (there goes the short-term memory again) that Greater Knapweed is another one of those wildflowers that has a strong medicinal lineage, probably dating back thousands of years and that it has certainly been used up until quite recently in the treatment of wounds, bruises, sores, scabs and ruptures. I do remember as a boy however, occasionally helping my Gran to prepare it in potion form as a cure for sore throats….I was always keen to learn about such things and she was always happy to teach me.According to the 17th Century herbalist, Nicholas Culpepper, “it is good for those who are bruised by any fall, blows or otherwise by drinking a decoction of the herb roots in wine and applying the same outwardly to the place”….Mmm, I don’t remember her telling me anything about wine though!

Meanwhile, the second part of its Latin name, Centaurea scabiosa, comes from the Latin meaning “roughness of the skin” (as in “scabies” too I guess), but it may also be down to the fact that wherever you find Greater Knapweed, you nearly alway see Field Scabious as well.