Cowage (Noun)
Meaning 1
The annual woody vine of Asia having long clusters of purplish flowers and densely hairy pods; cultivated in southern United States for green manure and grazing.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
Pods of the cowage plant or the stinging hairs covering them; used as a vermifuge when mixed with e.g. honey.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The cowage plant had pods that were covered in irritating hairs that caused skin inflammation.
- To treat parasites, the cowage was mixed with honey to create a relatively palatable vermifuge.
- In traditional medicine, cowage was valued for the irritating properties of its hairs, which could be used to stimulate blood flow.
- After handling the cowage, she carefully washed her hands to prevent the stinging hairs from causing discomfort.
- The cowage pods were gathered for their strong irritating properties, which made them useful in a variety of treatments.