western stoneseed, Lithospermum ruderale

Western stoneseed is a widespread and easily recognizable perennial. Those characteristics correlate well with use as medicine. Efficacy does not. However, one use was for birth control, and animal tests have shown that it does inhibit fertility. Western stonecrop was also used as an analgesic, antirheumatic, antihemorrhagic, diuretic, antidiarrheal, disinectant, and good luck charm. No reason to believe any of that worked. The hard seeds were used in children's and ceremonial rattles, or ground for food. Western stonecrop grows in CA, CO, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY, AB, BC, and SK. Summit Co CO, 6/17/13. Borage family, Boraginaceae.