In France, the eau de arquebusade is still applied for sprains and bruises, being carefully made from many aromatic herbs. It was at one time included in the London Materia Medica as a vulnerary herb, but modern official medicine does not recognize its virtues, though it is still fully appreciated in herbal practice as a mild astringent and tonic, useful in coughs, diarrhea and relaxed bowels. It may be given either in infusion or decoction. Cockeburr contains a particular volatile oil, which may be obtained from the plant by distillation and also a bitter principle. Owing to this presence of tannin, its use has been recommended in dressing leather.
Astringent exhibits both tonic and diuretic properties.
Cockeburr has had a great reputation for curing jaundice and other liver complaints. It gives tone to the system and promotes assimilation of food. Cockeburr is also considered a very useful agent in skin eruptions and diseases of the blood, pimples, blotches, etc. A strong decoction of the root and leaves, sweetened with honey or sugar, has been taken successfully to cure scrofulous sores, being administered two or three times a day, in doses of a wineglassful, persistently for several months. The same decoction is also often employed in rural districts as an application to ulcers.