The flowers, roots, and oil of this plant are all used as herbal medicine, especially for bronchitis and hay fever. I remember mom would make an infusion/steam bath of the leaves to relieve chest and sinus congestion. It was once a popular flavoring in desserts and fish dishes. The roots are used to flavor liqueurs.

This is quite a stately herb that can reach up to 8 feet tall with large woolly green leaves and bright yellow spidery flowers. I'm still trying to propagate from seed. May need to find ripe seed and sow in the fall. It's supposed to be easy to propagate from root cuttings.

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In France and Switzerland, the plant is used in the manufacture of absinthe.

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