Christmas bush (langchat)
Chromolaena odorata · Asteraceae
A crossing plant — kept in both Haitian & Caribbean and Adriatic & Balkan traditions. Two shores, one root.
Christmas bush
langchat
Herbe du Laos
Chromolaena odorata
langlichatlangchatlangichatlangue chatte
Asteraceae
Traditionally used
Langlichat — a vigorous daisy-family shrub found along every Haitian roadside. The crushed fresh leaf is laid on cuts and wounds to stem bleeding and speed healing, a trusted first-aid herb of the yard. ⚠ It carries pyrrolizidine alkaloids — keep it to external wound care, not to prolonged internal use.
In three languages
Kreyòl — ⚠ Li gen alkaloyid pirolizidin ladan l — sèvi avè l sou po a sèlman, pa pou itilizasyon andedan kò a pandan lontan. Langchat se yon pyebwa vigore nan fanmi Astewasi a, li grandi sou tout bò wout Ayiti. Yo kraze fèy fre a epi mete l sou koupi ak blese pou sispann san koule epi fè blese a geri pi vit, se yon fèy premye swen moun fè konfyans nan lakou.
Français — Langlichat — arbuste vigoureux des Astéracées, présent le long de toutes les routes d'Haïti. La feuille fraîche écrasée s'applique sur coupures et plaies pour arrêter le saignement et hâter la cicatrisation, herbe de premiers soins de la cour. ⚠ Elle contient des alcaloïdes pyrrolizidiniques — réserver à l'usage externe, pas d'usage interne prolongé.
The crossing
Both plants carry pyrrolizidine alkaloids; the external-only line applies to both sides of the shore.
Safety
Safety notes for this plant are still being written. Until they are, treat it with a cautious hand.
Plants can look similar and be misidentified — always verify with a local herbalist or guide before use.
Sources & lineage
TRAMIL Caribbean pharmacopoeia; Haitian ethnobotany
Kept alongside