Once indigenous to North Africa and southern Europe,[3] but found in Ireland,[4] Wales and England and also in the highlands of Scotland.

The leaves have a bitter cabbage-like flavour and they are used either in salads or cooked as a leaf vegetable (in cultivar versions).

In folk medicine, it was used to soothe sore throats - indeed one French name for it is the herbe aux chantres (the singers' plant).

Jean Racine, writing to Nicolas Boileau, recommends him to try the syrup...in order to be cured of voicelessness.

"[7] It is "good for all diseases of the chest and lungs, hoarseness of voice...the juice...made into a syrup with honey or sugar, is no less effectual...for all other coughs, wheezing and shortness of breath...the seed is held to be a special remedy against poison and venom.