In the past it was used as a wound dressing on battlefields because its fluffy leaves are absorbent and contain antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. These qualities also make it a suitable emergency substitute for bandages, sanitary pads and toilet paper.
Other Medicinal Uses
As well as their direct application uses, if you drop a few hand-crushed leaves into boiling water, and let it cool, you can use the solution to wash wounds, to rinse eyes (pinkeye and sties), to gargle for sore throats and to gently wash a baby’s bottom!
Want to grow it? There are techniques here and here.