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The complete herbalist : or the people their own physicians by the use of nature's remedies : describing the great curative properties found in the herbal kingdom.

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THE

COMPLETE HERBALIST;

OB, THE

PEOPLE THEIR OWN PHYSICIANS,

BY THE trSE OF

NATURE'S REMEDIES:

DESCRIBINO

GREAT CURATIVE PROPERTIES FOUND IN THE HERBAL KINGDOM.

A NEW AND PLAIN SYSTEM OF HYGIENIC PRINCIPLES. TOGETHER WITH

COMPREHENSIVE ESSAYS ON SEXUAL PHILOSOPii Z,

MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, &c.

By Dr. O. PHELPS BKOWN.

PRICE, TWO DOLLARS.

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR,

JERSEY CITY, N. J.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by Dk. O. PHELPS BKOWN, In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF MEDICINE.

In presenting this work on Crude Organic Remedies — the Constit- aents of Plants, and their OflEiciiial Preparations — I do not propose to "run a tilt" against any of the systems of Medical Practice, however much some of them may be opposed to common sense and reason, and to the Divine ordinances of Nature ; nor shall I treat with contempt the teachings and practices of great and wonderful names, or oppose the pride, interest, expectation, and conscientious convictions of a learned, honorable, and influential profession ; my object is simply to present many new and curious, if not startling facts, not only well worthy of the earnest consideration of the more intelligent portion of the community, who demand reasons the most profound to lead them to conviction of a Truth, but of the great mass of humbler people, who desire, amid all the great Reforms in human society, above all things to secure a " sound mind in a sound body,'''' and to feel something of that exalted state of happiness which alone can arise from the posses- sion of the most robust and rubicund physical and moral Health.

It must be palpable to every thinking mind that Therapeutical and Pharmaceutical science is the very foundation of the "Healeng Art DivrNE." In the language of Holy Writ, " TJie Lord has created medi- cines out of the earthy and he that is wise will not abhor them.''''*

Yea, happy he that can the knowledge gain, To know the Eternal God made naught in vain."

The use of medicine is no doubt coincident with the History of the Human Race ; but writers generally agree that medicine first became a profession among the Egyptians. The priests of the earlier natioas

Ecclesiastes xxxviii, 4.

4 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

were the practitioners of the Healing Art, but it does not seem that women were excluded from the right of administering medicine for the purpose of healing the sick, since mention is made of a certain Queen Isis, who became greatly celebrated among them, and was worshipped as a "Goddess op Health." Although the practitioners among the Egyptians, Assyrians, and Jews were in the habit of employing incan- tations, which, of course, produced their good and bad impressions through the medium of the imagination, yet their eflficiency in curing diseases was mainly due to their knowledge of the medicinal virtues of many of the vegetable products of Nature. They seemed to look up as high as the stars to know the reason of the operation of the Herbs in the various affections of the human race.

Among the Greeks, Hippocrates first caused medicine to be regarded as a science^ while .^sculapius was the first who made medicine an ex- clusive study and practice. His sons, Machaon and Podalirius, are celebrated in Homer's "Iliad " for their medical skill as surgeons in the Greek armies or during the Trojan war. Two daughters also of -i^scu- lapius, Panakeia and Hygeia, were no less distinguished than their renowned brothers; the latter being the inventor of many valuable herbal preparations, whose success in curing diseases won for her, as in the case of Queen Isis of Egypt, the proud honor and deification of the Greeks as an especial " Goddess of Health." We have no knowledge that JEsculapius or his immediate followers, the Asclepiadae, ever con- ceived the idea of curing disease by drug or mineral preparations. Ab- lutions, bandages, fomentations, ointments, etc., were administered externally, and preparations of aromatic herbs, roots, flowers, balms, gums, etc. , constituted their whole materia medica for all internal ail- ments. Next the Pythagorean school became famous, and these were the first to visit the sick at their homes.

The next most prominent medical practitioner after these was Hip- pocrates, the "Coan Sage," who, being one of the most sagacious, observing, and industrious men that ever lived, was entitled the , '''■Father of Medidney He traveled much in foreign countries, devot- ing himself with untiring energy to the study and practice of medicine. His writings were numerous, and even to this day his doctrines are ex- tensively recognized. His practice was consistently founded on the phenomena of Nature as exhibited in human beings during health and disease. His materia medica was derived almost wholly from the vege- table kingdom. His internal remedies were purgatives, sudorifics, diuretics, and injections, while his external were ointments, plasters, liniments, etc. The great principle which directed all his operations was the supposed operations of Nature in superintending and regulat- ing all the actions of the system. This mode of practice had the good effect of enabling the practitioner to make himself well acquainted with

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. O

all the phenomena of disease, and thus to diagnosticate correctly, and to meet the varied indications by the administration of some h&rbal remedy, which would induce the crisis requisite to the removal of dis- ease and restoration to sound or vigorous health.

About three hundred years before the Christian era, the Ptolemies founded a medical school in Alexandria, Egypt. The most famous of the professors were Erasisteatus and Herophilus, who dissected the bodies of criminals obtained from government. They opposed bleeding and violent remedies, trusting more to nature than to art. Herophilus paid particular attention to the action of the heart, and was the first to give anything hke an accurate description of the various kinds of pulse, though Praxagoras of Cos, the last of the Asclepiadse, had before observed the relation which exists between the pulse and the general condition of the system. From that time to the present the pulse has been, as it were, the guide for determining the character, ex- tent, and probable cause of the disease afflicting the patient, and the description of treatment required to produce a change for the better. I, however, derive great assistance from the temperament, age, sex, etc.

We pass over the days of the Dogmatics and Empirics, the Pneu- matics, and other sects of medical practitioners (who, though they em- ployed herbal remedies as a general rule, were strangely given to the promulgations of theories and doctrines utterly at variance with the most ordinary ratiocinations of Philosophy and Reason), until we come to the period when Galen first made his appearance, at the request of the Emperor AuREi-ius. Galen was a native of Pergamos, bom A.D. 130, having traveled much and written largely on subjects^ directly or indirectly connected with medicine before settling himself at Rome. He was entirely independent in his opinions, paid very little respect to authority, and so great was his learning and wisdom, and rare skill in medicine, that he came to be regarded by many as an "Oracle." Thoroughly educated in all the schools of philosophy, he selected from them all except the Epicurean, which he totally rejected. His treatment of disease was principally by Herbal remedies. From Galen have sprung the sect that is now generally known as Eclectics, who do not confine remedies exclusively to the herbal practice, but employ many of the mineral substances upon which the Allopathic and Homoeopathic sys- tems of medicine of the present day are based, I

About the middle of the seventeenth century, on the death of Pau- LUS, the Greek school of medicine terminated, the Arabians having conquered a large portion of the semi-civilized world, and destroyed an immense Alexandrian Ubrary, The Arabian physicians soon adopted the opinions of Galen, but, owing to the invention of chemistry, it was BpeedUy made subservient to medicine. They produced medical works, Bome of which have enjoyed great celebrity, without having really added

6 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

anything substantial to medical science as previously understood. With AvERROES terminated the Arabic or Saracenic School of medi- cine, the great reputation of which is mainly owing to the circumstance, that from the eighth to the twelfth centuries, when all Europe was sunk in deep barbarism, the principal remains of a taste for literature and science existed among the Moors and Arabs. Their physicians added many vegetable products and a few metallic oxides in the cata- logue of remedies. From the employment of chemical and mineral remedies by the Arabian physicians may be dated the disastrous conse- quences of medical science that were subsequently inaugurated by that Prince of Quacks — Paracelsus.

After the Arabians, from the twelfth to the fifteenth century, the practice of medicine was chiefly confined to the hands of the priests, who, being men of great learning and followers of ^sculapius, Hippocra- tes, and Galen, became the principal physicians, and a little medicine was taught in the monasteries ; for a long time the Benedictine monks of Monte Casino enjoyed in this respect great reputation. The Jews also became celebrated physicians ; and though not allowed to adminis- ter medicines to Christians, yet obtained access to the courts, and even to the palace of the Roman pontiffs.

The European feudal system was at length greatly shaken by the Crusades. Mahomet the second, about the middle of the fifteenth cen- tury, captured Constantinople, and soon after the ruin of the Byzantine empire the Reformation occurred, and about the same time the art of printing was invented. These events gave a powerful impulse to the world of mind, and reawakened investigation into all the departments of science, literature, and the arts ; but, although many works were writ ten, very few facts were gleaned concerning the physiological, anatomi cal, and pathological phenomena incident to the Structure, Health, and Disease of the human being.

The alchemic art, however, was at length transferred from Arabia into European countries, and medical chairs were established in various Universities on the continent during the thirteenth century, and finally Lin acre, who had been educated at Oxford, and having traveled in Italy, and spent some time at the court of Florence, returned to England, and succeeded in founding medical professorships at Oxford and Cambridge, from which circumstance was laid the foundation of the London Col- lege of Physicians. Thus chemistry, after having been employed in various pharmaceutical processes, was appHed to physiology, pathology, and therapeutics. The chemical doctors were very wild and extrava- gant in advancing unnatural theories ; but they had an ever-present champion in the name of Galen, who was well entitled to be called the "Prince of Medical Philosophers." He was a philosopher — a natural philosopher ; for he studied Nature closely, deeply, profoundly, and de-

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 7

duced his indications of cure from an accurate observation of her laws. His system, however, was destined to be utterly overthrown by an ad- venturous vagrant, whose quackery never had its equal on earth. This impudent and unprincipled charlatan was none other than Paracelsus, to whom the medical world is more indebted for the mineral drugging system than to all other physicians who have ever lived. He introduced the mercurial and antimonial practice, which still constitutes the great strength of the popular materia medica of the day, and which also con- tinues to exhibit its terribly devastating power on all human constitu- tions that come under its sway or influence. In the fulness of his pride, pomp, and arrogance, Paracelsus burned, with great solemnity, the works of Galen and Avicenna, declaring that he had found the phi- losopher's stone, and that mankind had no further use for the medical w«rks of others. He lived a disappointed vagabond, and died prema- turely at the age of forty-eight, his famous elixir vitce. having failed to save him from a most horrible fate. Still his abominable doctrines pre- vailed, and his infatuated followers have added several hundred other chemical or mineral ^preparations to the materia medica of the great Quicksilver Quack. At the present day, among a certain class of phy- sicians, there is hardly a disease in the catalogue of human ailments in which the employment of mercury, antimony, arsenic, and other deadly drugs is not employed.

During the seventeenth century the. doctrines of Hippocrates again rose to some consideration in medical philosophy. Anatomy made pro- gress. Harvey discovered the circulation of the blood ; others traced out the absorbent system, and explained the functions and structure of the lungs; while Boyle disengaged chemistry from the mystery by which it was surrounded, and explained its true province to be, "not the manufacture of solid gold, nor Hquid nostrums, nor gaseous theories, but an investigation into the change of properties which bodies expe- rience in their action upon each other."

From this time to the beginning of the eighteenth century, notwith- standing many facts had accumulated in chemistry, anatomy, and phys- iology, physicians, as a body, held no more natural views of the true nature of disease than were advanced by Hippocrates, three thousand years before. Indeed, it is positively certain that none of the most eminent new schools or sects of the present day had been more success- ful in curing diseases than were Hippocrates, Galen, and Sydenham. Meantime, however, there have arisen physicians, who, while they readily received aU new facts in respect to the structure of the human organism, still adhered to the instinctive inductions of Nature, and treat- ed diseases with most abundant success by means of Herbal prepara- tions alone. We have at this day as bright a galaxy of names — scholars, philosophers, philanthropists, and humanitarians — as ever adorned any

8 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

age of the world, devoting- themselves with a zeal and industry worthy of all praise to the study and practice of medicine, but, failing to per- ceive the grand results anticipated in their laborious researches after truth, do not hesitate to admit that our actual information does not in- crease m any degree in proportion to our experience. All their array of learning, and their multitudinous writings, have only served to make confusion worse confounded, and all from the very simple fact that they have neglected to follow the requirements of Nature and common sense, in maintaining the Herbal Practice as the only true and philosophical foundation of the Healing Art. Amidst all the jarrings, conflicts, and dogmas of the medical world, is it any wonder that the great masses are rapidly losing all confidence in Medical Science, and crying for a more natural system of medication — even one founded in the principles of irrefragable Nature ? With this view I have devoted many years of my life, and having traveled in numerous lands, I feel that I am now quali- fied, from a long medical experience and deep research into the physi- ology of Plants, to present to the world of suffering humanity all those curative elements best calculated to ensure perfect health, and the ut- most length of life, to all who may feel disposed to be guided by the doctrines and system of medication which it is the object of this volume to make known.

THE HEEBAL WOELD.

In the foregoing pages we have seen, that from the earliest period in the history of the human race to the present time, the administration of the juices and essences of Herbs and Plants, in all forms of disease, has ever been considered by judicious and philosophical minds as the most rational and natural means of reUeving the economy of all abnor- mal obstructions and derangements, and restoring all the functions to their original or primitive vigor and healthful working. Notwithstand- ing the innovations of the mineral practice, I have ever held most rigidly to the Herbal System of medication ; but having failed to meet with the success reasonably anticipated by pursuing the ordinary routine of The- rapeutics, I was finally led to reject the many changes in medical doc- trines and practice, and start forth on a path of investigation of my own into the mysteries of the mineral and vegetable Kingdoms, espe- cially as they might bear upon the health and happiness of the human being ; accordingly, early in my professional career I attempted, by proper chemical analyses and practical experiment, to determine the best specific means for the healing of the maladies of mankinr' • The

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 9

results of these researches, since confirmed by many years' successful medical experience based upon them, have but the more strongly strengthened my opposition to the use of all the mineral preparations of the modem schools of medicine, and to establish my faith all the more firmly in the employment of herbal elements exclusively — whether in the materia of roots, barks, seeds, or flowers — as the surest and safest means for the thorough eradication of every form of disease.

In saying all this, however, I do not deny the fact that many mineral substances enter into the composition of the human being, and are ne^ cessary for his full health and perfection — as chalk or lime is requisite to form bone, iron to enrich or strengthen the blood, and other mineral substances for the formation of the tissues, as phosphorus for the tissues of the brain and nerves, etc. — but I stoutly contend that all such inor- ganic substances are taken up by plants and distributed to the various tissues and elements of the human being, either in the way of food or medicine, in exactly the precise quantity requisite for man's perfect health, if rightly used, neither in excess or diminution, agreeably to the laws of Nature ; and their virtues are thus prepared and eliminated in a way far superior to any chemical manipulation ever conceived or known to man, with all the elements of chemical science at his command. That this is the case is demonstrated by chemical analyses of plants. Coca contains phosphorus ; twinleaf, the salts of potassa, lime, iron, magnesia, silica, etc. ; the houseleek, super-malate of lime ; Matico, the salts of lime, iron, sulphur, etc. Spongia nsta, carbon, silica, sodium, lime, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus, either in combination or free ; coffee, chlorogenate of potassa ; in fact, all the chemical elements com- posiag the organism of man are also found in plants. The reader will find these chemical elements given in the history of plants. I also refer him to page 385, where, in the article " Treatment of Chronic Diseases," will be found a full explanation of the author's specialty in curing chronic disorders by chemically prepared herbal remedies.

The herbal physician has, moreover, decided advantages over the mineral physician, with reference to the administration of mineral sub- stances. He gives them in natural combinations — in such chemical as- sociation which, for exactness and propriety, can only occur in the great laboratory of Nature ; while the dispenser of mineral drugs gives them wholly as isolated elementary principles, as furnished by the inorganic chemist, who, like all humans, is liable to err. Let us illustrate this advantage by iodine. The algae, such as the fuci and laminarm (deep- sea-water plants, growing at the depth of three hundred fathoms), furnish this principle in abundance. The mineral physician, not content to administer the alterative in the best possible combination, as it exists in the sea-weed, subjects the plants to chemical operations, releases the iodine, and then either exhibits it by itself or in association with sodium, 1*

10 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

potassium, mercury, etc. The true herbal physician acts more wisely in this respect : he administers the plant in substance, tincture, extract, etc., and has the consciousness that the iodine which Nature furnishes him is pure, and not the inferior adulterated article of commerce. In plants where its chemical nature may be concentred into one compound principle, and the residue but inert matter, it is judicious to separate it from the plant, but radically wrong to release but one simple elementary mineral quality of the plant.

The advocate of mineral medication may retort by asking the use of administering- the whole plant, when the iodine alone constitutes its therapeutical value. Why give the refuse matter with the iodine ? To this sophistical argument and foolish inquiry I will reply, Why eat the whole peach, when its flavor only makes it pleasant as an edible ? Why not release the flavor and fatten on that delectable principle ?

The best argument, however, in favor of herbal medication, and one which establishes it as the correct philosophy, is the comparison of re- sults from both systems ; and with these the author became fully ac- quainted by practical experiment, and which led him, and not prejudice, to adopt exclusively the herbal system of medication. I may justly claim this system of practice, in its most important relations, as solely my own, and for which I have been the recipient of all encouragement of scientific men and societies ; but the homage that I value most, and which afforded the motive and stimulated my ambition, is the gratitude of almost numberless invalids whom I have thus been enabled to cure of diseases which were pronounced, and in fact are, incurable by physi- cians who rely upon minerals for their agents of cure.

The true theory of disease and its cure is embodied in two chemical forces, which, like the currents of electricity, are positive and negative. Thus, if the positive force of disease is manifested upon any organ, it disturbs the harmony and functional action of that organ, and the dis- organization will continue as long as the negative force of cure is not placed in antagonism with it, to neutralize the activity of the positive force. When this is done the autonomy of the organ is re-established, and its function becomes again natural and healthful.

Again, if upon discovery any organ or tissue becomes deficient in its chemical elements, it must be supplied by such plants as contain them ; or if any organ or tissue becomes surcharged with its chemical constituents, negative chemical elements must be exhibited to reduce them to their normal quantities. See article on ' ' Treating Diseases Chemically," page 385.

These forces in various ways control the whole organic world. Increase the centrifugal force, and the earth flies into space ; remove the centripe- tal, and it rushes headlong to the sun. If they are as they exist, coequal, the earth rolls on in its orbit in grand precision and admirable harmony.

THE COMiPLETE HERBALIST. 11

Having thus philosophized, and finally realized that the entire uni- verse was composed of contrary elements — of negative and positive prin- ciples— yet that the whole worked, or acted, in the most perfect harmony, agreeably to the wisdom of a Great First Cause, when such elements were not disarranged or disturbed by any violation of the laws of pristine Nature^ I was soon led to a logical deduction of the general laws which govern the virtues or medicinal properties of all the varieties of plants, with a view to employ them as remedial agents in the cure of disease. In a word, I found in the being, man, an epitome of all creation — found in his organism all the elements of universal nature — and necessarily discerned that, as there are summer and winter, night and day, in regu- lar and systematic succession, such alternations of nature could not but have the most important influences in respect to the health and diseases of the human being — Heaven's last, most perfect work. I realized that, in accordance with the various operations of nature, man remained ia health, or became afflicted with disease. Hence it became necessary for me to fully understand or comprehend the cause of any departure from the normal or natural condition of man, and to provide the cure, or the remedy best adapted for the restoration of the equilibrium of the functions of his entire organism.

I ascertained by experiment what was before a preconceived idea, that plants afforded the best agents to antagonize the force of disease, and to re-establish the integrity of any organ or tissue assailed. The discovery was made apparent, however, that indiscriminate selection of medicinal plants was injudicious, and that the curative property of a plant was developed only in proportion as certain essential conditions were provided. These conditions proved to be those necessary to the full health of man, viz. , proper climate, air, and food.

The first great essential of a plant which is to be selected for its medical quahties is its nativity. If iadigenous to the locality or coun- try wherein found, it is a proper one to select. Plants that are iutro- duced from other countries are lessened or deprived of their virtues, unless they meet in their new home aU the essential conditions pos- sessed in their native place.

The geographical distribution of plants is affected by climatic in- fluences, constituents of soil, heat, moisture, altitude of situation, etc. The flowers, shrubs, and trees which adorn the plains of India and South America, are not the same with those which clothe the valleys of England and North America. Nor are their medicinal properties the same, however those herbal products may resemble each other. The plants- which flourish on the sea-shore of Great Britain are not the same as those on the coast of Africa, nor are these, again, allied to the mari- time vegetation of Chili, South America. Nearly all the beautifxiJ plants which adorn our green-houses are natives of a limited space near

12 THE COMPLETE HEKBALIST.

the Cape of Good Hope, as are also many of our most beautiful bulbs ; but the medicinal properties of all become weakened and cJianged by transplantation. The curious stafelias, that smell so offensively, are found wild only in South Africa. They are there used for medical purposes by the Aborigines. The trees that bear balsam grow principal- ly in Arabia and on the banks of the Red Sea. The umbelliferous and ciucif erous plants spread across Europe and Asia. The Cacti are found only in tropical America, while the lobiatae and cariophyllacea are sel- dom discovered but in Europe. The peculiar ranges and centres of vegetation, as they are termed, are all owing to chemical, climatic, a ad electrical influences, and yield their medicinal properties in exact ratio of quality^ in accordance with the latitudes or places in which they are indigenous.

From the many facts existing, we must believe that there is r ot a single disease in man that may not have its remedy or cure, in some herb or other, if' we but knew which plant, and where to find it, in this, or that, or any clime or portion of the world — agreeably to the provi- dence of Nature.

This fact or law is proven in the lower animal kingdom. Who has not often seen not only our famihar domestic animals, but many of the untamed creatures of the forests, fields, and air, seek out some one or peculiar herb, when laboring under sickness or derangement of the functions of its organism ?

Truly, Nature has wisely implanted a definite instinct in every organ- ic creature, in order to serve for its health, or for its restoration to health from disease. In man, however, such instinct is not so plainly marked, but to him has been given reason and judgment, and (in some few of the race) a disposition to investigate the laws and mysteries of creation, in order to secure his own highest health and perfection, and to find the means for the healing of his kind, when they have become diseased through ignorance, perversion, and violation of the immutable ordinances of Creation.

As the proverb says, " There are sermons in stones, and books in run- ning brooks ;" so do we behold volumes of wisdom in all the herbal king- dom— in every emerald and variegated leaf, in every tinted blossom — ia all^ there is a voiceless language, eternally singing significant psalms ir. praise of " Him who doeth all things well."

Thus we find that adaptation is the law of the universe — and no- where is it more vividly portrayed than in the growth and development of the Herbal world.

It will thus be seen that it is only by carefully studying the physiol- ogy or functions, or nature of plants, we can derive instruction for the proper regulation or government of our own organisms. The causes which influence the growth and development of plants, are conditions

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 13

necessary to be understood, in order to preserve the health or integrity of our systems.

Dependent upon the causes I have already named, the plants, also, may lose their medicinal virtues ; while much will be owing to the sea- son of the year when they are gathered, in order to adapt them to medico-chemical purposes.

For instance, in the Spring of the year the common Nettle plant may afford a palatable food for man ; but if selected at a later period, instead of serving as a savory vegetable, or purifier of morbid elements from the blood and system of man, might be converted into or act as a viru- lent or dangerous poison upon his organism.

In China the Ginseng (so called from the two Chinese words gen sing, "first of plants") plant or root is regarded— weight for weight — as sil- ver, for medicinal purposes ; whereas the same herb grown in America, or other countries, does not possess a tithe of the value of the Chinese production for healing purposes.

The American chamomile, though in all respects the same as the Eu- ropean, is positively inert in its medicinal qualities.

There must be, therefore, I repeat, a combination of influences to insure the full development of perfection of any plant. There must be not only internal but external stimuli, to develop the virtues of the herb. The external, as we have seen, consist of certain nutritious matters contained in the soil, water, atmospheric gases, electricity, light, and heat, besides the elements of oxygen, both in its combined or simple form, nitrogen, etc.

If we take a stem cut from a pine tree, in the forests of North Caro- lina, and place it in contact with the trunk of a healthy growing pine, the former would destroy the latter ia the course of the season. The worms generated in the severed or decayed stem will pass to the living tree, and rapidly cause its destruction.

Any farmer knows that if the lordly oak be felled ia June it will pass into a state of decay iu the course of from four to eight weeks ; but if it be cut down at a proper season (which is in Fall and early Spring, when the tree is nearly destitute of sap), it affords the best timber for the building of ships. It may be of interest, also, to state that at such times the transplantation of trees should be made. The tree should be removed at night, and set out in the same relative position to the sun as in its former aspect. If these rules are followed, no tree will rarely ever die, Tinless its most vital parts are too extensively injured.

We aU know that a plant stripped of its leaves will soon perish. Among the reasons for this is, that the absorption by the roots is insuf^ ficient to supply aU the materials for its nourishment. Let us look a little more closely into these phenomena of nature. There must be a certain number of stages for aU herbal growths. First, the ascending

14 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

sap dissolves the nutritive deposits of the root and stem, and conveys them to assist in the development of leaves and flowers. Hence it is evident that if the root, bark, or stem be gathered at this season, it wiU prove deficient in medicinal virtues, or be altogether inert. The leaves also will be found worthless for remedial purposes. On the other hand, if we wait a little longer, or until the plant is fully developed, we will find that either the bark or root, the leaves or flowers, are full of rare medicinal virtues.

The precise moment when all the assimilative processes of the plant have been perfected — whether it be Summer or Winter, Spring or Au- tumn— is the time to gather it for a remedial agent in disease, inasmuch as we know that the laws of chemical decomposition and recombination know no rest ; hence, as in the case of the nettle, while it may be a good food in its earlier stages of development, it would prove a poison in a more advanced stage of its growth.

The peculiar properties of herbs as medicines will often depend upon the greenness or ripeness of the plant, and other circumstances attend- ant upon its cutting, and the length of time it is kept after being gathered.

For instance, the concrete juice of the Manna ash {Fraxinus Ornus) — the manna of commerce— increases in purgative qualities by age. The Oak-bark, for tanning hides, improves in value for a period of four or five years after it has been stripped from the trunk ; in the same man- ner, its medicinal properties are either diminished or improved, according to the season when the bark is gathered, or the manner in which it is converted into tannic acid for medical or scientific purposes.

It must be apparent to all, that herbs are liable to suffer from the vicissitudes of soil, climate, season, etc., and, as a matter of course, from these causes will vary the medicinal principles attributed to them. Repeated analysis demonstrates the fact, that specimens of the same plant, grown in different locahties, will vary infinitely in the proportions of the medicinal principles yielded. Take, for example, the Butterfly- weed, or Pleurisy-root {Asclepias Tuherosa), which grows in the barren and sandy soil of New Jersey, and it will be foimd to yield from one to two hundred per cent, of its medicinal virtues more than the same plant grown in the rich alluvial soils of the West. Hence, when given as medicine, the quantity must correspond accordingly — be either increased or diminished, in order to secure its proper curative effects upon the system. Thus it is seen that a medicine, prepared from plants culled at an improper season, will prove entirely inert or useless, while the same herb, gathered at a proper time in a proper climate, especially and properly prepared, would secure the restoration of a patient from disease to health. There is likewise a wide difference between the virtues of a plant

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 16

growing- in a wild or natural condition from that of the same herb when artificially cultivated. The transference of plants from their natire locations, to soils prepared by the hands of man, induces many changes in their individual elements. Many plants formerly used for medicines are now cultivated for the table alone. The small acid root of the Bras- sica Rupa has become the large and nutritious article of diet knowTi as the turni'p. The dandeUon, when growTi in natural localities, possesses well-defined medical properties, all of which are lost when the plant is artificially cultivated. In the cultivated plant the proportions of starch, grape-sugar, and other non-medical principles are largely increased, while that which is gathered in its- wild or native state is known to pos- sess rare virtues in affections of the liver, kidneys, and respiratory organs. In the cultivated rose the stamens are converted into petals. The castor-oil plant in Africa is a woody tree — in our gardens it is an annual. The mignonette, in Europe, is an annual plant, but becomes perennial in the sandy deserts of Egypt.

I repeat, from what has been seen it is evident that all herbs, perhaps, possess some property suitable for medical purposes. These virtues may be found in the root of one plant, in the bark of another, in the leaves of another, in the blossoms of another, in the seeds of another, or in the whole combined. Even the color of the flower has much to do with the therapeutic properties of the plant — as, for instance, the Blue Vervain^ as used in my Fits and Dyspepsia remedy, is the only kind that is used for medical purposes — all the other species being entirely useless, or else more or less dangerous.

In fact, it is evident to the comprehension of the simplest mind that- climatic influences have much to do with the full development of plants. This may be illustrated in the Tobacco raised in Cuba and that grown in Connecticut — the one being grown in a Southern and the other in a Northern climate. The poison nicotine is derived from the tobacco plant ; the exhilarating caffeine and tKeine are obtained from the coflEee berry and tea plant. Thus it is possible that some therapeutic agent or other may be derived from every plant grown on the surface of the globe.

The Red Men of the American forests are never at a loss to know which plant is best, nor the time it should be gathered, to cure them of disease. They know how to treat their complaints in physic, surgery, and midwifery with a skill that far surpasses that of many a learned doctor of the big medical schools, with all their science, and the medical teachings of physicians for upwards of four thousand years. What other guide have the poor Indians — those untutored savages of the woods — but their reason and their instinct, and their practical experi- ence in the use of herbs ?

This is the same in the East Indies, South America, South Sea

16

TJlf] COMPLETE HEEBALIST.

Islands, Patagonia, Africa, and other lands. The negroes in the in- terior parts of Africa possess a knowledge of the medicinal properties of plants which is really surprising, and, by consequence, are rarely afflicted with disease. The art of healing in Sumatra consists in the application of plants, in whose medicinal virtues they are surprisingly skilled. In fact, the Sumatrans have a degree of botanical knowledge that sur- prises the European or American. They become acquainted at an early age not only with tlie names, but the qualities and properties of every shrub and herb among that exuberant variety with which their country abounds.

In gathering herbs for medical purposes, we should not only know the season when they should be culled, but we should be qualified to com- prehend the principles of which the plant is composed — whether they be resins, alkaloids, or neutrals— and be able also to separate the one ingredient or element from the other, as a distinct medicinal property, or combine the whole for the purpose of a compound medical agent.

Plants by their appearance often invite the invaUd to cull them for his restoration, and assume such shapes as to suggest their curative properties. For instance, herbs that simu- late the shape of the Lu?igs, as Lungwort (see figure adjoining), Sage, Hounds-tongue, and Comfrey, are all good for pulmonary complaints.

Plants which bear in leaves and roots a heart-like form, as Citron Apple, Fuller's Thistle, Spikenard, Balm, Miat, White-beet, Parsley, and Motherwort, will yield medicinal properties congenial to that organ. Vege- table productions like in figure to the ears^ as the leaves of the Coltfoot or Wild Spike- nard, rightly prepared as a conserve and eaten, improve the hearing and memory; while oil extracted from the shells of sea- snails, which have the turnings and curvings of the ears, tends wonderfully to the cure of deafness. A decoction of Maiden Hair and the moss of Quinces, which plants resemble the hairs of the Jiead, is good for baldness. Plants resembling the human nose, as the leaves of the Wild Water Mint, are beneficial in restoring the sense of smell. Plants having a semblance of the Womb, as Birthwort, Heart Wort, Ladies' Seal or Briony, conduce much to a safe accouche- ment. Shrubs and Herbs resembling the bladder and gall, as Night- shade and Alkekengi, will relieve the gravel and stone. Liver-shaped plants, as Liverwort {see the following figure), Trinity, Agaric, Fumitory, Figs, etc. , all are efficacious in bilious diseases. Walnuts, Indian nuts,

Lungwort.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

17

Leeks, and the root of Ragwort, because of their form, when duly pre- pared will further generation and prevent sterility. Herbs and seeds in shape Hke the teeth, as Toothwort, Pine-kernel, etc., preserve the dental organization. Plants of knobbed form, like knuckles or joints, as Galingale, aad the knotty odoriferous rush, Calamus^ are good for diseases of the spine and reins, foot, gout, knee swellings, and all joint pains whatso- ever. Oily vegetable products, as the Filbert, Walnut, Almond, etc., tend to fatness of the body.

Plants naturally lean^ as Sarsaparilla or long-leaved Rosa Solie emaciate those who use them.

Fleshy plants, such as Onions, Leeks, and Colewort, make flesh for the eaters. Certain plants, as the Sensitive plant. Nettles, the roots of Mallows, and the herb Neurus, when used as outward ap- plications, fortify and brace the 7ie7'ves. Milky herbs, as Lettuce and the fruit of the Almond and Fig trees, propagate milk. Plants of a serous nature, as Spurge and Scammony, purge the nox- ious humors between the flesh and the skin. Herbs whose acidity turns milk to

curd, such as Galium and the seeds of Spurge, will lead to procreation. Rue mixed with Cummin will relieve a sore breast, if a poultice of them be applied, when the milk is knotted therein ; while plants that are hollow, as the stalks of Grain, Reeds, Leeks, and Garhc, are good to purge, open, and soothe the hollow parts of the body. Many more instances of Buch adaptation of herbs and plants to diseases of the body might be cited if deemed necessary.

The vitality of plants may be destroyed by giving them deleterious or poisonous substances, such as arsenic, mercury, etc. In fact, mineral poisons act on plants and herbs in nearly the same way they do upon human beings or other animals.

The color of plants is generally under the influence of solar light ;

hence, plants grown in darkness become etiolated or blanched. The

greem- of leaves is due to nitrogen., while in proportion as the oxygen of

the air predominates, the leaves put on varied tints, as the beautiful red

and crimson assumed by some leaves in Autumn.

The color of Jlowers, as a general rule, is influenced by solar light,

ti

Liverwort.

18 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

thoiigh the magnetic condition of the soil has much to do with the color. For instance, the petals of the common butter-cup are of as brilliant a yellow in towm gardens enveloped in the smoke of London as on any country hill, while the tints of the rose remain, when languishing for lack of a clear atmosphere. The flowers of the common hydrangea, which are naturally pink^ may be made blue by planting the shrub in soil impregnated with iron. So will certain medical preparations of iron turn blue the human flesh. The color of the flower of the tulips can be turned into white, yeUow, brown, purple, and a beautiful tint of rose, by transplanting the plants from a poor soil to a rich one, and vice versa.

The fragrrnices of flowers and plants have their physiological or medi- cal uses. The use of the fragrance in leaves, bark, and wood, is appar- ently to preserve them from the attacks of insects ; as the wmeii of the red and Bermuda cedars (of which pencils are made) and of Camphor, also a vegetable product, is to keep moths and other vermin from attack- ing substances with which they are in contact.

Plants sometimes distil or secrete medicinal or nutritive fluids, which are contained in convenient receptacles. Such plants invariably grow tar from the haunts of men. away from the course of streams or vicinity of ponds. Whose ordination is it that such plants have such a habitude ? It is that Providence who, in his bountiful beneficence, places them where the traveler may not die of thirst or disease on his way of dis- covery. This is most beautifully illustrated in the Nepenthes distillatoria

(see cut), in which the leaves terminate in a most singular manner, forming a sort of urn or vase, surmounted by a cover, which opens and shuts as occa- sion requires. This vessel is suspended at the extremity of a thread-like appendage to a winged petiole, which would seem to be altogether unfit to support it. An officer of marines writes as follows : ' ' Three days after my arrival at Madagascar

.r. J- .•„ . ■ I lost myself during a short ex-

Nepentnes distillatona. , , . .

cursion mto the mterior, and was

overtaken with an excessive lassitude, accompanied with a devouring

thirst. After a long walk I was on the point of yielding to despair,

when I perceived close to me, suspended to leaves, some smaU vases,

somewhat like those used to preserve fresh water. I began to think I

was under one of those hallucinations by which the sick are often visited

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

19

in fever, when the refreshing draught seems to fly from their paxched lips. I approached it, however, with some hesitation, threw a rapid glance at the pitchers : judge of my happiness when I found them filled with a pure and transparent liquid. The draught I partook gave me the best idea I have reahzed of the nectar served at the table of the gods." Plants of such descrip- tion become extinct if civiUzation approaches their domain.

Plants have attri- butes other than medi- cal which are of inter- est to the general read- er besides the botanist.

In many instances there seems to be a striking affinity be- tween the herbal and animal kiagdom, and other instances of the repelling character. For instance, a most remarkable instance of irritability by contact is that exhibited by the "Venus's Fly -Trap," Dioncea musciimla^ a native of Canada, and nearly allied to the common " Sun - D e w " of the British com- mons. Its fl o.w e r s have nothing remark- able about them, ex- cept that their petals roil up when they are about to decay ; but the

Venus's Fly-Trap.

20 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

leaves are very curiously constructed. They have broad leaf-like petioles, at whose extremity there are two fleshy tubes, which form the real leaf, and which are armed with strong-, sharp spines, three on the blade of each lobe, and a fringe of larger spines round the margin.

When an insect touches the base of the central spines the leaf col- lapses, and the poor insect is caught, been either impaled by the cen- tral spines or entrapped by the others. The leaf then remains closed, the fringe of long spines being firmly interlaced and locked together till the body of the insect has wasted away. This apparatus being the nearest approach to a stomach which has yet being observed in plants, an experi- ment was tried some years ago of feeding a dioncea (Venus's Fly-Trap) with very small particles of raw meat, when it was found that the leaves closed in the same way as they would have done over an insect, and did not open again until the meat was consumed. The leaves of this plant possess medicinal properties, which, when properly prepared in tincture or decoction, have been found of exceeding efficacy in many diseases of the digestive organs of the human being.

Sarracenia^ or Side- Saddle flower, the leaves of which are pitcher- shaped, resembling an old-fashioned side-saddle, six of which generaUy belong to each plant. Each of these pitchers wiU hold nearly a wine- glassful, and are generaUy filled with water and aquatics, which imdergo decomposition, or a sort of digestion^ and serve as a nutriment to the plant. This animal characteristic is also illustrated in the sensitive plant (Mimosa Sensitiva), which the slightest touch suffices to make it close

its foHoles. If we cut with scissors the extreme end of one foliole the others immediately approach in succession. This irritation is not local, but com- municates from circle to circle, and propagates itself from leaf to leaf. Up to a certain point it gets accustomed to outside interference. Touching it again Sensitive Plant ' and again will habituate it to

the movement and fail to re- spond, as if it were owing in the first instance to fright.

The sleep of plants vaguely recalls to us the sleep of animals. Their period of sleep is mostly at night, and any interested person may observe this habit in a variety of plants, as many of them when asleep are difficult to recognize in their bearing. The leaves are rolled up, or become reversed, as in the genus Sida and the Ldipinus. The Vetch, the Sweet-pea, the Broad Bean, in their sleep rest their leaves during the night one against the other.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 21

Parental solicitude is displayed in the oracli-root {Atrijilex Twrtenm). The leaves of this plant faU back upon the young shoots, and enclose them whenever the effects of the atmosphere would injure them. This is also seen in the chickweed at night.

The folding of some flowers in the absence of the sun, and the open- ing of others as soon as that luminary has withdrawn his beams, are ascribable to various causes. The white marigold closes its flowers on the approach of rain, and the dwarf Colendrina folds up its bright crimson corolla about four o'clock every afternoon ; while, on the con- trary, the plant commonly called Four o'clock^ whose flower remains closed all day, opens precisely at the hour of four. The evening prim- rose will not open its large yellow flower till the sun has sunk below the horizon. On the other hand, the Sun-flower is always seen bending its face (vis-d-vis) in the direction of the sun, and follows its course during the entire diurnal round, from its rise in the Orient, or East, in the momiag, to its decHne in the Hesperian region, or west, in the evening. The Silphium laciniatum^ or compass-weed, always points its leaves towards the north star. The Night-blowing Cereus only expands its flowers about midnight. Indeed, some flowers are so regular in their opening or shutting, that the great botanist, Linn^us, formed what he called '•'■ Flora's Timepiece^^'' in which each hour was represented by the flower which opened or closed at that particular time. An arrangement of this kind may be seen in the following

Floral Clock:

Between 3 and 4 A.M Bind- weed of the hedgerows.

At 5 A.M Naked stalked Poppy and most of the

ChichoraccEe.

Between 5 and 6 A.M Nipplewort and the Day Lily.

At 6 A.M Many of the Solanaceae (Night-shade)

family.

Between 6 and 7 A.M Sow Thistle and Spurrey.

At 7 A.M Water Lilies, Lettuces.

At 7 to 8 A.M , .Venus' Looking-Glass.

At 8 A.M WM Pimpernel.

At 9 A.M Wild Marigold.

At 9 to 10 AM Ice Plant.

At 11 AM Purslaiu, Star of Bethlehem.

At 13 Most of the Ficoid, or Mesembryanthe-

mum family.

At 2 P.M Scilla Pomeridiana.

Between 5 and 6 P.M Silene Noctiflora.

Between 6 and 7 P.M Marvel of Peru.

Between 7 and 8 P.M Cereus Grandiflorus, Tree Primrose.

At 10 P.M Purple Convolvulus.

22 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

In addition to the above, I would remark that certain equinoctial flowers open and close at a fixed time in the same day ; on the morrow, and for several following days, they again open and shut at the same regular hours. The Star of Bethlehem opens several days in succession at eleven in the morning, and closes at three. The Ficoides Noctijim'a blows several days in succession at seven in the evening, and closes about six or seven in the morning.

Besides the cases in which flowers open and shut their corollas by the influence of light, instances are known in which merely the petals roll up by day, and resume their natural shape after sunset. A remarkable circumstance respecting the effect of atmospheric influence is, that the same causes do not affect aU plants, and yet no peculiarity of construc- tion has been discovered in those so affected to distinguish them from those that are not.

Every student of nature can witness much more that is of general interest regarding the habits, so to speak, and characteristics of plants. They have been a favorite theme in aU ages. Lovers have dwelt on them and given them a language. Nearly every one delights in the flowering plants. Who would refuse a bouquet of choice flowers ? This attachment to flowers was pathetically illustrated in the Highland emi- grants in Canada, who wept when they found that the heather would not grow in their newly-adopted soil. And well they might, for it is the flower of their native mountains, and associated with all their brightest and tenderest recollections. In the age of chivalry the daisy was re- noviTied ; and St. Louis, of France, took it and a lily for a device in his ring, as emblematical of his wife and country. The thistle, like the famous geese of Rome, saved Scotland, and for this reason it is the na- tional emblem of that country. During the Danish invasion, one of their soldiers placed his naked foot on the spiny leaves of a thistle, and instinctively uttered a cry which awoke the slumbering Scots, who turned upon their foes, defeated, and drove them from their land.

The poetry attached to plants, however, is not of immediate concern in this volume. It is their medicinal properties which engages our study and demands our labors. Yet I could not so weU establish their supe- rior fitness as curative agents above the mineral drug unless I gave that which is of general interest. One fact wiU be apparent to the reader, that plants have life, and hence are eminently suitable to give life to the suffering patient. The lifeless inorganic mineral has none, and can give no yital elemexit.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST, 23

EPITOME OF BOTANY.

That the reader may more intellig-ently understand the description of the medicinal plants in this book, the author has deemed it prudent to preface the part of this work dedicated to Herbal Materia Medica w^th a brief analysis of the plant, as made by the botanist. This becomes particularly necessary, inasmuch as a plant cannot be accurately described unless scientific language be employed ; but, nevertheless, throughout this whole work it has been the aim of the author to use the plainest language, and not to weary the reader by as pedantic employ- ment of technical terms and scientific language.

Nothing more will be given than the anatomy of the plant, as nothing of systematic botany need be known to the reader to recognize the plant, or to acquaint himself with the medicinal properties thereof. If he has not a common acquaintance with a medicinal plant, but desires it for domestic medication, it is unportant that he should know that he employs the proper herb, and not use one which simulates it. It has therefore been the aim of the author to give accurate descriptions of the herbs, so that the gatherer may not err in his selection of the plant which his case may need.

AU parts of the plant are used in medicine — sometimes the seed only ; in others the flower, the leaves, root, rhizome ; in others two or more of these parts, and, again, in others the whole plant.

ANATOMY OF A PLANT. the root.

The root of a plant is that portion which is usually found in the earth, the stem and leaves being in the air. The point of union is called the collar or neck of the plant.

A fibrous root is one composed of many spreading branches, as that ol barley.

A conical root is one where it tapers regularly from the crown to the apex, as that of the carrot.

A fusiform root is one when it tapers up as weU as down, as that of the radish.

A rapiform root is one when much swollen at the base, so as to be- come broader than long, as that of the turnip.

A fasciculated root is one when some of the fibres or branches axe thickened.

A tuberiferous root is one when some of the branches assume the form of rounded knobs, as that of the potato.

24 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

A palmate root is one when these knobs are branched.

Aerial roots are those emitted from the stem into the open jaix. at. that of Indian corn.

A rhizoma, or root stock, is a prostrate stem either subterranean or resting on the surface, as that of calamus, or blood-root.

A tuber is an enlargement of the apex of a subterranean branch of the root, as that of the common potato or artichoke.

A cormus is a fleshy subterranean stem of a round or oval figure, as in the Indian turnip.

A bulb is an extremely abbreviated stem clothed with scales, as that of the lily.

THE STEM.

The stem is that portion of the plant which grows in an opposite direction from the root, seeking the light, and exposing itself to the air. All flowering plants possess stems. In those which are said to be stem- less, it is either very short, or concealed beneath the ground.

An herb is one in which the stem does not become woody, but die* down to the ground at least after flowering.

A shrub is a woody plant, branched near the ground, and less than five times the height of man.

A tree attains a greater height, with a stem unbranched near the ground.

The stem of a tree is usually called the trunk j in grasses it has been termed the culm.

Those stems which are too weak to stand erect are said to be decum- bent, procumbentj and prostrate.

A stolon is a form of a branch which curves or falls down to the ground, where they often strike root.

A sucker is a branch of subterraneous origin, which, after running horizontally and emitting roots in its course, at length rises out of the ground and forms an erect stem, which soon becomes an independent plant, as illustrated by the rose, raspberry, etc.

A runner is a prostrate, slender branch sent off from the base of the parent stem.

An offset is a similar but shorter branch, with a tuft of leaves at the end, as in the houseleek.

A spine is a short and imperfectly developed branch of a woody plant, as exhibited in the honey-locust.

A tendril is commonly a slender leafless branch, capable of coiling spirally, as in the grape vine,

THE LEAF.

The leaf is commonly raised on an unexpanded part or stalk which ib called the petiole, while tlie expanded portion is termed the lamina.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 25

limb, or blade. When the vessels or fibres of the leaves expand im- mediately on leaving the stem, the leaf is said to be sessile. In such cases the petiole is absent. When the blade consists of a single piece the leaf is simple ; when composed of two or three more with a branched petiole, the leaf is compound.

The distribution of the veins or framework of the leaf in the blade is termed venation.

A lanceolate leaf has the form of a lance.

An ovate leaf has the shape of ellipsis.

A cuneiform leaf has the shape of a wedge.

A cordate leaf has the shape of a heart.

A reniform leaf has the shape of a kidney.

A sagittate leaf is arrow-shaped.

A hastate leaf has the shape of an ancient halberd.

A peltate leaf is shaped like a shield.

A ssirate leaf is one in which the margin is beset with sharp teeth, which point forward towards the apex.

A dentate leaf is one when these teeth are not directed towards the apex.

A crenate leaf has rounded teeth.

A sinuate leaf has alternate concavities and convexities.

A pinnate leaf has the shape of a feather.

A pectinate leaf is one ha\ang very close and narrow divisions, like the teeth of a comb.

A lyrate leaf has the shape of a lyre.

A runcinate leaf is a lyrate leaf with sharjD lobes pointing towards the base, as in the dandehon.

A palmate leaf is one bearing considerable resemblance to the hand.

A pedate leaf is one bearing resemblance to a bird's foot.

An obovate leaf is one having the veins more developed beyond the middle of the blade.

When a leaf at its outer edge has no dentations it is said to be entire. When the leaf terminates in an acute angle it is acute, when in an ob- tuse angle it is obtuse. An obtuse leaf with the apex slightly depressed is retuse, or if more strongly notched, emarginate. An obovate leaf with a wider or more conspicuous notch at the apex become obcordate, being a cordate leaf inverted. When the apex is cut off by a straight transverse line the leaf is truncate ; when abruptly terminated by a small projecting point it is mucronate ; and when an acute leaf has a narrowed apex it is acuminate. In ferns the leaves are called fronds.

THE FLOWER.

The flower assumes an endless variety of forms, and we shall assume in the dissection merely the typical form of it. 2

26 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

The organs of a flower are of two sorts, viz. : 1st. Its leaves or en- velopes ; and 2d, those peculiar organs having no resemblance to the envelopes. The envelopes are of two kinds, or occupy two rows, one above or within the other. The lower or outer row is termed the Calyx, and commonly exhibits the green color of the leaves. The inner row, which is usually of more deUcate texture and forms the most showy part of the flower, is termed the Corolla. The several parts of the leaves of the CoroUa are called Petals, and the leaves of the Calyx have received the analogous name of Sepals. The floral envelopes are col- lectively called the Perianth.

The essential organs enclosed within a floral envelope are also of two kinds and occupy two rows one within the other. The first of these, those next within the petals, are the Stamens. A stamen consists of a stalk called the Filament, which bears on its summit a rounded body termed the Anther, filled with a substance called the Pollen.

The seed-bearing organs occupy the centre or summit of a flower, and are called Pistils. A pistil is distinguished into three parts, viz. : 1st, the Ovary, containing the Ovales ; 2d, the Style, or columnar pro- longation of the ovary ; and 3d, the Stigma, or termination of the style.

AH the organs of the flower are situated on, or grown out of, the apex of the flower-stalk, into which they are inserted, and which is called the Torus or Receptacle.

A plant is said to be monoecious, where the stamens and pistils are in separate flowers on the same individual, dioecious, where they occupy separate flowers on different individuals, and polygamous where the stamens and pistils are separate in some flowers and united in others, either on the same or two or three different plants.

THE FRUIT.

The principal kinds may be briefly stated as follows : —

A foUicle is the name given to such fruit as borne by the larkspur or milkweed.

A legume or pod is the name extended to such fruit as the pea or bean.

A drupe is a stone fruit, as the plum, apricot, etc.

An achenium is the name of the fruit as borne by the butter-cup, &c.

A cremocarp is the fruit of the Poison Hemlock and similar plants.

A caryopsis is such fruit as borne by the wheat tribe.

A nut is exemplified by the fruit of the oak, chestnut, &c.

A samara is the name appHed to the fruit of the maple, birch, and elm.

A berry is a fruit fleshy and pulpy throughout, as the grape, goose- berry, &c.

A pome is such as the apple, pear, &c.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 27

A pepo is the name applied to the fruit of the pumpkin, cucum- ber, &c. A capsule is a general term for all dry fruits, such as lobelia, &c. A silique is such fruit as exhibited in Shepherd's purse, &c. A cone or strobile is a collective fruit of the fir tribe, magnolia, &c.

THE SEED.

The seed, like the ovule of which it is the fertilized and matured state, consists of a nucleus, usually enclosed within two integuments, The outer integument or proper seed coat is variously termed the episperm, spermoderm, or testa.

An annual plant is one which springs from the seed, flowers and dies the same year.

A biennial plant, such as the radish, carrot, beet, &c., does not flower the first season.

A perennial plant is one not absolutely depending upon the stock of the previous season, but annually produces new roots and new accumu- lations.

MEDICIN"AL PEOPEETIES AND PEEPARATIOWS.

Every herb employed in the cure of diseases, whether in its natural state or after having undergone various preparations, belongs to the Herbal Materia Medica, in the extended acceptation of the term. It shall, however, be our purpose only to describe each separate herb ia its living state, or the medicinal part thereof, and not dwell much upon the forms usually prepared by the apothecary or physician. In this portion of our work we propose to give an account of all the most important medicinal herbs necessary for the cure of diseases. No herb, however, is to be despised or regarded as worthless because of its not finding mention in this work; but, as previously stated, that each and every plant has its virtues, though to describe all recognized as medicinal would make the work too voluminous, and in price far exceed the reach of the mfllion. The various properties of medicinal agents have been designated as follows : —

Absorbents or Antacids are such medicines that counteract acidity of the stomach and bowels.

Alteratites are medicines which, in certain doses, work a gradual cnie by restoring the healthy functions of different organs.

Anodynes are medicines which relieve pain.

28 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

Anthelmintics are medicines which have the power of destroying or expelling worms from the intestinal canal.

Antiscorbutics are medicines which prevent or cure the scurvy.

Antispasmodics are medicines given to relieve spasm, or irregular and painful action of muscles or muscular fibres, as in Epilepsy, St. Vitus' Dance, etc.

Aromatics are medicines which have a grateful smell and an agree- able pungent taste.

Astringents are those remedies which, when applied to the body, render the soHds dense and firmer.

Carminatives are those medicines which dispel flatulency of the stomach and bowels.

Cathartics are medicines which accelerate the action of the bowels, or increase the discharge by stool.

Demulcents are medicines suited to modify the action of acrid and stimulating matters upon the mucous membranes of the throat, lungs, etc.

Diaphoretics are medicines that promote or cause perspirable dis- charge by the skin.

Diuretics are medicines which increase the flow of urine by their action upon the kidneys.

Emetics are those medicines which produce vomiting.

Emmenagogues are medicines which promote the menstrual discharge.

Emollients are those remedies which, when applied to the solids of the body, render them soft and flexible.

Errhines are substances which, when applied to the lining mem- brane of the nostrils, occasion a discharge of mucous fluid.

Epispastics are those which cause blisters when applied to the surface.

EsCHAROTics are substances used to destroy a portion of the surface of the body, forming sloughs.

Expectorants are medicines capable of facihtating the excretion of mucus from the chest.

Narcotics are those substances having the property of diminishing the action of the nervous and vascular systems, and of inducing sleep. " Rubefacients are remedies which excite the vessels of the skin and increase its heat and redness.

Sedatives are medicines which have the power of allaying the ac- tion of the system generally, or of lessening the exercise of some par- ticular function, especially of the heart and brain.

Sialagogues are medicines which increase the flow of the sahva.

Stimulants are medicines capable of exciting the vital energy, whether as exerted in sensation or motion.

Tonics are those medicines which increase the tone or healthy aa- tion, or strength of the living system.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 29

PHARMACEUTIC PREPARATIONS.

ACETA or Vinegars are medicinal preparations where vinegar is used as the dissolving agent.

^THEREA or Ethers are ethereal tinctares,

Aqu^ or Waters consist of water impregnated with some medicinal substance, as a volatile oil.

Cataplasms are external applications or poultices.

Cerates are agents intended for external application, and are com^ posed of wax, spermaceti, combined with fatty matter, and in which resins and powders, etc., are frequently amalgamated.

Confections are medicines in the form of a conserve.

Decoctions are solutions procured from the various parts of herbs by boUing them in water.

Dragees are sugar-coated pills.

Enemas or Injections, These consist of medicinal agents in the form of infusion, decoction, or mixture, and designed to be passed iuto the rectum and other passages.

Extracts. ^Vhen an infusion, decoction, or tincture is reduced to a soft solid mass, by evaporation, it is termed an extract.

Fluid-Extracts. These are concentrated medicinal principles, not reduced to a solid or nearly semi-fluid consistence, the evaporation not being carried so far as in ordinary extracts. (See page 475)

Infusions are solutions of vegetable principles in water, effected without boiling.

Liniments. These preparations are designed for external application, and should always be of such a consistence as will render them capa- ble of easy application to the skin with the naked hand or flannel.

Lotions, These comj)rise all compounds used as external washes in which vegetable substances are dissolved.

Mixtures are either liquid or solid compounds, and which are sus- pended in aqueous fluids by the intervention of some viscid matter, as mucilage, albumen, etc.

Oils are the products of various herbs by distillation with water.

Pills are medicinal properties formed into a mass and rolled into globular forms. A bolus is a large pill.

Plasters are designed for external application ; the medicinal agent is usually spread on cloth or chamois leather.

Powders are medicinal herbs in a pulverized state.

Saturates are similar to fluid-extracts, being, however, prepared without the employment of heat.

Syrups are liquid medicines of a viscid consistence, produced by con- centrated solutions of sugar alone or mixed with honey.

Tinctures. These are preparations obtained by subjecting medicinal herbs to the action of alcohol.

30 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

Trochees or Lozenges are medicinal substances in powder, which are formed into solid cakes by the aid of sugar and gum.

Unguent A or Ointments are fatty matters, in which are incorpo- rated certain medicines, and are designed for external use.

Wines. These are tinctures of medicinal agents which are insoluble in water, or which do not require as stimulant a solvent as alcohol, but which are capable of yielding their virtues to wine.

WEIGHTS AE"D MEASURES.

That no error may occur, I will here append the weights and meas- ures employed in pharmacy, together with the symbols designating each quantity. It is necessary to understand but two measures, as the author has conformed all the solid or liquid quantities to these meas- ures. These are : —

1st. — Apothecaries' Weight.

20 grains (gr.) 1 scruple.

3 scruples O ) 1 drachm.

8 drachms ( 3 ) 1 ounce.

12 ounces ( § ) 1 pound (lb).

The doses of powders, extracts, and all such that are not fluid axe in- tended to correspond with this weight.

2d.— Apothecaries' Measure.

60 minims m_) 1 fluid drachm.

8 fluid drachms (f 3 ) 1 fluid ounce.

16 fluid ounces (f § ) 1 pint,

8 pints (O) 1 gallon (cong).

The quantities of all fluids mentioned in this book agree with this measure, though the word fluid or the symbol (f) is omitted in most instances.

It is not to be supposed, however, that in all families measuring grad- uates are to be found ; hence a comparison of these measures with tea, dessert, and table spoons, etc. , becomes necessary to simplify the fluid

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

31

measure. The weight of any quantity I should always advise to be cor- rectly ascertained by scales : — *

A drop A teaspoonful A dessertspoonful A tablespoonful A wineglassful A teacupful

Comparison.

corresponds with a minim.

fluid drachm, three fluid drachms, one-half fluid ounce, two fluid ounces. giU(4fl).

In the body of this work the quantity has been stated, with but few exceptions, in which each medicine must ordinarily be given to produce its pecuhar effects upon the adult patient. But there are circumstances which modify the dose, and demand attention, the most important of which is the age ; hence the following table, exhibiting the dose propor- tioned to the age, should receive careful reference in domestic prac- ticvi : —

Table.

The dose for a person of age being 1 or 1 drachm.

That of a person from 14 to 21 years will be | or 2 scruples.

of

7 to 14

' " i or 1 drachm.

4to 7

' " i or 1 scruple.

4

' " ;^ or 15 graias.

3

' " :^ or 10 grains.

3

' " ■§• or 8 graias.

1

' " iV or 5 grains.

i

' " tV or 4 grains.

The following rule, however, is a little more simple : —

For children under 12 years the dose of most medicines must be

diminished in the proportion of the age to the age increased by 12 ;

thus, at two years the dose will be \ of that for adults, viz. : —

2 + 12

2 1 4

r-7 or i, ; at 4, it will be -. — zt-^ 14 7 ' ' 4 + 12

16"' 4-

* The weights used in the British Pharmacopoeia are the Imperial or avordupois potmd, ounce, and grain, and the terms drachm and scruple, as designating specific weights, are discontinued. The ounce contains 437^^ grains, and the pound 7,000 grains. The Im perial Measuro contains 8 fluid draclims to the ounce, 20 fluid ounces to the pint, and 8 pints to the gallon.

32

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

HERBAL MATERIA MEDIOA.

ACACIA VERA.

Acacia Vera.

Common Names. Gum Arabic^ Egyptian TJmm. Medicinal Part, The concrete juice or gum.

Description. — Acacia Vera is a small tree or shrub, but sometimes attains the height of forty feet. The leaves are bipinnate and smooth, leaflets eight or ten pairs. Spines sharp and in pairs. Flowers in globose heads, and the fruit a legume.

History. — The tree inhabits the southern portion of Asia and the upper portion of Africa. The gum flows naturally from the bark of the trees, in the form of a thick and rather frothy liquid, and speedily con- cretes into tears ; sometimes the discharge is promoted by wounding the trunk and branches. The more ruptured the tree, the more gum it yields. The best quality of Gum Arabic is colorless, or very pale yellow-white, shining, transparent in small fragments, hard but pulver- able, inodorous, and of a sweet and viscous taste. It invariably forms a white powder. Cold or hot water dissolves its own weight, forming a thick mucilaginous solution.

Properties and Uses. — The gum is nutritive and demulcent, and exerts a remarkably soothing influence upon irritated or inflamed mucous surfaces, by shielding them from the influence of deleterious agents, atmospheric air, etc. It is useful, in diarrhoea and dysentery, to remove griping and painful stools, in catarrh, cough, hoarseness, consumption, gonorrhoea, and all inflammatory conditions of the mucous surfaces. For lung diseases it is especially an indispensable vehicle in which to carry the necessary curative and i30werful corrective agents, while at the same time its nutritive qualities also exert a good influence, often supplying the place of food where the stomach is too weak to partake of anything else. It may be given almost ad libitum in powder, lozenge, or solution, alone or combined with syrups, decoctions, etc It constitutes the menstruum of my well-known Acacian Balsam, see page 409.

THE COMPLETE HEllBALIST.

33

ADDER'S TONGUE (Erythronum Americanum).

Common Names. Dog-Tooth Violet, SerpenVs Tongue^ etc.

Medicinal Parts. The bulb and leaves.

Description. — This is a perennial plant, springing from a bulb at some -distance below tbe surface. Tbe bulb is white internally and fawn- colored externally. The leaves are two, lanceolate, pale green, with purplish or brownish spots, and one nearly twice as wide as the other. It bears a single drooping yellow flower, which partially closes at night and on cloudy days. Fruit a capsule.

History. — This beautiful little plant is among the earliest of our spring flowers, and is found in rich open grounds, or in thin woods throughout the United States, flowering in April or May. The leaves are more active than the roots ; both impart their virtues to water.

Properties and Uses. — It is emetic, emollient, and antiscorbutic when fresh ; nutritive when dried. The fresh root simmered in milk, or the fresh leaves bruised and often applied as a poultice to scrofulous tumors or ulcers, together with a free internal use of an infusion of them, is highly useful as a remedy for scrofula. The expressed juice of the plant, infused m cider, is very beneficial in dropsy, and for relieving hiccough, voBidtitg, and hematemesis, and bleeding from the lower bowels.

AGRIMONY (Agrimonia Eupatoria).

uGMMON Names. Cockleburr or Sticklewort.

Medicinal Parts. The root and leaves.

Description. ~-Agxiva.ony has a reddish, tapering, not creeping root, with brown stems covered with soft silky hairs ; two or three feet high ; leaves alternate, sessile, interruptedly pinnate. The sti- pule of the upper leaves large, rounded, dentate, or palmate. The flowers grow at the top of the stem, are yeUow, smaU, and very numerous, one above another in long spikes, after which come rough heads hanging downwards, which will stick to gar- ments or anything that rubs against them.

History. — This perennial plant is found in Asia, Europe, Canada, and the United States, along road- sides, and in fields and woods, flowering in July or August. Both the flowers and roots are fragrant, but harsh and astringent to the taste, and yield their properties to water or alcohol.

Properties and Uses. — It is a mild tonic, alterative, and astringent. Useful in bowel complaints, chronic Agrimony.

iuucous diseases, chronic affections of the digestive organs, leucorrhoea, 3* o

34 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

certain cutaneous diseases, etc. A strong decoction, sweetened with honey, is an invaluable cure for scrofula, if persisted in for a length of time. It is exceedingly useful in gravel, asthma, coughs, and obstructed menstruation. As a gargle for sore throat and mouth, it is very service- j^ble.

Dose. — Powder, one teaspoonful ; decoction, a wineglassful.

ALDER (Prinos Verticillatus).

Common Name. Winterherry.

Medicinal Parts. The hark and berries.

Description. — This is an indigenous shrub of irregular growth, with a stem six or eight feet in height ; bark grayish and alternate branches. The leaves are ovate, acute at the base, olive green in color, smooth above and downy beneath. Flowers small and white ; calyx small and six-cleft ; corolla divided into six obtuse segments. Fruit a berry.

History. — Black Alder is common throughout the United States and England, growing in moist woods, swamps, etc., flowering from May to July, and maturing its fruit in the latter part of autumn. It yields itp virtues to water by decoction or infusion. The bark has a bitterish, sub astringent taste, and the berries have a sweetish taste.

Properties and Uses. — It is tonic, alterative, and astringent. It 1? very beneficial in jaundice, diarrhoea, gangrene, dropsy, and all diseases attended with great weakness. Two drachms of the powdered bark and one drachm of powdered golden seal infused in a pint of boiling water, and, when cold, taken in the course of the day, in doses of a wineglass- ful, and repeated daily, has proved very efiicacious in dyspepsia. Ex temally the decoction forms an excellent local application in gangrene, indolent ulcers, and some affections of the skin. The berries are cathar* tic and vermifuge, and form, with cedar apples, a pleasant and effectual worm medicine for children.

Dose. — Powdered bark, half a drachm to a drachm ; decoction, 2 to 4 <"'ablespoonful8

ALE HOOF (Nepeta Glechoma).

Common Names. Oill-go-hy-the-ground^ Ground Ivy., CaVs-Foot^ TurnJwof^ &c.

Medicinal Part. T?ie leaves.

Description. — This plant is a perennial gray, hairy herb, with a pro- cumbent creeping stem, varying in length from a few inches to one or two feet. The leaves have petioles, cordate, and hairy on both sides. The flowers are bluish purple. The corolla is about three times as long as the calyx.

History. — This plant is common to the Uaited States and Europe,

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 35

where it is found in shady places, waste grounds, diy ditches, &c. It flowers in Miiy or August. The leaves impart their virtues to boiling water by infusion. They have an unpleasant odor, and a harsh, bitter- ish, slightly aromatic taste.

Properties and Uses. — It is stimulant, tonic, and pectoral, and is use- ful in diseases of the lungs and kidneys, asthma, jaundice, hypochon- dria, and monomania. An infusion of the leaves is very beneficial in lead-cohc, and painters who make use of it are seldom, if ever, troubled with that affection. The fresh juice snuffed up the nose often cures the most inveterate headache

Dose. — Powder, half a drachm to a drachm ; infusion, one or two fluid ounces.

ALL-HEAL (Prtinella Vulgaris).

Common Names. ' Hercules Wound Wart, Panay, etc.

MEDicnsTAL Part. The root.

Description. — This shrub sometimes attains the height of five feet, but is usually much smaller. The stem is strong and round, with many joints, with some leaves thereat. The leaves consist of five or six pair of wings, and when chewed have a bitterish taste. The root is thick and long, the juice of which is hot and biting. The flower is a small and yellow one, and the seeds whitish yeUow, short and flat.

History. — This plant is found in England and other parts of Europe. In England it flowers usually until the end of summer, but in other parts of Europe it flowers from May to December.

Properties and Uses. — AU-heal is a pungent and bitter toidc and anti- spasmodic. It has also vermifuge properties, and is slightly diuretic. It is excellent for cramps, fits, falling sickness, convulsions, etc. (infe- rior, however, to Blue Vervain). In obstructions of the liver it serves a, good purpose. It sometimes cures the toothache by inserting cotton saturated with the juice into the decayed places of the teeth.

ALMONDS (Amygdalus Communis).

Amygdala Amara, Bitter Almonds ; Amygdala Dulcis, Siceeit Al monds.

Medicinal Part. The kernels.

Description. — The almond tree is from ten to eighteen feet high, with a pale-brown rugged bark, and dividing into many branches. The leaves are of a bright Hght green, two to four inches long, and about three-fourths of an inch wide. Flowers are moderately large, pink or white, sessile, in pairs, and appearing before the leaves. Calyx reddish, petals variable in size. The fruit is a hoary drupe ; stone oblong or

36 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

ovate, hard in various de^'ees, always rugged and pitted with irregular holes. Both the bitter and sweet almonds come from this tree.

History. — The almond tree is indigenous to most of the southern parts of Asia and Barbary, but is cultivated in Southern Europe. The best of the sweet kind comes from Malaga. The sweet kernel is with- out odor, and of a pleasant flavor ; that of the bitter is also inodorous, unless rubbed with water, when it exhales a smell similar to Prussic acid. Its taste is similar to that of peach-meats. Both varieties con- tain oil — the sweet a fixed oil, the bitter both a fixed and an essential oil, impregnated with Prussic acid. The oil of bitter almonds has a golden color, an agreeable odor, an acid bitter taste, combustible, and is a poison acting in the same manner as Prussic acid. One drachm of this oil, dissolved in three drachms of alcohol, forms the "essence of almonds " much used by confectioners, perfumers, etc. The oil is also much used by soap-makers.

Properties and Uses. — Triturated with water, sweet almonds produce a white mixture called emulsion, or milk of almonds, bearing a remarkable analogy with animal milk. It is used as a demulcent and vehicle for other medicines. The oil is demulcent in small quantity, in larger doses laxative. It is frequently employed in cough, diseases dependent upon intestinal irritation, and for mitigating acrimouious urine in calcu' lous affections.

Dose. — Of the oil, a teaspoonful.

ALNUS RUBRA (Tag Alder).

Common Names. Common Alder., Smooth Alder.

Medicinal Part. The hark.

Description. — This is a well-known shrub, growing in clumps, and forming thickets on the borders of ponds and rivers, and in swamps. The stems are numerous, and from six to fifteen feet high. The leaves are obovate, acuminate, smooth, and green, from two to four inches long.

History. — The Alnus Rubra is indigenous to Europe and America, and blossoms in March and April. The bark is the part used medicinally.

Properties and Uses. — The bark is universally acknowledged to be alterative and emetic, and is especially recommended for scrofula, sec- ondary syphilis (inferior, however, to Rock Rose or Stillingia), and cu- taneous diseases, of which there are many varieties, some of which have and some of which have not been classified. The active principle of Alnus Rubra, as prepared for practitioners, is called Alnuin, and is most excellent in cases of dyspepsia produced by inactivity of the gastric glands.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

$7

AMAKANTH (Amaranthus Hypochondriasis).

Common Names. Prince's Feather, Red Cock's Comh, etc.

Medicinal Part. The leaves.

Description. — TMs is an ammal herb, with a stout upright stem, froiu from three to four feet high. The leaves are ob- long, lanceolate, niucronate, green, with a red purplish spot, clustered flowers, five stamens.

History. — This plant is a native of the IMiddle States, where it is cultivated in gardens as an or- namental plant, but contains more medicinal virtues in its wild state. It flowers in August. The leaves impart their virtues to water.

Properties and Uses. — Amaranth is astringent. The decoction drank freely is a valuable domestic remedy f or menorrhagia, diarrhoea, dysentery, and hemorrhage from the bowels. It is useful as a local application to ulcers of the mouth and throat, as an injection for leucorrhoea, and as a wash to foul, indolent ulcers.

AKEMONE (Anemone Nemorosa).

Amarantli.

Common Name. Wind Flower.

Medicinal Parts. Root, herb, and seed.

Description. — This is a delicate and pretty plant, with a creeping root, simple erect stem, six to nine inches high, bearing but a single flower ; leaves temate ; sepals, four to six ; stamens and ovaries numerous.

Histwy. — This plant is common to Europe and the United States, bearing purplish and white flowers in April and May. The Meadoio Anemone of Europe is the most active in its medicinal qualities. Its active principle is called Anemonine. This plant affords the Pulsatilla of the Hom(£opaths.

Properties and Uses. — Anemone in solution has been applied exter- nally to scald head, ulcers, syphilitic nodes, paralysis, cataract, and opacity of the cornea, with benefit. A decoction is sometimes used as an emmenagogue for secondary syphilis, whooping-cough, etc. The leaves, fresh and bruised, act as a rubefacient. Care should be taken in its internal administration, as it is acrid and poisonous.

A plant of the same family. Anemone Cylindrica, is used by the In- dians for the cure of the rattle-snake bite. They chew some of the tops of the plant, swallowing but Httle of the saliva, then apply it to the bite ; in a few minutes the bite is rendered harmless.

Dose. — Decoction, a tablespoonful ; anemonine, one graia.

38 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

ANGELICA (Angelica Atropurpurea).

Common Nainie. Masterwort.

Medicinal Part, Root^ herh^ and seed.

Description.— T^iis, plant is five or six feet hi^h. The root has a pur- ole color ; leaves temate, with large petioles ; calyx five-toothed, with ^,qual petals, and the fruit a nut.

History. — The plant is perennial, and grows in fields and damp places, leveloping greenish-white flowers from May to August. The plant has \ powerful, peculiar, but not unpleasant odor, a sweet taste, afterwards pungent ; but in drying it loses much of these qualities.

Properties and Uses. — It is aromatic, stimulant, carminative, diapho- retic, expectorant, diuretic, and emmenagogue. It is used in flatulent colic and heart-bum. It is serviceable in diseases of the urinary organs. The A. Archangeiica, or Archangel, may be substituted for this.

Dose. — Decoction, two to four ounces ; powder, thirty to sixty grains.

ANISE (PiMPINELLA ANISUM).

Common Name. Aniseed.

Medicinal Part. The fruit.

Description. —Anise has a perennial, spindle-shaped, woody root, and a smooth, erect, branched stem, about ten or twelve inches in height. The leaves are petiolated, roundish, cordate, serrate ; flowers small and white, disposed on long stalks. Calyx wanting, or minute. The fruit is ovate, about an eighth of an inch long, dull brown, and slightly downy.

History. — It is a native of Egypt, but now cultivated in many of the warm countries of Europe. The Spanish Aniseed is commonly used for medicinal purposes. The odor of anise is penetrating and fragrant, the taste aromatic and sweetish. It imparts its virtues wholly to alco- hol, only partially to water. That used in cordials is the Star Anise., which is procured from the Illicium Anisatum, a plant of Eastern Asia. Its volatile oil is often fraudulently substituted for the European oil of anise.

Properties and Uses. — Stimulant and carminative; used in cases of flatulency, colic of infants, and to remove nausea. Sometimes added to other medicines to improve their flavor or to correct disagreeable effects.

Dose.-Oi the seed, twenty to forty grains; essence, thirty drops to a teaspoonful.

ALOES (Aloe Spicata).

Medicinal Part. The inspissated juice of the leaves.

Description. — The spiked aloe is an inhabitant of the southern parts

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 39

of Africa, growing- in sandy soil. The stem is woody, round, and about four feet high, and from three to five inches in diameter. The leaves are thick and fleshy, with a few white spots. Spike a foot long ; flow- ers scarlet, and filled with purplish honey. This tree furnishes the Cape Aloes of commerce. There are other varieties, the A. Socotriim and the A. vulgaris. The Socotrine aloes is an inhabitant of Socotra, and the Aloe Vulgaris is generally found in the East Indies and Barbary.

History. — Aloes is of a deep brown or olive color ; odor unpleasant, taste peculiar and bitter, powder a bright yeUow. These properties change somewhat in the different varieties. It is almost completely dissolved in water.

Properties and Uses. — Aloes is tonic, purgative, emmenagogue, and anthelmintic. As a laxative its applications are limitless. It acts chiefly upon the rectum, causing heat and irritation about the anus ; it is therefore improper, unless associated with other medicines, to give it to patients suffering with piles. It promotes the menstrual flow, but when used for this purpose it had better be combined with myrrh. Its chief use is as a purgative, and it should never be given in inflamma- tory affections, in gastritis or enteritis, or to females liable to sudden uterine evacuation, or during pregnancy.

Dose. — Two to ten grains in pill.

ASARABACCA (Asarum Europium).

Common Naisees. Hazleicort, or Wild Na/rd.

Medicinal Parts. Boot and leaves.

BescHption. — The stem of this plant is very short, simple round and herbaceous, bearing dark-green reniform leaves ; also one drooping flower of purple color, without coroUa. The fruit is a capsule.

History. — This is a European plant, growing in moist hilly woods, and flowers from May to August. The root, when dried, has a pepper-like odor, spicy taste, and yields an ash-colored powder ; the leaves give a green powder, and have the same medicinal properties as of the root. They impart their virtues to water or alcohol.

Properties and Uses. —Emetic, cathartic, and errhine. Used princi- pally as an errhine in certain affections of the brain, eyes, face, and throat, toothache, and paralysis of the mouth and tongue. It is uset by drunkards in France to promote vomiting.

Dose. — Powder, 10 or 12 grains ; as an emetic, from one-half to on* drachm.

AYA-PANA (Aya-pana Eupatorium).

Medicinal Parts. The whole plant.

Description. — While traveling in Paraguay, South America, some

40

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

Aya-pana.

years ago, I became acquainted with a species of Eupatorium or Lun^ wort called Aya-pana^ possessed of most ex- traordinary virtues in consumption and othet diseases of the chest. In Paraguay, which is a very paradise on earth, numerous medicinal herbs of exceeding great value grow to the greatest perfection. The Aya-pana belongs to the class of Eupatorium Perfoliatum^ though quite unlike the Lungwort and Thorough-wort^ indigenous to North America. The Aya-pana is only found on the eastern slope of the Andes, on the mountain sides, alor.g the sun- ny banks of streams, and beautifulh' luxuriant on all the tributaries to the Amazon, and La Plata especially. It is a perennial plant, with numerous erect, round, hairy stems, five to ten feet high, the stalk plain below, but branching out in numerous stems near the top. The leaves grow on the opposite sides of the stalk in pairs, each pair being joined at the base. The direction of each pair of leaves is at right angles with that of the pair either above or beneath. The leaves are long and nar- row, broadest at the base where they coalesce, gradually tapering to a serrated point, wrinkled, palish green on the under surface, and beset with white silken hairs, which add much effect to their greenish-gray color. The flowers are snow-white, slightly tinged with a purplish hue at the end, very numerous, supported on hairy peduncles. The calyx is cylindrical, and composed of imbricated, lanceolate, hairy scales, in- closing from twelve to fifteen tubular florets, having their border divid- ed into five spreading segments. There are five black anthers imited ia a tube, through which a bifid filiform style projects above the flower, rendering the whole a beautiful and picturesque plant.

History. — It flowers constantly during the dry or sunny season, th© blossoms and leaves being only used for medicinal purposes. The flow- ers are better than the leaves, have an aromatic odor, resembling slight- ly chamomile, and possess a strong bitter taste, somewhat like hore- hound or quassia, which virtue is imparted either to water or alcohol. Resin, gum, balsam, and mucilage are among the principal constituents of the flowers. The flowers are gathered in the morning on sunny days, carefuUy dried in the sun or by artificial heat, when they are put up in bags or cedar boxes, and become ready for medicinal use. Prepared ip this way, the flowers and leaves retain their properties for years, im- proving in their virtues by age, adding to their rich honey-like yellow coloring matter when distilled for medical purposes.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 41

Properties and Uses. — TMs plant may rightly be regarded as a speciiio in all forms of pulmonary and bronchial affections. It has also great influence over the valvular action of the heart, in its healthful invigor- ation of the arterial and venous systems, and its wonderful power in expelling carbonic acid from the air-ceUs and pulmonary vessels, prior to the elimination of rich vermilion blood through the great aorta of the human economy.

It is one of the ingredients of my ' ' Acacian Balsam " (see page 469), which, with various other remarkable medicinal agents, forms one ol the most wonderful remedies for coughs, colds, and consumption ever com- pounded. This plant being of foreign growth, is imported by myself; I am thus enabled to secure the pure and genuine article.

BALM (IMelissa Officinalis).

MEDicmAL Part. The herh.

Description. — Balm is a perennial herb, with upright, branching, four- sided stems, from ten to twenty inches high. The leaves axe broadly ovate, acute, and more or less hairy. The flowers are pale yellow, with ascending stamens.

History. — Balm is a native of France, but naturalized in England and the United States. It grows in fields, along road-sides, and is weD known as a garden plant, flowering from May to August. The whole plant is ofiicinal or medicinal, and should be collected previous to flow- ering. In a fresh state it has a lemon-like odor, which is nearly lost by drying. Its taste is aromatic, faintly astringent, with a degree of per- sistent bitterness. Boiling water extracts its virtues. Balm contains a bitter extractive substance, a little tannin, gum, and a peculiar volatile oil. A pound of the plant yields about four grains of the oil, which is of a yellowish or reddish-yellow color, very hquid, and possessing the fragrance of the plant in a high degree. The Nepeta Citriodora.^ a pow- erful emmenagogue, is sometimes cultivated and employed by mistake for Balm. It has the same odor, but may be distinguished by having both surfaces of the leaves hairy.

Properties and Uses. — It is moderately stimulant, diaphoretic, and antispasmodic. A warm infusion, drank freely, is very serviceable to produce sweating, or as a diaphoretic in fevers. It is also very useful in painful menstruation, and also to assist the courses of females. "WTien given in fevers, it may be rendered more agreeable by the addition of lemon-juice. The infusion may be taken at pleasure.

BALMONY (Chelone Glabra).

Common Names. Snake head., Turtle hloom. Salt rh£um weed.

Medicinal Part. The leaves.

Description. — This is a perennial, smooth, herbaceous plant, with

42 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

simple erect stem about two or three feet high. The leaves are oppo- site, sessile, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, serrate, and of a dark shining green color. The fruit is a capsule.

Historj/.— This valuable medical plant is found in the United States, in damp soils, flowering in August and September. The flowers are ornamental, and vary in color according to the variety of the plant. The leaves are exceedingly bitter, but inodorous, and impart their virtues to water and alcohol.

Properties and Uses. — It is tonic, cathartic, and anthelmintic ; very valuable in jaundice, liver diseases, and for the removal of worms. In small doses it is a good tonic in dyspepsia, debility of the digestive organs, and during convalescence from febrile and inflammatory dis- eases. An ointment made from the fresh leaves is valuable for piles, inflamed breasts, tumors, and painful ulcers.

Dose. — Of the powdered leaves, one drachm ; of the tincture, one or two teaspoonsful ; of the active principle, Cheb?im, one or two grains.

BARBERRY (Berberis Vulgaris).

Medicinal Part. Bark and berries.

Description. — Barberry is an erect, deciduous shrub, from three to eight feet high, with leaves of an obovate-oval form, terminated by soft bristles, about two inches long, and one-third as wide. The flowers are small and yellow, in clusters, and the fruit bright-red oblong berries, in branches, and very acid.

History. — This shrub is found in the New England States, on the mountains of Pennsylvania and Virginia, among rocks and hard gravelly soil. Occasionally it is found in the West on rich grounds. It flowers in April and May, and ripens its fruit in June. Its active principle is Berberina.

Properties and Uses. — It is tonic and laxative, indicated in jaundice, chronic diarrhoea, and dysentery. The berries form an agreeable acidu- lous draught, useful as a refrigerant in fevers ; the bark is bitter and astringent, and used in the treatment of jaundice. The bark of the root is the most active ; a teaspoonful of the powder wiU act as a purgative. A decoction of the bark or berries will be found of service as a wash or gargle in aphthous sore mouth and chronic ophthalmia.

BAYBERRY (Mtrica Cerifera).

Common Name. Wax Myrtle. Medicinal Part. The bark of the root.

Descrivtion. — This shrub is branching and partially evergreen, and varies in height from two to a dozen feet. The flowers appeax in May,

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 43

'•before tbe leaves are fully expanded. The fruits are small and globular, resembling berries, whicli are at first green, but become nearly white. They consist of a hard stone, inclosing a two-lobed and two- seeded kernel. On the outside of the stone are gunpowder-like grains, and over these is a crust of dry greenish-white wax.

History. — Bayberry is found in woods and fields, from Canada to Florida. The bark of the root is the officinal part, but the wax is also used. Water must be employed to ex- tract the astringent principles of the root- bark, alcohol to extract its stimulating virtues. The period at which the root should be col- lected is the latter part of fall. Cleanse it thoroughly, and while fresh separate the bark Bayberry.

with a hammer or club. Dry the bark thor- oughly and keep it in a dry place ; then pulverize, and keep the powder in dark and sealed vessels. In order to obtain the wax, boil the berries in water ; the wax will soon float on the surface, and may be removed when it becomes cold and hardened.

Properties and Uses.— The bark has been successfully used in scrofula, jaundice, diarrhoea, dysentery, and in other cases where astringent stimulants were indicated. Powdered, it has been employed as a snuff, with curative effect, in catarrh of the head and nasal polypus. It is sometimes applied, in poultice form, to old ulcers, sores, tumors, etc. ; but is better for these when combined with Bloodroot. The wax pos- sesses mild astringent with narcotic properties. The real properties of Bayberry bark are found in a preparation called Myricin^ which is a stimulant and astringent, and can be employed to the best advantage in dysentery with typhoid symptoms, chronic diarrhoea, scrofula, and fol- licular stomatitis. Its greatest and most salutary influence is exerted over a diseased condition of the mucous surface. Myricin should be administered internally by the advice of a physician acquainted with its virtues. It may be applied externally to sores, ulcers, etc. , by any- body ; but its immediate effects must be neutralized by a poultice of slippery elm

ARBERRT (Auctostaphylos Uva-Ursi).

Common Name. The Upland Cranberry. MEDicmAL Part. The Leaves.

Bescription. — Bearberry is a small, perennial shrub, having a long ibrous root. The stems are woody and trailing ; bark smooth. The

44 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

leaves are alternate, evergreen, obovate, acute, and liave sTiort petioies. The fruit is a smalL scarlet-colored drupaceous berry.

History. — This plant is a perennial evergreen, common in the northern part of Europe and America. It grows on dry, sterile, sandy soils, and gravelly ridges. The berries ripen in winter, although the flowers appear from June to September. The green leaves, picked from the stems in the fall and dried in a moderate heat, are the parts used. These leaves are odorless until reduced to powder, when the odor emitted is like that of dried grass. The powder is of a light brown color, tinged with a yellowish green. The taste is astringent and bit- terish. The properties of the leaves are extracted by alcohol or water. A preparation called JJi'sin is made from them.

Properties and Uses. — Uva Ursi is especially astringent and tonic, de- pending upon these qualities for the most of its good effects. It is par- ticularly useful in chronic diarrhoea, dysentery, profuse menstruation, piles, diabetes, and other similar complaints. It possesses rare curative principles when administered for diseases of the urinary organs, more especially in chronic affections of the kidneys, mucous discharges from the bladder, inflammation of the latter organ, and aU derangements of the water-passages. It is also a valuable assistant in the cure of gon- orrhoea of long standing, whites, ulceration of the cervix uteH (or necij of the womb), pain in the vesical region, etc. Many physicians now rely upon it as the basis of their remedy for gonorrhoea which is accom- panied by mucous discharges, and for all kindred afflictions. Its tannio acid gives it great power in rectifying and extirpating the obstinate and disagreeable complaints we have mentioned.

Dose. — The dose of the powder is ten to forty grains ; of the decoc- tion, one to two fluid ounces — (to make this, boil a pint and a half of pure water, containing one ounce of uva ursi, down to a pint) ; of the extract, five to ten grains.

BEARS BED rPOLYTRICHIUM JUNIPERUM).

Common Names. Eair-cap Moss^ BohirCs Bye., Ground Moss.

Medicinal Part. The icJwle plant.

Description. — This is an indigenous plant, having a perennial stem, slender, of a reddish color, and from four to seven inches high ; leaves lanceolate, and somewhat spreading. The fruit a four-sided oblong capsule.

History.— This evergreen plant is found in high, dry places, along the margins of dry woods, mostly on poor sandy soil. It is of darker green color than the mosses in general. It yields its virtues to boiHng water.

Properties and Uses. — This plant is not much known as a remedial agent, but is nevertheless a valuable remedy. It is a powerful diuretic-

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 45

and very serviceable in dropsy. It is very useful in gravel and urinary obstructions. It causes no nausea or disagreeable sensations in the stomach, and may be used with the hydragogue cathartics with decided advantage in dropsical affections.

BEAD TREE (Melia Azedabach).

Common Name. Pride of China.

Medicinal Part. The hark of the root.

Description. — This is an elegant tree, which attains the heig-ht oi thirty or forty feet, with a trunk about a foot and a half in diameter. The bark is rough ; leaves bipinnate ; flowers lilac color ; calyx five- parted ; corolla has five petals ; stamens deep violet ; anthers yellow. The fruit is a five-celled bony nut. -- ~

History. — It is a native of China, but cultivated in the warm climateh of Europe and America. It does not grow to any extent north of Vir- ginia, and flowers early in the spring. Its name of Bead Tree is derived from the use to which its hard nuts are put in Roman Catholic countries, viz. , for making rosaries. The recent bark of the root is the most active part for medicinal purposes. It has a disagreeably bitter taste and a very unpleasant odor, and imparts its properties to boiling water.

Properties and Uses. — The bark is anthelmintic, and in large doses narcotic and emetic. It is useful in worm fevers and in infantile re- mittents, in which, although worms are absent, yet the symptoms are sLTiilar to those accompanying the presence of worms. -

The fruit is somewhat saccharine, and is an excellent remedy to expel worms. Its pulp is used as an ointment for destroying lice and other ectozoa, as well as in treatment of scald head and other diseases of the sMn. The oil of the nuts is useful as a local application in rheuma- tism, cramps, obstinate ulcers, etc.

Dose. — Of the powdered bark, twenty grains ; of the decoction (which is the best form for administration — two ounces of the bark to a pint of water, and boiled do-w-n to a half a pint), a tablespooniul every one, two, or three hours, till the desired effect is obtained. A purgative should follow its employment.

BELLADONNA (Atropa Belladonna).

Oommon Names. Deadly Night-shade^ Dwale., Black Cherry, etc.

Medicinal Pakt. The leaves.

Description. — This perennial herb has a thick, fleshy, creeping root, and an annual erect leafy stem about three feet high. Leaves ovate, acute, entire, on short petioles, and of a dulj green color. The flowers are dark purple, and fruit a many-seeded berry.

History. — This plant is common to Europe, growing among ruins and

46

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

waste places, blossoming from May to August, and maturing its fruit in September. The leaves should be gathered while the plant is in flower. They yield their virtues to water and alcohol.

Properties and Uses. — Belladonna is an energetic narcotic. It is anodyne, antispas- modic, calmative, and relaxant; exceedingly valuable in all convulsive diseases. It is much used as a preventive of scarlatina, and as a cure for whooping-cough. It dilates the pupil of the eyes very measurably, and they should always be watched whenever the plant is ad- ministered. In the hands of the educated herbal physician it is a very useful remedy ; but I caution my readers not to use it in domestic practice.

BETH-ROOT (Trillium pendulum). CoMivioN Names. Wake Bobin, Ind/ian Balm^ Belladonna. Ground lAly^ etc.

Medicinal Part. TJie root.

Description. — This is an herbaceous, perennial plant, having an oblong tuberous root, from which arises a slender stem from ten to fifteen inches high. The leaves are three in number, acuminate, from three to five inches in diameter, with a very short petiole. The flowers are white, sepals green, petals ovate and acute, styles erect, and stigmas recurved.

History. — This plant is common in the Middle and Western States, growing in rich soils and shady woods, flowering in May and June. There are many varieties, all possessing analogous medicinal properties. These plants may be generally known by their three net-veiaed leaves, and their solitary terminal flower, which varies in color in the different species, being whitish-yellow and reddish- white. The roots have a faint turpentine odor, and a peculiar aromatic and sweetish taste. When chewed they impart an acid astringent impression to the mouth, cans- ing a flow of saliva and a sensation of heat in the throat and fauces. TnlUne is its active principle.

Properties and Uses. — It is astringent, tonic, and antiseptic, and ia successfully employed in bleeding from the lungs, kidneys, and womb, excessive menstruation, and likewise in leucorrhoea or whites, and cough, asthma, and difficult breathing. Boiled in milk, it is of eminent benefit in diarrhoea and dysentery. The root made into a poultice is very useful in tumors, indolent and offensive ulcers, stings of insects, and to restrain gangrene ; and the leaves boiled in lard are a good application to ulcers, tumors, etc. The red Beth-root will check ordinary epistaxis, or bleed-

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. . 47

ing of the nose. The leaves boiled in lard is a good external application in ulcers and tumors. A strong infusion of powdered Beth-root, of from two to four tablespoonfuls, is the most pleasant form of administration of this valuable remedy.

Dose of the powdered root is one drachm, to be given in hot water ; of the infusion, two to four ounces.

BIEDS' NEST (Monotropa Uniflora).

Common Names. Ice Plant, Fit Plant, Ova-ova, Indian Pipe.

Medicestal Part. The root.

Descnption. — This plant has a dark-colored, fibrous, perennial root, matted in masses like a chestnut vine, from which arise one or more short ivory-white stems, four to eight inches high, adorned with white, sessile, lanceolate leaves.

History. — This singular plant is found from Maine to Carolina, and westward to IMissouri, growing in shady, solitary places, in rich moist soil, or soil composed of decayed wood and leaves. The whole plant is ivory-white, resembling frozen jelly, and when handled melts away like ice. It flowers from June to September. It is evidently a parasite of the roots at the base of trees.

Properties and Uses. — It is tonic, sedative, and antispasmodic. It is useful in fevers, and employed in instances of restlessness, pains, nervous irritability, etc. , in place of opium. It cures remittent and intermittent fevers, and may be employed instead of quinine. Prompt success has followed its use m convulsive diseases. The juice of the plant mixed with rose-water forms an excellent application to sore eyes, or as an in- jection in gonorrhoea. It is very singular that people will use injurious drugs, or permit themselves to take them, when in this queer little herb that grows all around them, and which by its singular character invites attention to it, they can find a sovereign remedy for numberless ilia.

Dose. — Of the powdered root, half a drachm to a drachm, two or three times a day.

BITTER ROOT (Apocynum Andros^mifolium).

Common Names. Dog's-hane, Milk-weed, etc.

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — This is a smooth, elegant plant, five or six feet high, with a large perennial root. The leaves are dark-green above, pale be- neath, ovate, and about two or three inches long and an inch wide. Corolla white, calyx five-cleft, and stamens five. Fruit a foUicle. Every part of the plant is milky.

History. — This plant is indigenous to the United States, growing in dry, sandy soils, and in the borders of woods, from Maine to Florida,

48

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

flowering from May to August. When any part of thh plant is wounded a milky juice exudes. The large, milky root is the part used for medi- cinal purposes. It possesses an unpleasant amarous taste. It yields its properties to alcohol, but especially to water. Age impairs its medicinal quality.

Properties and Uses. — Emetic, diaphoretic, tonic, and laxative. It is very valuable in all liver or chronic hepatic affections. In conjunction with Meymjwrmin, it is excellent in dyspepsia and amenorrhoea. When it is required to promptly empty the stomach, without causing much nausea or a relaxed condition of the muscular system, the powdered root may be given in two or three scruple doses ; but much prostration is apt to ensue. As a laxative it is useful in constipation. As a tonic, ten or twenty grains may be given to stimulate the digestive apparatus, and thus effect a corresponding imx^ression on the general system. It is also useful as an alterative in rheumatism, scrofula, and syphilis.

BITTER-SWEET (Amara Dulcis, Solanum Dulcamara).

Common Names. Mortal^ Woody JVightsJiade, Felon Wort, etc. Medicinal Part. Bark of root and twigs.

Description. — Bitter-Sweet is a woody vine, with a shrubby stem Beveral feet in length, having an ashy green bark. Leaves acute, and

generally smooth, lower one cordate, upper ones hastate. The flowers are purple, and the fruit a scarlet, juicy and bitter berry, which, however, should not be eaten or used.

History. — Bitter-Sweet is common to both Europe and America, growing in moist banks, around dwellings, and in low damp grounds, about hedges and thickets, and flowering in June and July. The berries ripen in au- tumn, and hang upon the vines for several months. After the foHage has fallen the twigs should be gath- ered. Boiling water and dilute alco- hol extract their virtues.

Properties and Uses. — It is a mild narcotic, diuretic, alterative, diaphor- etic, and discutient. It is serviceable in cutaneous diseases, syphilitic diseases, rheumatic and cachectic affec- tions, ill-conditioned ulcers, scrofula, indurations, sores, glandular swellings, etc. In obstructed menstruation it serves a good purpose.

Bitter-Sweet.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 49

It is of incalculable benefit in leprosy, tetter, and all skin diseases. It excites the venereal functions, and is in fact capable of wide application and use. I regard this plant as important as any in the herbal kingdom, and too little justice is done to it by those under whose care the sick are enl rusted. It receives but half the homage that is due to it.

The world knows the virtues of my "Herbal Ointment" (see page 472), and which is in great measure due to Bitter- Sweet, as it is one of the ingredients.

Dose. — Of the decoction, one or two fluid ounces ; extract, two to five grains ; powdered leaves, ten to thirty grains.

BLUE FLAG (Ims Versicolor).

Medicinal Part. The rUzome.

Descnption. — Blue Flag is an indigenous plant, with a fleshy, fibroua rhizome. The stem is two or three feet in height, round on one side, acute on the other, and frequently branched. The leaves are ensiform, about a foot long, half an inch to an inch wide. The fruit a three-celled capsule.

History. — Blue Flag is common throughout the United States, grow- ing in moist places, and bearing blue or purple flowers from May to July. The root has a peculiar odor, augmented by rubbing or pulveriz- ing, and a disagreeable taste. It imparts its virtues to boiling water, alcohol, or ether. The root should be sliced transversely, dried, and placed in dark vessels, well closed, and placed in a dark place ; it will then preserve its virtues for a long time. The oleo-redn obtained from it is called Iridin, its active principle.

Projierties and Uses. — This is one among our most valuable medicinal plants, capable of extensive use. It is alterative, cathartic, sialogogue, vermifuge, and diuretic. In scrofula and syphilis it acts as a powerful and efficient agent, and 1 employ it in my special treatment of chronic diseases extensively and successftdly. It is useful in chronic hepatic, renal, and splenitic aftections, but had best be combined with man- drake, poke, black cohosh, etc. It will sometimes salivate, but it need cause no apprehension ; and when this effect is established, it may be dis- tinguished from mercurial salivation by absence of stench, sponginess of the gums, and loosening of the teeth.

JJose. — Powdered root, five to ten grains ; Iridin, one grain.

BLUE VERVAIN (Verbena Hastata).

Common Names. Wild Hyssop, Simpler's Joy.

Medicinal Part. T7ie root and herb.

Descrvption. — Vervain is an erect, tall, elegant, and perennial plant.

50

/THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

Blue Vervain,

with a four-angled stem three or four feet hig-h, having opposite branches. The leaves are petiolate, ser- rate, acuminate, and hastate. The flower is a small purplish blue one, sessile, and ar- ranged in long spikes. Seeds, four.

History. — Vervain is indigenous to the United States, and grows along roadsides, and in dry, grassy fields, flowering from June to September. It is also found in England, growing among hedges, by the way-side, and other waste grounds, flower- ing in July, and the seeds ripening soon after.

Properties and Uses. — Vervain is tonic, expectorant, sudorific, and antispasmodic. It is serviceable in mismenstruation. It is an antidote to poke-poisoning. It expels worms, and is a capital agent for the cure of all diseases of the spleen and liver. If given in intermittent fever, in a warm infusion or powder, it never fails to effect a cure. In all cases of cold and obstinate menstruation it is a most complete and advantageous sudorific. When the circulation of the blood is weak and languid, it will increase it and restore it to its proper operation. The infusion, taken cold, forms a good tonic in cases of constitutional debility, and during convalescence from acute diseases. Its value has been found to be great in scrofula, visceral obstructions, and stone and gravel. It will correct diseases of the stomach, help coughs, wheezing, and shortness of breath, etc. , but its virtues are more wonderful still in the effect they produce upon epilepsy, or falling sick- ness, and fits.

This great — very great — medicinal value of this plant was brought to my attention by an accidental knowledge of the good it had effected in a long-standing case of epilepsy. Its effects in that case were of the most remarkable character, and I was, therefore, led to study most care- fully and minutely its medicinal peculiarities. I found, after close in- vestigation and elaborate experiment, that, prepared in a certain way, and compounded with boneset, water-pepper, chamomile blossoms, and the best of whiskey, it has no equal for the cure of fits, or falling sick- ness, or anything like fits ; also for indigestion, dyspepsia, and liver complaints of every grade. A more valuable plant is not found within the whole range of the herbal pharmacopoeia. See ' ^Restorative Assimi- la?it,^^ page 47^^.

The following application is singularly effective in promoting the ab- sorption of the blood, effusion in bruises, and allaying the attendant

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

51

pain : Take of Vervain, Senna, and "VMiite Pepper, of each equal parts ; make a cataplasm or plaster by mixing with white of eggs.

It is also most valuable as a cure for diarrhoea, stomachic and enteric pains, bowel complaints, and a superexcellent tonic.

I first brought the notice of physicians to this plant about thirty years ago, previous to which it was unknown as a remedy, but which is now ased by very many physicians, whose reports of its virtues in various medical journals, published works, and to me by correspondence, are aa flattering as my owti.

Dose. — Of the powdered root, from one to two scruples ; the dose of the infusion is from two to four wine-gla?«fuls three or four times a day, if an emetic is desired.

BLACK COHOSH (CmiciFUGA. Racemosa).

Common Names. Rattleroot^ Squaw Root, Black Snake Boot.

Medicinal Part. The root.

Bescription. — ^This plant is a tall, leafy perennial herb, with a larg* knotty root, having long slender fibres. The stem is simple, smooth, and furrowed, and from three to nine feet high. The flower is a small and fetid one.

History. — It is a native of the United States, inhabiting upland woods and hillsides, and flowering from May to August. The root is the medicinal part. It contains a resin, to which the names of Cimidfugin or Macrotin have been given ; likewise fatty substances, starch, gum, tannic acid, etc. The leaves of Cimidfuga are said to drive away bugs ; hence its name from dmex., a bug, and fugo, to drive away.

Boiling water takes up the properties of the iroot but partially, alcohol wholly.

Properties and Uses. — It is a very active and useful remedy in many diseases. It is slightly narcotic, sedative, antispasmodic, and exerts a marked influence over the nervous system. It is successfully used in cholera, periodical convulsions, fits, epilepsy, nervous excitability, asth- ma, delirium tremens, and many spasmodic affections, and in consump- tion, cough, acute rheumatism, neuralgia, and scrofula. Also, very val- uable in amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, and other menstrual and uterine affect' ons, leucorrhoea. etc. The saturated tinctture of the root is a val- uable embrocation in all cases of inflammation of the nerves, tic doulou reux. crick in the back or sides, rheumatism, old ulcers, etc. It has an

Black Cohosli.

52 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

especial affinity for the uterus, and as it reduces very materially the arterial action, it is, hence, very useful in palpitation of the heart, and cardiac affections generally.

It exerts a tonic influence over mucous and serous tissues, and is a superior remedy in a variety of chronic diseases. In my special practice I use it largely, and its use, in conjunction with other indicated reme- dies, has afforded me flattering success in many chronic affections.

Dose. — Flvdd extract, half a drachm to two drachms; solid extract, four to eight grains ; of the tincture the dose is from one to three tea- spoonsful ; of Cimidfugin the dose is from one to six grains.

BLAZING STAR (Liatris Squarrosa).

Common Names. Gay Feather^ DeviVs Bit^ ete.

Medicinal Part. TJie root.

Description. — There are three varieties of this plant used in medicine. The above is the most common one. It has a tuberous root, and an erect annual stem from two to five feet high, linear leaves, and flowers sessile, and of bright purple color.

Liatris Spicata., or Button Snake Root, is very similar to the above.

Liatris Scariosa., or Gay Feather, has a perennial tuberous root, with a stout stem from four to five feet high. The leaves are numerous and lanceolate, lower one on long petioles.

History. — The two former are natives of the Middle and Southern States, and the latter is found from New England to "Wisconsin. These splendid natives flower from August to September. The roots have a hot bitter taste and an agreeable turpentine odor. The virtues are ex- tracted by alcohol.

Properties and Uses. — These plants are diuretic, tonic, stimulant, and emmenagogue. The decoction is very useful in gonorrhoea, gleet, and kidney diseases. It is also of service in uterine diseases. As a gargle in sore throat it is of great advantage. These plants are used for, and said to have antidotal powers over snake-bites.

BONESET (EuPATORiUM Perfoliatum).

Common Name. Thoroxighwort.

Medicinal Parts. TJie tops and leaves.

Description. — Boneset is an indigenous perennial herb, with a horizon- tal crooked root ; the stems being round, stout, rough and hairy, from one to five feet high, and the leaves veiny, serrate, rough, and tapering to a long point. The flowers are white and very numerous.

History. — Boneset grows in low grounds, on the borders of swamps and streams, throughout the United States, flowering in August and Septem-

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 53

,ber. Alcohol or boiling- water extracts the virtues of the parts used. It

has a feeble odor, but a very bitter taste. It contains tannin and the

extractive salts of potassa. It is called

Boneset on account that it .was formerly

supposed to cause rapid union of broken

bones.

Properties and Uses. — It is a very valu- able medicinal agent. The cold infusion or extract is tonic and aperient, the warm infusion diaphoretic and emetic. As a tonic it is very useful in remittent, inter- mittent, and typhoid fevers, dyspepsia, and general debility. In intermittent fever a stong infusion, as hot as can be comfort- ably swallowed, is administered for the purpose of vomiting freely. This is also Boneset.

attended with profuse diaphoresis, and,

sooner or later, by an evacuation of the bowels. During the intermis- sion the cold infusion or extract is given every hour as a tonic and antiperiodic. In epidemic influenza the warm infusion is val- uable as an emetic and diaphoretic, likewise in febrile diseases, ca- tarrh, colds, and wherever such effects are indicated. The warm infusion is also administered to promote the operation of other emetics. ExternaUy., used alone or in combination with hops or tansy, etc., a fomentation of the leaves applied to the bowels is very useful in inflam- mation, spasms, and painful affections.

Boneset is one of the ingredients of my "Restorative Assimilant," and is certainly an excellent adjuvant to the Blue Vervain. (See page 472.)

Dose. — Of the powder, from ten to twenty grains; of the extract, from two to four grains ; of the infusion, from two to four wineglass- fuls.

BLACK ROOT (Leptandria Virgd^ica).

Common Names. Gvlvefs Physic^ Tall Speedwell.

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — It is perennial, with a simple, straight, smooth, herba- ceous stem, and grows from three to four or five feet in height. The leaves are short petioled, whorled in fours to sevens, lanceolate, acumi- nate, and finely serrated. The flowers are white, nearly sessile, and very numerous. Calyx four-parted, corolla small and nearly white ; stamens, two. The fruit is a many-seeded capsule.

History. — This plant is indigenous to the United States, but is to be found in good condition only in limestone countries. It is often discov-

54

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

ered in new soil, in moist woods, in swamps, etc., but its medicinal vir- tues are feeble, excepting when it is found where there is limestone. The root is the part used. It is perennial, irregular, horizontal, woody, and about as thick as the forefinger. It is gathered in the fall of the second year. The fresh root should never be used, as it is very violent and uncertain in its operations. The dried root, after having been properly prepared, is what may be relied upon for beneficial effects. Leptandrin is its active principle.

Properties and Uses. — The fresh root is too irritant to be used, although a decoction of it may, with care, be used in intermittent fever. The dried root is laxative, cholagogue, and tonic, and very much used in chronic hepatic diseases. It is an excellent laxative in febrile diseases, and peculiarly applicable in bilious and typhoid fevers. As a laxative and tonic it is very useful in dyspepsia, especially when associated with torpidity of the liver. In diarrhoea and dysentery, as a cathartic it fre- quently effects a cure in one active dose. This admirable remedy is one of the ingredients of my " Renovating Pill,"

Dose. — Powdered root, twenty to sixty grams; infusion, half an ounce ; leptandrin, one-fourth grain to a grain.

BLOODROOT (Sanguinaria Canadensis).

Common Name. Red Puccoon. Medicinal Part. The root. Descrijjtion. — Bloodroot is a smooth, her baceous, perennial plant, with a fibrous root, which when cut or bruised emits an orange- colored juice. From each bud of the root stalk there springs a single leaf about six inches high, and which is cordate and reni- form. The flower is white, stamens short, and anthers yellow. The fruit is a two-valved capsule.

History. — Bloodroot grows throughout the United States, in shaded woods and thickets, and rich soils generally, and flowers from March to June. Although the whole plant is medicinal, the root is the part chiefly used. Bloodroot. The fresh root is fleshy, round, and from one

to four inches in length, and as thick as the fingers. It presents a beautiful appearance when cut and placed under a microscope, seeming like an aggregation of minute precious stones. The dried root is dark bro\vn outside, bright yellow inside ; has a faint virose odor, and a bitter and acrid taste. It may be readily reduced to

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 55

powder. Its active properties are taken up by boiling water or by alcohol. Age and moisture impair the qualities of the root, and it ia of the utmost consequence to get that which has been properly gathered, and not kept too long. It yields several principles, among which are sanguinaria, puccine, chelidonic acid, a yellowish fixed oil, lignin, and gum.

Properties and Uses. — The actions of Bloodroot vary according to ad- ministration. In small doses it stimulates the digestive organs, acting as a stimulant and tonic. In large doses it is an arterial sedative. It is useful in bronchitis, laryngitis, whooping-cough, and other affections of the respiratory organs. It excites the energies of a torpid liver, and has proved beneficial in scrofula, amenorrhoea, and dysentery. Applied to fungous growths, ulcers, fleshy excrescences, cancerous affections, the powder acts as an escharotic, and the infusion is often applied with benefit to skin diseases.

Dose. — Of the powder as an emetic, ten to twenty grains ; as a stimu- lant and expectorant, three to five grains ; as an alterative, half a grata to two grains. Tincture, twenty to sixty drops.

BOX (Buxus Sempervikens).

Medicinal Part. The leaves.

Description. — Box is a smaU, dense-leaved, hard-wood evergreen tree. The leaves are ovate, deep shining green, becoming red in autumn ; flowers pale yellow ; and the fruit a six-seeded globular capsule.

Histoo^y. — The box tree is a native of the west of Asia, but grows on dry hills and sandy elevations generally in Europe, and but rarely on similar soil in America. A preparation called Buxina is obtained from the powdered bark, but the leaves are the parts mainly used in medical practice. They readily impart their virtues to alcohol or water.

Properties and Uses.— It is cathartic, sudorific, and alterative. The preparations of the leaves are excellent for the expulsion of worms, for purging the bowels, and regulating the action of the liver ; for breaking fevers, and for purifying the blood and glandular secretions. In syrup it is very valuable as a cure for all diseases of a syphilitic character, and may be used alone to great advantage, where the compound syrup of stillingia cannot be obtained. The stillingia is preferable if it is at all to be had. The dose of a strong decoction, or syrup, of box, is half a fluid ounce, three times a day. In very severe cases the dose may be increased to a fluid ounce ; but this should not be undertaken excepting by the advice of a physician. When intestinal worms are to be destroyed or expelled, the powdered leaves are usually administered in, to chil- dren, doses of five grains ; to adults, in doses of from ten to fifteen grains. It possesses antispasmodic qualities, and has been given with

56 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

good effect in hysteria, epilepsy, chorea (St. Vitus' Dance), etc. Chips of the wood (decoction) are useful in chronic rheumatism. The chief value of the Buxus Sempervirens^ however, centres in its antisyphilitic virtues. I^ combine it with corydalis (Turkey pea) and the compound syru;^ of stillingia, in such a manner that it will surely cure syphilis in the first, second, or third stage ; also certain forms of scrofula and scurvy. In other diseases it is no better than many other plants men- tioned in this book.

The reader will do well to remember that the common garden box possesses the medical qualities of the Buxus Setnpervirens to a feeble extent only. The powerful antisyphilitic virtues of which I have spoken can be procured only from the leaves of the tree reared in Asia, the in^ fluences of that climate being requisite to perfect them.

BUCHU (Barosma Crenata).

Medicinal Part. The leaves.

Description. — This plant has a slender, smooth, upright, perennial stem, between two and three feet high. The leaves are opposite, flat, about an inch long, ovate or obovate, acute, serrated, and dotted. The flowers are pink, and fruit an ovate capsule.

History. — The Buchu plant is a native of Southern Africa. It does not grow very prolifically. There are two other varieties from which the leaves are taken, and which are of equal value with the Barosma CrenatOj. The leaves are the parts which are termed officinal. The Hottentots gather these leaves (which emit a sort of minty odor) and powder them. "The powder," says a traveler, "they have named Booko., and they use it for anointing their bodies." They also distil the leaves, and obtain from them a strong spirituous liquor somewhat re- sembling pale brandy, which they not only use for convivial purposes, but for the cure of various diseases, particularly those which are located in the stomach, bladder, bowels, and kidneys. A decoction of ths leaves is systematically applied by them, with success, we are told, to wounds ; but this is an assertion of which we have no direct proof. Asi we get them, the leaves are nearly, or quite, an inch in length, and from a sixth to half an iuch in width, elliptical, lanceolate, slightly acute, oi shorter and obtuse ; their margin is serrated and glandular, upper sur^ face smooth, and of a clear shining green, the under surface paler, Avitl scattered oil points. They taste and smell like pennyroyal ; but ar « neither heating nor bitter when chewed. They have to be kept very carefully, if their odor and virtues are desired to be thoroughly preserved for any reasonable length of time. The leaves of all the varieties are somewhat similar, and possess about the same qualities. They yield there volatile oil and extractive (upon which their virtues are mainly depen- dent) to alcohol or water.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 57

Properties and Uses. — Buchu is aromatic and stimulant, diuretic and diaphoretic. It is employed in dyspepsia with a palliative effect, but is chiefly administered in chronic inflammation of the bladder, irritation of the membrane of the urethra, uric acid gravel, diabetes in its first stage, and in incontinence of urine. It is recommended, without good reason, for cutaneous and rheumatic affections. I have no doubt Buchu is of some importance in chronic diseases of the urino-genital organs, for I have tried it ; but I am sure that we have many native remedies which are altogether superior, and which are neglected only because the public is so familiar with them that they do not care to give them a fair trial.

Dose. — Of the powder, twenty to thirty grains ; infusion, two to four ounces ; tincture, one or two drachms ; fl. extract, thirty to sixty drops.

BURNING BUSH (Euonymus Atropurpureus).

Co:mmox Names. WoJioo, Spindle Tree, etc.

Medicinal Part. The hark of the root.

Beseription. — Wahoo is a small shrub or bush, with smooth branches, and from five to ten feet high. The leaves are from two to five inches in length, lanceolate, acute, and finely serrate. Flowers dark purple, and the fruit a crimson, five-celled capsule. There is another variety known as Euonymus Americanvs.^ which is equally useful medicinally, and this and the foregoing are both known by the name of Wahoo better than by any other title.

History. — These plants grow in many sections of the United States, in woods and thickets, and in river bottoms, flowering in June. The haxk of the root has a bitter and unpleasant taste in its natural shape, and yields its qualities to water and alcohol. The active principle is Euo- nymin.

Properties and Uses. — It is tonic, laxative, alterative, diuretic, and expectorant. It is serviceable in dyspepsia, torpid liver, constipation, dropsy, and pulmonary diseases. In intermittents it serves a good purpose.

Dose. — Of the powder, twenty to thirty grains ; tincture, one to four drachms ; Euonymin, one-eighth to half a grain.

BUTTER ^"EED (Erigeron Canadense).

Common Names, CoWs Tail, Pride Weed, Horse Weed, Canada Flea- Bane.

Medicinal Part. The whole pjlant.

Descnption. — This is an indigenous, annual herb, with a high bristly, hairy stem, from six inches to nine feet high. The leaves are lanceo- late ; flowers small, white, and very numerous.

History. — Butterweed is common to the Northern and Middle States,

58 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

grows in fields and meadows, byroad-sides, and flowers from June to September. It should be gathered when in bloom, and carefully dried. It has a feeble odor, somewhat astringent taste, and yields its virtues to alcohol or water.

Properties and Uses. — It is tonic, diuretic, and astringent. It is use- ful in gravel, diabetes, dropsy, and in many kidney diseases. It can also be employed in diarrhoea, dysentery, etc. The volatUe oil may be used instead of the infusion.

Dose. — Of the powder, half a drachm ; infusion, two to four ounces ; fl. extract, teaspoonful ; oil, from four to six drops on sugar.

CAHINCA (CniococcA Racemosa).

Common Name. Snoio Berry.

Medicinal Part. The bark of the root.

Description. — This is a climbing shrub, with a round branched root, and a stem from eight to twelve feet high. The leaves are ovate and smooth ; flowers white and odorless, and become yellow and redolent ; calyx, five-cleft ; corolla, funnel-shaped ) stamens, five. The fruit is a small white berry.

History. — This plant is a native of the West Indies, Florida, and South America. The root has a coffee-like taste, of a reddish-brown color, and a disagreeable odor. It affords the Cahincic Acid., its most important medicinal agent.

Properties and Uses. — In medium doses it aids the urinary discharge, increases the action of the heart, and promotes perspiration. It has been found efficient in amenorrhoea, rheumatism, syphilis, etc., and is used in Brazil as an antidote to snake-bites.

Dose. — Of the powder, from twenty to sixty grains.

CALICO BUSH (Kalmia Latifolia),

Common Names. Sheep Laurel, Spoonwood, Mountain Laurel, Lamb- hill.

Medicinal Part. The leaves.

Description. — This handsome plant is a shrub from four to eight feet high, with crooked stems and a rough bark. The leaves are evergreen, ovate, lanceolate, acute at each end, on long petioles, and from two to three inches long. The flowers are white and numerous. The fruit is a dry capsule.

History. — Sheep Laurel inhabits the rocky hills and elevated grounds of most parts of the United States. Its beautiful flowers appear in June and July. The leaves are reputed to be poisonous to sheep and other animals, and it is said that birds which have eaten them will poison those who eat the birds. The leaves are the officinal part. At-

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 59

tention was called to their medicinal virtues by the use which the Indians make of them, viz. , a decoction by which they commit suicide.

Prai^rUes and Uses. — The plant, in medicinal doses, is antisyphilitic, sedative to the heart, and somewhat astringent. It is a most efficient agent in syphilis, fevers, jaundice, neuralgia, and inflammation. The preparation should be used with great care and prudence. In cases of poisoning with this plant, either man or beast, whiskey is the best anti- dote. Externally, stewed with lard, it is serviceable as an ointment for various skin diseases.

Dose. — The saturated tincture of the leaves is the best form of ad- ministration. It is given in from ten to twenty drops every two or three hours. Powdered leaves, from ten to twenty grains.

CANCER ROOT (Orobanche Virgeniana).

Common Name. Beech Drops.

Medicinal Pabt. The plant.

Description. — This is a parasitic plant, with a smooth, leafless stem from a foot to a foot and a half in height, with slender branches given off the whole length of it. The root is scaly and tuberous.

History.— This, plant is native to North America, and generally a para- site upon the roots of beech trees, flowering in August and September. The whole plant is of a dull red color, without any verdure. It has a disagreeable, astringent taste It yields its virtues to water and alco- hol.

Properties and Uses. — An eminent astringent. Used with benefit in fluxes and in diarrhoea, but possesses no property of curing cancer. It can be used with advantage in erysipelas. LocaUy applied to wounds, it prevents or arrests the process of mortification. It is also useful as an appHcation to obstinate ulcers, aphthous ulcerations, etc. , etc. It exerts the same influence upon the capillary system as the mineral drug tinc- ture of iron.

CANNABIS INDICA.

Common Name. Lidian Hemp.

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — This is an herbaceous annual, growing about three feet high, with an erect, branched, angular bright green stem. The leaves are alternate, or opposite, on long lax foot-stalks, roughish, with sharply serrated leaflets tapering into a long, smooth entire point. The male flowers are drooping and long, the females simple and erect. The seeds are small, ash-colored, and inodorous.

History .—GvimxahiB Indica, or Cannabis Sativa, is a native of the Caucasus, Persia, but grows in the hilly regions of Northern India. It is cultivated in many parts of Europe and Asia ; but medicine of value

60 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

can only be made from the Indian variety, t"he active principle of the plant being developed only by the heat of the climate of Hindostan. The dried tops and resin are the parts used. The preparations called Churrus, Ounjah^ Bhang ^ Hashish^ etc. , sold in this country, are most- ly feeble imitations of the genuine articles, and are comparatively worthless. Even the few specimens of the genuine productions which reach the shops, and are sold at high prices, are crude and inferior, and can in no wise impart the effects which attach to the pure article. It is a matter of great difficulty to procure the genuine article even direct from dealers in India, unless you have had years of experience as a practising herbal physician, and have established business connections in various parts of the world as an importer of rare and pure medicinal herbs, barks, roots, resins, etc.

The Cannabis Saliva^ or common hemp, possesses similar properties, and can be substituted if the Asiatic hemp is not procurable.

Pro^jerties and Uses. — It is narcotic, anodyne, and antispasmodic. It has been successfully employed in gout, neuralgia, rheumatism, locked- jaw, convulsions, chorea, hysteria, and uterine hemorrhage ; but it is chiefly valuable as an invigorator of mind and body. Its exhilarating qualities are unequalled, and it is a certain restorative in low mental conditions, as well as in cases of extreme debility and emaciation. In such cases it may be regarded as a real rejuvenator. It should be taken by the advice of one experienced in its uses, in order that its merits may be properly and fairly experienced. The spurious hemp should never be taken, as it produces, what the genuine does not, unpleasant consequences. I have used this article in many a preparation with great success.

CASSIA MARILA]!0)ICA.

Common Names. American Senna^ Wild Senna.

Medicinal Part. The learns.

Description. — This is a perennial herb, growing from four to six feet high, with round, smooth, and slightly hairy stems. The leaves have long petioles, ovate at base ; each petiole has eight or ten leaflets, which are oblong, smooth, mucronate, an inch or two long, and quite narrow. The flowers are bright yellow, and the fruit is a legume from two to four inches long.

History. — The American Senna is to be found from New England to Carolina, growing in rich soils here and there. It flowers from June to September, and the leaves are gathered, for their medicinal virtues, while the plant is in bloom. They yield their virtues to alcohol oi water.

Properties and Uses. — It is one of the most important herbal cathar- tics furnished by America, and is mentioned here solely on the ground

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 61

that it is equally valuable as the foreign Senna, or ordinary Senna of the di-ug -shops, and costs much less. The analysis of the leaves shows that they contain albumen, mucilage, starch, yellow coloring matter, volatile oil, fatty matter, resin, Hgnin, and salts of potassa, and lime.

Dose. — Of the powder, from a half -drachm to two and a half drachms ; infusion, four or five ounces

CATECHU (Acacia Catechu).

Common Names. Cutch^ Oamhir^ Terra Japonica.

Medicinal Part. Extract of the iDood.

DescHption. — Catechu is a small-sized tree from fifteen to twenty feet high. The bark is thick, and branches spreading. Leaves bipin- nate. Flowers numerous, white or pale yellow, and the fruit a legume.

History. — This tree is common to the East Indian continent, thriving In Bengal, and on the Malabar coast. As found in the shops it is in equare, round, and irregular pieces, variable in color, friaHe, odorless, astringent taste. Soluble in hot water, depositing a reddish matter od <DOoling.

Properties and uses. — This is a strong astringent. In chronic dia?" rhoea, chronic catarrh, chronic dysentery, it proves beneficial, and it is i valuable agent as a local application in throat diseases, especially such as singers are subject to. The tincture is often useful as a local appli- cation to fissured nipples of nursing women.

Dose. — Of the powder, from five to twenty grains ; of the tincture, from twenty minims to half an ounce.

CEDRON (SiMABA Cedron).

Medicinal Part. The seed.

Description. — Simaha is a small tree, with an erect stem about half a foot in diameter, branching luxuriantly at the top. Leaves obovate, large, and serrated ; flowers sessile, pale brown, and the fruit a solitary drupe.

History. — This tree grows in New Grenada and Central America. Its value as a medicinal agent has long been known in Costa Rica, Trinidad, etc., and from thence was communicated to scientific gentlemen in France. The seed, which is the part used, is about an inch and a half long, nearly an inch broad, and about half an inch thick. It is hard, but can be easily cut by a common knife. It is inodorous, but tastes like quassia or aloes, and yields its properties to water or alcohol. In South America the properties of these seeds were known as early as the year 1700. At that time they were applied more especially as an antidote to the bites of poisonous serpents, and similar affections.

Properties and Use>s. — It is an antispasmodic, and one of the most valuable articles of the kind known to educated herbalists. It is very

62 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

useful in all nervous affections, hydrophobia, stomach Spasms, inter- mittent fever and dyspepsia. It is an antidote for the majority of aero- narcotic poisons. The doses generally given are too small; no fear need be entertained of injurious consequences from any ordinary quantity. It may safely be administered in from ten to twenty-five grain doses every four hours. Snake bites should at the same time be bathed in the tincture.

CELANDINE (Chelidonium Majus).

Common Name. Tetter Wort.

Medicinal Parts. Herb and root.

Description. — This plant is an evergreen perennial, with a stem from one to two feet in height, branched, swelled at the joints, leafy, round, and smooth ; the leaves are smooth, spreading, very deeply pinnatified ; leaflets in from two to four pairs, from one and a half to two and a half inches long, and about two-thirds as broad, the terminal one largest, all ovate, cuneately incised or lobed ; the lateral ones sometimes dilated at the lower margin, near the base almost as if auricled ; color of all, a deep shining green ; the flowers are bright yellow, umbellate, on long, often hairy stocks.

History. — Celandine is a pale green, fleshy herb, indigenous to Europe and naturalized in the United States ; it grows along fences, by-roads, in waste places, etc. , and flowers from May to October. If the plant be wounded, a bright yellow, offensive juice flows out, which has a persis- tent, nauseous, bitter taste, with a biting sensation in the mouth and fauces. The root is the most intensely bitter part of the plant, and is more commonly preferred. Drying diminishes its activity. It yields its virtues to alcohol or water.

Properties and Uses. — It is stimulant, acrid, alterative, diuretic, dia- phoretic, purgative, and vulnerary. It is used internally in decoction or tincture, and externally in poultice or ointment for scrofula, cuta- neous diseases, and piles. It is likewise good in hepatic affections, or liver complaints, and exerts a special influence on the spleen. As a drastic hydragogue, or purge, it is fully equal to gamboge. The juice, when applied to the skin, produces inflammations, and even vesications. It has long been known as a caustic for the removal of warts ; it is also applied to indolent ulcers, fungous growths, etc. , and is useful in re- moving specks and opacities of the cornea of the eye.

Celandine is from the Creek word CheUdon^ which signifies a swaUow. The ancients assert that if you put out the eyes of yoimg swaUows whea they are in the nest, the old ones will restore their eyes again with this herb. It is said that we may mai the apple of the bird's eye with a needle, and that the old birds vnll restore their sight again by means of this herb. Never having made any such cruel experiments, I am not prepared to say whether any such miraculous power of healing loss of

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 63

sight is a virtue of the plant, or whether it is an instinct or gift inherent of the swallow itself.

Celandine is also used in curing salt-rheum, tetter, or ringworm. It is superior to arnica as a vulnerary ; an alcoholic tincture of the root (three ounces to a pint) will be found an unrivalled application to pre- vent or subdue traumatic inflammations.

Dose. — Of the powdered root, from half a drachm to one drachm ; of the fresh juice, from twenty to forty drops, in some bland liquid ; of the tincture, from one to two fluid drachms ; of the aqueous extract, from five to ten grains.

CENTAURY (Sabbatia Angularis).

Common Name. Rose Pink.

Medicinal Part. The 7ierb.

Bescri'ption. — This plant has a yellow fibrous, biennial root, with an erect, smooth, quadrangular stem, with the angles winged, having many opposite branches, and growing from one to two feet in height. The leaves are opposite, fine-veined, smooth, en- tire, from one to five inches in length, and from half an inch to one and a half inches wide, clasping the stem. The flowers are numerous, from an inch and a quarter to an inch and a half in diameter, of a rich rose or carnation color, standing, as it were, at the tops of one umbril or tuft, very like those of 8t. Joliii's wort^ opening themselves in the day-time and closing at night, after which come seeds in little short husks, in forms like unto wheat corn. There are three varieties of the Centaury in England, one kind bearing white flowers, another yellow, and another red. All have medicinal properties, although the American variety is considered preferable to the European Centaury,

History. — This plant is common to most parts of the United States, growing in moist

meadows, among high grass, on the prairies, and in damp, rich soils, flowering from June to September, The whole herb is used. It has a very bitter taste, and yields its virtues to water or alcohol. The best time for gathering it is during the flowering season. In England they use the red Centaury in diseases of the blood, the yellow in choleric diseases, and the white in those of phlegm and water.

Properties and Uses. — It is an excellent tionic. It is used in all faU periodic febrile diseases, both as a preventive and a remedy. It is also

64

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serviceable as a bitter tonic La dyspepsia and convalescence from f eversi When administered in ■warm infusion it is a. domestic remedy for worms, and to restore the menstrual secretion.

Dose. — Of the powder, from half a drachm to a drachm ; of the cold" infusion, a teacupful every two or three hours ; of the tincture, a wine- glassful ; of the extract, from two to six grains.

CENTUEY PLANT (A gave Americana).

Common Name. South American Medicinal Part. The inspissated juice.

Description. — This plant, which is also sometimes called the Century Plant, from an erroneous idea that it blossoms but once in a hundred years, is the largest of all herbaceous plants. It is an evergreen, and does not blossom often.

Uistory. — It flourishes in the warmer latitudes of South America, where its juice is expressed by the natives and allowed to ferment. In this condition it is called pulque, and is used as an exhilarating bever- age. The natives can drink large quantities of this liquor without get- ting very much intoxicated ; but it is very severe upon those who are not accustomed to it.

Properties and Uses. — The fresh juice is used by the South Americans to regulate the action of the bowels and kidneys, and is considered very

valuable for dyspepsia and diseases of the bladder. The South Ameri- can women use the juice and the decoction to promote menstruation. I can say of my own knowledge that, in proper combination, it is a superior anti-syphilitic, and that in scorbutic affections it is without many superiors. The dose is from half a fluid ounce to two ounces, three times a day.

The Agave Virginica, or False Aloe, is not to be confounded with this, as that plant is a laxative and carminative .

Chamomile.

CHAMOMILE (Anthemis No-

BILIS).

Medicinal Part. The Flowers. Description. — This is a perennial herb, with a strong fibrous root. The stems in a wild state are prostrate, but in gardens more upright,

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65

abfrwt a span long", round, hollow, furrowed, and downy ; tne leaves pale green, pinnate, sessile, with thread-shaped leaflets. The fiower-heada terminal, rather larger than the daisy, and of yellow color, or whitish.

Histoi'y. — Chamomile is indigenous to Southern Europe ; we have also a common or wild Chamomile {Matricaria Chamomilla) growing in the United States, but it is not considered as good as tlie Roman Chamomile for medicinal purposes, which is the kind I use. The white flowers are the best ; they have an aromatic, agreeably bitter taste, an'' peculiar odor. They yield their properties to alcohol and water.

Properties and Uses. — Chamomile is a tonic ; one or two teacupf ui of the warm infusion will usually vomit. The cold infusion is highlj useful in dyspepsia, and in all cases of weak or irritable stomachs, also in intermittent and typhoid fevers. The oil is carminative and anti- spasmodic, and is used in flatulency, colic, cramp in the btomach, hys- teria, nervous diseases, and painfrd menstruation.

A poultice of Chamomile will often prevent gangrene, and remove it when present. It is an ingredient in my "Restorative Assirailant," and is a most excellent adjutant and corrigent in that great remedy.

Dose. — Half a drachm to two drachms of the flowers. Of the infu- sion, half a teacupful to a teacupfiil ; of the oil, five to fifteen drops on sugar.

CHERRY LAUREL (Prunus Laurocerasus).

Medicinal Part. The leaves.

Description. — This is a small evergreen shrub or tree with smooth branches. Leaves with short petioles, oval-oblong, seiTate, acute, and smooth. Flowers shorter than the leaves, calyx inferior, corolla has five white petals ; stamens about twenty ; and fruit a round, black, smooth drupe.

History. — Origiually a native of Asia Miaor, from whence it was introduced into Europe in 1576, and subsequently from Europe to the United States. It is now com- mon in gardens and shrubberies. The leaves have scarcely any odor until bruised, then they have a bitter almond odor ; taste very bitter, aromatic, . and slightly astringent. They impart their virtues to water and alco- hol.

Properties and Uses. — An excellent sedative, phthisis, spasmodic cough, palpitation of the heart, and in all spasmodic aflfections. „

Cherry Laurel. Useful in tic-douloureux,

CG THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

Dose. — Powdered leaves, four to eight grains; laurel water, ten to thirty drops.

CHICKWEED (Stellaria Media).

Medicinal Part. The herb.

Description. — This plant is an annual or biennial weed, from six to fifteen inches in length, with a prostrate, brittle, and leafy stem. The leaves are ovate-cordate ; the lower ones on hairy petioles. The flowers are small and white, petals two-parted, stamens three, five, or ten.

History. — It is a common plant in Europe and America, growing in fields and around dwellings, in moist, shady places. It flowers from the beginning of spring tiU the last of autumn. The seeds are eaten by poultry and birds. The whole herb is used when recent.

Properties and Uses. — It is a cooling demulcent. The fresh leaves bruised and applied as a poultice to indolent, intractable ulcers, even when of many years' standing, will produce most immediate and de- cided beneficial results, to be changed two or three times a day. The bruised leaves will likewise be found an invaluable application in acute ophthalmia. An ointment made by bruising the recent leaves in fresh lard, may be used as a cooling application to erysipelatous and other forms of ulceration, as weU as many forms of cutaneous diseases.

CHOCOLATE ROOT, Geum Rivale ( Water Avens), Geum Virgeni- ANUM ( White Avens).

Common Names. Throat Root, Purple Avens.

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — Geum Rivale, or Purple Avens., is a perennial, deep green herb ; woody root ; leaves nearly lyrate, crenate-dentate, and from four to six inches long. The flowers are few and yeUowish purple in color.

Geum Virginianum, or Throat Poot., is also a perennial, with a small, crooked root. The stem is two or three feet high. The leaves are pinnate or lyrate ; flowers rather small and white ; and the fruit an achenium. The former is common to the United States and Europe, flowering in June or July, and the latter only to the United States, flowering from June to August.

History. — These plants, with other varieties, have long been used in domestic practice. The whole herb contains medicinal properties, but the oflBcinal and most efficient part is the root. Boiling water or alcohol extracts their virtues.

Properties and Uses. — Is tonic and astringent. It is used in passive and chronic hemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, leucor-

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67

rhoea, dyspepsia, pulmonary affections, congestions of the abdominal viscera, etc.

Dose. — Of the powder, from twenty to thirty grains ; of the decoc tion, from two tablespoonfuls to a wineglassful, three or four times a day.

CINCHONA.

Common Names. Peruman Bark, Jesuits' Bark.

MEDicmAL Part. The hark.

Description. — The bark is obtained from the Cinchona Calisaya., Cin- chona Condaminea., Cinchona Succiruhra, and Cinchona Lancifolia. These trees are all evergreen trees or shrubs. Their generic character is to have opposite entire leaves ; flowers white, or usually roseate or purplish, and very fragrant ; calyx a turbinated tube ; corolla salver- shaped ; stamens, five ; anthers, linear ; style, simple ; stigma, bifid. The fruit a capsule, ovate or oblong, filled with nume- rous winged seeds. About thirteen varie- ties of cinchona are known to commerce, but the above are the most important. Of these species the former three yield re- spectively the pale, yellow, and red cin- chona barks, and the fourth is one of the sources of quinine.

History. — Cinchona is a very old dis- covery, and takes its name from the wife of the Spanish viceroy. Count de Cinchon, who was cured of fever by it, at Lima, about the year 1638. For some time after its introduction into Europe, the Jesuits, who received the bark from their brethren in Peru, ^one used it, and kept to them- selves the secret of its origin; and their use of it was so successful that it received the name which still clings to it of "Jesuits' Bark." The bark richest in the antiperiodic alkaloids is the Cinchona Calisaya. The geograph- ical range of the cinchonas appears to be exclusively confined to the Andes, within the boundaries of Peru, Bolivia, Equador, and New Granada. Thirteen species furnish the barks of commerce, and all of them are found growing from one to ten thousand feet above the level of the sea. The four species we have named at the head of this article are, however, the only ones recognized by the United States Pharma- copoeia, and are the favorites everywhere. Since the seventeenth cen- tury these barks have been the study of men versed in medical and chemical science, and they and the preparations made from them rank

Cinchona.

68 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

among- the most important articles of the Materia Medica. It contains numerous active principles, but the most important, and one chiefly used, is quinine.

Properties and Uses. — Cinchona bark is tonic, antiperiodic, astringent to a moderate extent, and eminently febrifuge. It is topically (or ex- ternally) antiseptic, and is of much value vrhen applied to gangrenous ulcerations, or used for gargles and washes in erysipelas, ulcerated sore throat, mouth, etc. I do not recommend the use of the bark in cases where the stomach is vory much weakened (although it is employed in every disease in which there is deficient tone), because the woody fibre in the powder will most generally disagree. When taken internally it imparts a sensation of warmth to the stomach, which gradually spreads over the whole body ; the pulse becomes stronger and is accelerated, and the various organs are gently stimulated. It may be used with benefit in ordinary cases of dyspepsia, general debility, and all febrile, eruptive, and inflammatory diseases, in whatever stage they may be. In all cases of night-sweating, or great feebleness, it is valuable. As an antiperiodic it is not surpassed by anything else used. When it excites nausea, add an aromatic ; if purging, opium ; if costiveness, rhubarb.

Quinine is a white flocculent powder, inodorous, and has a very bitter taste. It is very sparingly soluble in warm water, still less so in cold water. It is readily soluble in hot alcohol, and tolerably so in ether. It is always best to administer quinine instead of the bark, unless some of the efifects of the other principles are desired.

Dose. — Of the powder, half a drachm to a drachm ; fluid extract, ten to sixty drops ; of quinine, from one to fifteen grains, according to purpose.

CINQUE-FOIL (POTENTELLA CANADENSIS).

Common Name. Five- Finger.

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — This perennial plant has a procumbent stem from two to eighteen inches in length. The leaves are palmate, leaflets obovate, and flowers yellow, on solitary pedicels.

There are two varieties of this plant, the P. PamiUa, which is very small and delicate, flowering in April and May, and growing in dry, sandy soils, and the P. Simplex, a larger plant, growing in richer soils, and flowering from June to August.

History. — Five-finger is common to the United States, growing by road-sides, on meadow banks and waste grounds, and flowering from April to October. The root is the part used. It has a bitterish, styptic taste, and yields its virtues to water.

Properties and Uses. — It is tonic and astringent. A decoction is use-

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 69

ful in fevers, bowel complaints, night sweats, menorrhagia, and other hemorrhages. It makes an excellent gargle for spongy, bleeding gums, and ulcerated mouth and throat.

The POTENTILLA ToRMENTiLLA, or 8ept-Foil of Europe, possesses similar qualities, and may be used by my readers in that country if the American root is not to be obtained.

CLEAVERS (Galium Aparine).

Common Names. Goose Grass, Catchiceed, Bed-Straw.

Medicinal Part. The herb.

Description. — It is an annual succulent plant, with a weak, procum- bent, quadrangular, retrosely-prickled stem, which grows from two to six feet high, and is hairy at the joints. The leaves are one or two inches in length, and two or three lines in breadth; rough on the margin and tapering to the base. The flowers are white, smaU. and scattered.

History. — This plant is common to Europe and the United States, growing in cultivated grounds, moist thickets, and along banks of rivers, and flowering from June to September. In the green state the plant has an unpleasant odor ; but it is inodorous when dried, with an acidu- lous, astringent, and bitter taste. Cold or warm water extracts the vir- tuea of the plant ; boiling water destroys them. The roots dye a permanent red.

Properties and Uses. — It is a most valuable refrigerant and diuretic, and wiU be found very beneficial in many diseases of the urinary organs, as suppression of urine, calculous affections, inflammation of the kid- neys and bladder, and in the scalding of urine in gonorrhoea. It is con- tra-indicated in diseases of a passive character, on account of its refrigerant and sedative effects on the system, but may be used freely in fevers and all acute diseases. An infusion may be made by macerat- ing an ounce and a half of the herb in a pint of warm water for two hours, of which from two to four fluid ounceg may be given three or four times a day when cold. It may be sweetened with sugar or honey. It has also been found useful in many cutaneous diseases, as psoriasis, eczema, lichen, cancer, and scrofula, and is more particularly useful in these diseases when they are combined with strumous diathe- sis. The best form for administration is that of the inspissated juice, which may be in one or two drachm doses, three times a day.

The plant called Galium Tinctorium, or Small Cleavers, is nervine, anti-spasmodic, expectorant, and diaphoretic. It is used successfully in asthma, cough, and chronic bronchitis, exerting its influence principally upon the respiratory organs. The plant has a pungent, aromatic, pleas- ant, persistent taste. A strong decoction of the herb may be given in doses of from one to four fluid ounces, and repeated two or three timea

70 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

a day, according to circumstanceB. The root of this plant will also dye a permanent red.

COCA (Erythroxylon Coca).

Medicinal Part. The herb.

Description. — I first became acquainted with this most remarkable plant many years ago, while traveling in Bohvia, South America, in the beautiful valleys of the Cordilleras. The Coca is a bush which rarely attains six feet in height, and does not often exceed three. Its foliage is of a bright green, its flowers white, and its fruit small and red. When the plants are just about eighteen inches high they are transplanted from the seed-beds into fields called cocales. The ripe leaves are gath- ered with the fingers. They are dried by spreading them in the sun, sometimes on woollen cloths. The operation requires great care, for the plant must be protected from all dampness, which changes its color, and thus diminishes its value. It is then packed in bags, weighing from fifty to one hundred and fifty pounds, which are often transported to great distances. In the Vice -royalty of Lima, in the latter part of the last century, Castelnau represents the consumption of the leaf at three and a half millions of pounds, and worth one million and a quarter of Spanish dollars, while at the same time the total consumption in Peru was two and a half millions of dollars. The importance of the Coca trade, however, is diminishing as the Red Man disappears. The Indians mix the Coca with a small quantity of lime, and constantly carry a small bag of it on all their excursions. They take it from three to six times- a day. Dr. GscnuDi [Travels in Peru, page 453] mentions an Indian of. sixty-two years of age, who was employed by him, and though at very hard work for five days, took no other nourishment, and rested but two hours of the night. Immediately, or soon after this, he accomplished a journey of one hundred miles in two days, and said that he was ready to do the same thing again if they would give him a new supply of Coca. Castelnau says he himself knew of instances as extraordinary. In the time of the Incas the Coca was regarded as sacred.

Properties and Uses. — Its physiological actions are as follows : —

1. It stimulates the stomach and promotes digestion.

2. In large doses it augments animal heat and accelerates the pulse and respiration.

3. It induces slight constipation,

4. In moderate doses, from one to four drachms, it stimulates the nervous system, so as to render it more tolerant of muscular fatigue.

5. In larger doses it gives rise to hallucinations and true delirium.

6. Its most precious property is that of inducing the most pleasant visions {'■''phantasmagoria'''') without any subsequent depression of the nervous energies.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

71

7. Probably it diminishes some of the secretions.

The Coca has doubtless many other medical properties of a high order, and deserves further investigation.

It stimulates powerfully the digestive functions, while at the same time it exercises a calmative influence over the mucous membranes of the stomach and bowels. In this double action upon the stomach — stimulant and calmative — it resembles Columbo.

It is anti-spasmodic, and is of great service in many nervous disorders, and particularly in s'^evmatorrlioia and all debilities of the generative organs.

An infusion of the leaves, or a tincture of the flowers, leaves, and berries maybe used in all cases of spermatorrhoea and nervous, debility. Com- bined with other remedies it may be used to great advantage in fevers, pneumonia, pleuritis, neuralgia, hysteria, dysmenorrhoja, amenorrhoea, blenorrhoeas (including gonorrhoea, and leucorrhoea), chorea, epilepsy, paralysis, after-pains, convulsions, dyspepsia, deliriuni-treniens, &c. My course of concentrated herbal remedies, in which Coca is a principal ingredient, will surely cure spermatorrhoea, seminal weakness, impotence, sterility, and barrenness, and I now use it extensively for all disorders arising from sexual debility. It never yet failed to meet my expectations, — hundreds of such cases having been radically cured by its truly mi- raculous medicinal properties.

COLOCYNTH (CucumisColocynthis.)

CoinMON Name. Bitter Cucumber.

Medicinal Part. The fruit divested of its rind.

Description. — Colocynth is an annual plant, with a whitish root, and prostrate, angular, and hispid stems. The leaves are alternate, cordate, ovate, many-lobed, white with hairs beneath. Flowers yel- low and solitary ; petals small ; and friiit globose, smooth, size of an orange, yel- low when ripe, with a thin solid rind, and a very bitterish flesh.

History. — This plant is a native of the south of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The fruit assumes a yellow or orange color externally during the autumn, at which

time it is pulled and dried quickly, either in the stove or svm. That? which is deprived of its rind, very white, light spongy, and with- out seeds, is the best article j all others are more or less inferior ia

Colocynth.

72 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

quality. It contains, besides oils, resins, and gums, bassorin and the sulphates of lime and magnesia. Colocynthin is its active principle.

Properties and Uses. — It is a powerful hydragogue cathartic, pro- ducing copious watery evacuations. It should never be used alone, but be combined with other cathartics. It may be used advantageously in passive dropsy and cerebral derangements. In combination with hyos- cyamus it loses its irritant properties, and may be so employed when- ever its peculiar cathartic effects are desired. Hippocrates used colo- cynth as a pessary to promote menstruation.

Dose. — Five to ten grains.

COLT'S FOOT (TussiLAGO Farfara).

Common Names. Cough Wort, FoaVs Foot, Horse Hoof, and BuWs Foot.

Medicinal Part. The leaves.

Description. — Colt's foot has a long, perennial, creeping, fibrous rhi- zome. The leaves are erect, cordate, sharply dentate, smooth green above, and pure white and cottony beneath. They do not appear imtil the flowers are withered, and are from five to eight inches long, and like a colt's foot in shape. The flowers are large and bright yellow.

History. — This plant grows in Europe, the Crimea, Persia, Siberia, and the East Indies, from the sea-shore to elevations of nearly eight thousand feet. It also grows in the United States, in wet places, on the sides of brooks, flowering in March and April. Its presence is a certain indication of a clayey soil. The leaves are rather fragrant, and continue so after having been carefully dried. The leaves are the parts used, though all ports of the plant are active, and should always be employed, especially the leaves, flowers, and root. The leaves should be collected at about the period they have nearly reached their full size, the flowers as soon as they commence opening, and the root immediately after the maturity of the leaves. ^Vhen dried, all parts have a bitter, mucilagin- ous taste, and yield their properties to water or diluted alcohol.

Pro2?erties and Uses. — It is emollient, demulcent, and slightly tonic. The decoction is usually administered in doses of from one to three or four fluid ounces, and is highly serviceable in coughs, asthma, whooping- cough, and other pulmonary complaints ; also useful in scrofula. The powdered leaves form a good errhine for giddiness, headache, nasal ob- structions, etc. It is also used externally in form of poultice in scrofu- lous tumors.

COLUMBO (CoccuLUS palmatus). Medicinal Part. The root.

Descrip)tion. — Columbo, so important in the present practice of medi- cine, is a climbing plant, with a perennial sort which is quite thick and

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 73

brancMng-. The root is covered with a thin brown skin, marked with transverse warts. The stems, of which one or two proceed from the game root, are twining, simple in the male plant, branched in the female, round, hairy, and about an inch or an inch and a half in circumference. The leaves stand on rounded glandular-hairy footstalks, and are alter- nate, distant, cordate, and have three, seven, or nine lobes and nerves. The flowers are small and inconspicuous.

History . — This plant inhabits the forests near the southeastern coast of Africa, in the neighborhood of Mozambique, where the natives call it Kalumh. The root is dug up in the dry season in the month of March, and is cut in slices, strung on cords, and hung up to dry. The odor of Columbo is slightly aromatic ; the taste bitter, and also mucilaginous. The root is easily pulverized, but spoils by keeping after having been reduced to a powder. It is best to powder it only as it is required for use. The active principle of Columbo is called Columbm. The root also yields Berherin^ an excellent stomachic, which is produced from the Barberry.

Properties and Uses. — It is one of the purest bitter tonics in the world, and in dyspepsia, chronic diarrhoea, and dysentery, as well as in con- valescence from febrile and inflammatory diseases, it can hardly be sur- passed as a remedial agent. It is most useful in the remittent and intermittent fevers of hot climates. It is used in many combinations, according to indications.

Dose. — Of the powder, ten to thirty grains ; of the infusion, one or two ounces ; of the tincture, from one to two drachms.

COMFREY (Symphytum Officinale).

MEDicmAL Part. The root.

Description. — Comfrey has an oblong, fleshy, perennial root, black on the outside and whitish within, containing a glutinous or clammy, taste- less juice, with divers very large, hairy, green leaves lying on the ground, so hairy, or so prickly, that if they touch any tender parts of the hands, face, or body, it will cause it to itch. The stalks are hoUowed and cor- nered, very hairy, having leaves that grow below, but less and less up to the top ; at the joints of the stalk it is divided into many branches, at the ends of which stand many flowers, in order one above another, which are somewhat long and hollow like the finger of a glove, of a pale, whitish color ; after them come small black seeds. There is another sort which bears flowers of a pale purple color, having similar medicinal pro- perties.

History. — Comfrey is a native of Europe, but naturalized in the United States, growing on low grounds and moist places, and flowering all sum- mer. The root is ofl&cinal and contains a large amount of mucilage, which is readily extracted by water. 4

74s THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

Properties and Uses. — The plant is demulceni; and slightly astringent. All mucilaginous agents exert an influence on mucous tissues, hence the cure of many pulmonary and other affections in which these tissues have been chiefly implicated, by their internal use. Physicians must not expect a serous disease to yield to remedies which act on mucous membranes only ; to determine the true value of a medicinal agent, thej' must first ascertain the true character of the affection, as well as of the tissues involved. Again, mucilaginous agents are always beneficial in scrofulous and ansemic habits. Comfrey root is very useful in diarrhoea, dysentery, coughs, hemoptysis or bleeding of the lungs, and other pul- monary affections ; also in leucorrhoea and female debility : all these be- ing principally affections of mucous membranes.

It may be boiled in water, wine, or made into a syrup, and taken in doses of from a wineglassful to a teacupful of the preparation, two or three times a day.

Externally the fresh root, bruised, forms an excellent application to bruises, ruptures, fresh wounds, sore breasts, ulcers, white swellings, etc.

CUNDURANGO (Equatoria Garciana).

Medicinal Part. The bark of the vine.

Description. — Cundurango, or Condor Vine, a name derived from two words, cundur and angu^ whose marvellous medicinal properties have late- ly been made known to the world, and which is now so greatly interesting the medical profession, is a climbing vine, resembling much in its habits the grape vine of our forests. The vines are from three to five inches diameter. They are quite flexible when fresh, but when dry very brit- tle. The bark is externally of a greenish-gray color, and has numerous small warty excrescences. The leaves are large, sometimes reaching six inches in length by five in breadth, opposite, simple, entire, dentate, cordate, and of a dark green color. The flowers are small, arranged in complete umbels ; stamens five ; petals five ; sepals five ; and filaments small. The fruit is a pair of pods, and seeds numerous and dark brown. It should be more properly called Cundurangu, as there is no o in the language of the Incas.

History. — This plant is a native of the Andes Mountains in South America, especially the southern portion of Equador, and found most plentifully in the mountains surrounding the city of Loja. It is gener- ally found on the western exposure of the Andes, at an altitude of 4,000 or 5,000 feet. Its virtues were known to the Indians of the locality for a long time. The tradition is that it was regarded by them as poisonous, and that an Indian woman unintentionally cured her husband, who suffered from a very painful cancer, giving him to drink bowlf uls of decoction of Cundurango, beUeving and hoping it would prove fatal. It was intro-

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 75

Cizced into medical practice by Dr. Eguiguren, brother of the Governor of the province of Loja, both of whom are said to have cured many cases of syphilis and cancerous ulcers by the use of it. The subject was brought to the notice of our government by our minister at Quito. The Department of State, at once realizing the value of the discovery and the intense interest with which our people would seek after information con- cerning it, published a circular setting forth its great value as a remedy. This action of the government at once inspired that confidence to which the plant appeared to be entitled. It has been used by progressive phy- sicians with apparent success, in cancerous and syphilitic affections, but the results attained from its use so far, have not yet been such as to just- ify the high expectations with which its discovery was announced, and I am constrained to believe that it does not possess the virtues claimed for it. The natives insist that there are two varieties of the bark, the amarillo, or yellow, and bianco, or white ; but upon inspection I find they are the same, the difference in color depending upon the strong rays of the sun. When freshly cut the vines give an abundance of milky, viscous juice or sap, the odor of which is balsamic, and flavor decidedly bitter and aromatic. It is sometimes used in the powdered form com- bined with sugar and water, so as to form a thick syrup, but the fluid ex- tract (when it can be obtained pure.) is a much more convenient form of administering it. A great deal that is spurious is found in the market. It is a singular coincidence that both Quinine and Cundurango are found in the same region, and thrive only under the same climatic conditions.

Properties and Uses. — Is highly recommended as a remedy for can- cer, syphilis, ulcers, etc. Its discovers claim that in a short period, after commencing its use in cases of cancer that the typical symptoms subside, the pain is diminished, the discharge thickens and becomes less offensive, the tumor becomes softer, the deposits lessen, the expression improves, and a cure is speedily effected, and that it has also diuretic and tonic powers, and cures many nervous diseases. I have given this remedy com- petent trials in cases of cancer and syphilis, and the results were not such as to satisfy me.

Dose. — Of the powder, one to two drachms ; fluid extract, one drachm. (Much that is spurious is sold in the market.)

COPAIBA (COPAIFERA OFFICmALIS).

Common Name. Balsam of Copaiba.

Medice^al Part. The oleo-resinous juice.

Description. — Copaiba is a tall and handsome tree, with many small, crooked branches, and a grayish-brown bark. The leaves are large and equally pinnated, leaflets in pairs of from two to five, petioles short. The flowers are white; calyx four-parted; stamens, ten; fruit obo- vate, two-valved, and one-seeded.

76 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

Mstory.— There are several species which furnish oil of copaiba, all natives of South America and West Indies. The juice is ob- tained by deep incisions being made in the trunk during or following the wet season ; the balsam (which, however, is not a balsam, as it con- tains no benzoic acid) flows freely, being clear, transparent, and fluid, l)ut becoming pale yellowish in time. The oil is unpleasant in smell r^nd taste.

Properties and Uses. — In large doses Copaiba is an irritant, but in proper doses it is stimulant, cathartic, and diuretic. It exerts a favor- able influence on the mucous tissues of the system, diminishing exces- sive secretions, and for this purpose it is chiefly employed. Taken internally it gives warmth to the gastric region, and sometimes provokes nausea and emesis. It is especiaUy useful in chronic mucous affections, as gonorrhoea, bronchitis, diseases of the bladder, gleet, chronic catarrh, diarrhoea, and dysentery, etc., etc. It was formerly regarded as a specific for gonorrhoea, but has lost some of its prestige. Locally it is an excellent appHcation to fistulas, chilblains, old ulcers, etc.

Dose. — From twenty to sixty drops in emulsion with yolk of egg and mint or cinnamon water.

CRANBERRY (High).— (Viburnum Opulus.)

Medicinal Part. 7'he bark.

Description. — It is a nearly smooth and upright shrub, or small tree, usually from five to twelve feet in height, with several stems from the same root branched above ; the leaves are three-lobed, three-veined, broadly -wedged shape, and crenately toothed on the side. The flowers are white, or reddish-white ; the fruit ovoid, red, very acid, ripens late, and remains upon the bush after the leaves have fallen. It resembles the common cranberry, and is sometimes substituted for it.

History. — It is indigenous to the northern part of the United States and Canadas, being a handsome shrub, growing in low rich lands, woods, and borders of fields, flowering in June, and presenting at this time a very showy appearance. The flowers are succeeded by red and very acid berries, resembling low cranberries, and which remain through the winter. The bark is the ofiBcinal part, as met with in drug-stores. It is frequently put up by Shakers, when it is somewhat flattened from pressure. It has no smell, but has a peculiar, not unpleasant, bitterish, and astringent taste. It yields its properties to water or diluted alcohol. Vihurnine is its active principle.

Properties and Uses. — It is a powerful antispasmodic, and hence gene- rally known among American practitioners as Cramp Bark. It is very effective in cramps and spasms of all kinds, as asthma, hysteria, cramps of females during pregnancy, preventing the attacks entirely if used daily for the last two or three months of gestation.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 77

The following- forms an excellent preparation for the relief of spas- modic attacks, viz. : take of Cramp bark, two ounces ; scull-cap, skunk cabbage, of each one ounce ; cloves, half an ounce ; capsicum, two drachms. Have all in powder, coarsely bruised, and add to them two quarts of sherry or native wine. Dose of this, half a wineglassful two or three times a day.

It may here be remarked that a poultice of the fruit of the Low Cran- berry is very efl&cacious in indolent and malig-nant ulcers, malignant scarlet fever, applied to the throat ; in erysipelas, and other similar dis- eases. Probably the High Cranberry will effect the same result.

Bose. — Of the decoction, or vinous tincture, one glassful two or thre« times a day.

CRANESBILL (Geranium Maculatum).

Common Names. Dove's Foot, Crow Foot^ Alum Root, Spotted Gera- nium, etc.

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — This plant has a perennial, horizontal, thick, roug-h, and knotty root, with many small fibres. The stems are g-rayish-green, erect, round, and a foot or two high. The leaves are spreading and hairy, and the blossoms large, and generally purple, mostly in pairs. The Dove's Foot, or Cranebill, which grows in England, is a different plant, beaiing many small bright-red flowers of five leaves apiece, though it possesses medicinal properties similar to the American varieties.

History. — Geranium is a native of the United States, growing in nearly all parts of it, in low grounds, open woods, etc. , blossoming from April to June. The root is the officinal part. Its virtues are yielded to water or alcohol. Oeranin is its active principle.

Properties and Uses. — It is a powerful astringent, used in the second stage of dysentery, diarrhoea, and cholera infantum ; in infusion, with milk. Both internally and externally it may be used wherever astrin- gents are indicated, in hemorrhages, indolent ulcers, aphthous sore mouth, ophthalmia, leucorrhoea, gleet, hematuria, monorrhagia, dia- betes, and excessive chronic mucous discharges ; also to cure mercurial salivation. Relaxation of the uvula may be benefited by gargling with a decoction of the root, as well as aphthous ulceration of the mouth and throat. From its freedom from any nauseous or unpleasant quali- ties, it is well adapted to infants and persons with fastidious stomachs. In cases of bleeding piles, a strong decoction of the root should be in- jected into the rectum, and retained as long as possible. Troublesome epistaxis, or bleeding from the nose, wounds, or small vessels, and from the extraction of teeth, may be checked effectually by applying the powder to the bleeding orifice, and, if possible, covering with a com- press of cotton. With Aletri's Farinosa ( Unicorn root) in decoction, and

78 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

taken internally, it lias proved of superior efficacy in diabetes and in Bright's disease of the kidneys. A mixture or solution of two parts of hydrastin and one of geranin will be found of unrivalled efficacy in all chronic mucous diseases, as in gleet, leucorrhoea, ophthalmia, gastric affections, catarrh, and ulceration of the bladder, etc. A decoction of two parts of geranium and one of sanguinaria {Bhodroot) forms an ex- cellent injection for gleet and leucorrhoea.

Dose of geranium powder, from twenty to thirty grains ; of the de- coction, a tablespoonful to a wineglassful.

CRAWLEY (CoRALLORHizA Odontorhiza).

Common Names. Dragon's Claw, Coral root, etc.

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — This is a singular; leafless plant, with coral-like root- stocks. The root is a collection of small fleshy tubers ; the flowers, from ten to twenty in number, are of a brownish-green color, and the fruit a large oblong capsule.

History. — The plant is a native of the United States, growing about the roots of trees, in rich woods, from Maine to Florida, flowering from July to October. The entire plant is destitute of verdure. The root only is used for medical purposes. It is small, dark brown, resembling cloves, or a. hen's claws ; has a strong, nitrous smell, and a mucUagi- nous, slightly bitter, astringent taste.

Properties and Uses. — It is probably the most powerful, prompt, and certain diaphoretic in the materia medica; but its scarcity and high price prevents it from coming in general use. It is also sedative, and promotes perspiration without producing any excitement in the system. Its chief value is as a diaphoretic in fevers, especially in typhus, and inflammatory diseases. It has proved effectual in acute erysipelas, cramps, flatulency, pleurisy, and night-sweats; it relieves hectic fevei without debilitating the patient. Its virtues are especially marked in the low stages of fevers.

Combined with caulophyllin it forms an excellent agent in amenor- rhoea and dysmenorrhoea, or scanty or painful menstruation, and is un- surpassed in after-pains, suppression of lochia, and the febrile symptoms which sometimes occur at the parturient period.

In fevers Crawley may be advantageously combined with leptandrin or podophyllin, when it is found necessary to act upon the bowels or liver ; and mixed with dioscorein it will be found almost a specific in flatulent and bilious colic.

Dose. — From twenty to thirty grains of the powdered root, given in water as warm as the patient can drink, and repeated every hour or two,

THE COMPLETE HEKBALIST. 79

according to circumstances. The powder should always be kept in well- closed vials. It constitutes the fe'dev 'powders of some practitioners.

CROWFOOT (Ranunculus Bulbosus).

Medicinal Parts. The cormus and hefrh.

Description. — This plant is not to be confounded with the Oeranium maculatum, which is also called Crowfoot. The cormus or root of thia herb is a perennial, solid, fleshy, roundish, and depressed, sending out radicles from its under sides. The root sends up annually erect hairy stems, six to eighteen inches in height. The leaves are on long petioles, dentate and hairy. Each stem supports several sohtary golden-yellow flowers ; sepals, oblong and hairy ; petals, five, cordate ; stamens nu- merous and hairy.

History. — This plant is common in Europe and the United States, growing in fields and pastures, and flowering in May, June, and July. There a great many varieties, but all possess similar quahties, and des- ignated by the general name of Butter-cup. When any part of these plants is chewed, it occasions much pain, inflammation, excoriation of the mouth, and much heat and pains in the stomach, if it be taken internally.

Properties and Uses. — This plant is too acrid to be used internally, especially when fresh. WTien apphed externally it is powerfully rube- facient and epispastic. It is employed in its recent state in rheumatic neuralgia and other diseases where vesication and counter-irritation are indicated. Its action, however, is generally so violent that it is sel- dom used. The beggars use it to produce and keep open sores to excite sympathy. It has been used with success in obstinate cases of nursing sore-mouth — an infusion being made by adding two drachms of the recent root, cut into small pieces, to one pint of hot water, when cold a tablespoonful being given two or three times a day, and the mouth fre- quently washed with a much stronger infusion.

CUBEBS (Piper Cubeba).

Medicinal Part. The berries.

Description. — This is a perermial plant, with a climbing stem, round branches, about as thick as a goose- quill, ash-colored, and rooting at the joints. The leaves are from four to six and a half inches long by one and a half to two inches broad, ovate-oblong, acuminate, and very smooth. Flowers arranged in spikes at the end of the branches ; fruit, a berry rather longer than that of black pepper.

Histcn'y. — Cubebs is a native of Java and other islands of the Indian Ocean, growing in the forests without cultivation. The fruit is gathered before fully ripe, and then dried. It affords a volatile oil, which is much

80 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

used. Cubebs has a pleasant, aromatic odor, and a hot, bitter taste. Gubebin is the active principle.

Properties and Uses. — It is mildly stimulant, expectorant, stomachic, and carminative. It acts particularly on mucous tissues, and arrests excessive discharges, especially from the urethra. It exercises an influ- ence over the urinary apparatus, rendering the urine of deeper color. It is successfully employed in gonorrhoea, gleet, leucorrhoea, chronic bladder diseases, bronchial affections, and atony of the stomach and bowels.

Dose. — Of the powder, half a drachm to a drachm; tincture, two fluid drachms ; oil, ten to thirty drops.

DAISY (Leucanthemum Vulgare).

Common Names. Ox-eye Daisy, White Weed.

Medicinal Parts. The leaves and flowers.

Description. — This is a perennial herb, having an erect, branching, and furrowed stem, from one to two feet high. The leaves are few, alternate, lanceolate -serrate, the lower ones petiolate ; the upper ones small, subulate, and sessile.

History. — The plant was introduced into the United States from Europe, and is a very troublesome weed to farmers in nearly every sec- tion. It bears white flowers in June and July. The leaves are odorous and somewhat acid ; the flowers are bitterish ; they impart their virtues to water.

Properties and Uses. — It is tonic, diuretic, and anti-spasmodic, and, in large doses, emetic. It is used as a tonic instead of Chamomile flowers, and is serviceable in whooping-cough, asthma, and nervous excitability. Very beneficial externally and internally in leucorrhoea. Its internal use is highly recommended in colliquative perspiration. Externally it is a good application to wounds, ulcers, scald-head, and some other cutaneous diseases. Dose of the decoction, from a wineglassful to a teacupful, two or three times a day. The fresh leaves or flowers will destroy or drive away fleas.

DANDELION (Leontodon Taraxacum).

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — Dandelion is a perennial, top-shaped herb, having a very milky root. The leaves are all radical, shining green in color,'. sessile, and pinnate. The scape or flower stem is longer than the leaves, five or six inches in height, and bearing a single yellow flower. The fruit is an achenium.

History. — This plant is a native of Greece, but is now found growing abundantly in Europe and the United States, in fields, gardens, and along road-sides, flowering from April to November. The root only is

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 81

bhe officinal part, and should be collected when the plant is in flo^v^er» Alcohol or boiling water extracts its properties. The young plant i& frequently used as a salad or green, and possesses some slight narcotic properties.

Properties and Uses. — The dried root possesses but little medicinal \T.rtue ; but when fresh, is a stomachic and tonic, with slightly diuretio and aperient actions. It has long been supposed to exert an influence upon the biliary organs, removing torpor and engorgement of the liver as well as of the spleen ; it is also reputed beneficial in dropsies owing to want of action of the abdominal organs, in uterine obstructions, chronic diseases of the skin, etc. Its virtues, however, are much over-rated.

DEVIL'S BIT (Helonias Diocia).

CoMiviON Names. False Unicorn Boot, Drooping Star Wort, etc.

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — This is an herbaceous perennial plant, with a largo bulbous root, from which arises a very smooth angular stem one or two feet in height. The cauline leaves are lanceolate, acute, and small ; the radical leaves (or those springing from the root) are broader and from four to eight inches in length. The flowers are small, very numer- ous, greenish- white, disposed in long, terminal, nodding racemes, re- sembling plumes. The fruit is a capsule.

History. — This plant is indigenous to the United States, and is abun- dant in some of the Western States, growing in woodlands, meadows, and moist situations, and flowering in June and July.

Pr&perties and Uses. — In large doses it is emetic, and when fresh, sia- lagogue. In doses of ten or fifteen grains of the powdered root, repeated three or four times a day, it has been found very beneficial in dyspepsia, loss of appetite, and for the removal of worms. It is beneficial in coHc, and in atony of the generative organs. It is invaluable in uterine dis- eases, acting as a uterine tonic, and gradually removing abnormal con- ditions, while at the same time it imparts tone and vigor to the repro- ductive organs. Hence, it is much used in leucorrhoea, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, and to remove the tendency to repeated and successive miscarriage. The plant wiU kill cattle feeding on it, and the decoction, insects, bugs, and lice.

Dose. — Of the powder, from twenty to forty grains ; of the decootion, from a wineglassful to a teacupful.

The Helonias Bullata, with purple flowers, and probably some othei species possess similar medicinal virtues.

DOCK (RUMEX Crispus).

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — There are four varieties of Dock which may be used in

82

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

Dock.

medicine : the Rumcx Aquaticus (Great Water Dock) ; Rumex Britan- nica (Water Dock) ; Rumex AhtusifoUus (Blunt-leaved Dock) ; and the R. Crispus, or Yellow Dock. They all possess simi- lar medicinal qualities, but the Yellow Dock is the only one entitled to extensive consideration. It has a deep, spindle-shaped yellow root, with a stem two or three feet high. The leaves are lanceolate, acute, and of a light green color. The flowers are numerous, pale green, drooping, and interspersed with leaves below. The fruit is a nut contracted at each end.

History. — The Docks are natives of Europe, ex- cepting the blunt-leaved, which is indigenous, but they have all been introduced into the United States. Yellow Dock grows in cultivated grounds, waste grounds, about rubbish, etc. , flowering in June and July. The root has scarcely any odor, but an as- tringent bitter taste, and yields its virtues to water and alcohol.

Properties and CTses. —Yellow Dock is an altera- tive, tonic and detergent, and eminently useful in scorbutic, cutaneous, scrofulous, cancerous and syphilitic affections, leprosy, elephantiasis, etc. For all impurities of the blood it has no equal, especially if pro- perly compounded with appropriate adjutants and corrigents. The fresh root bruised in cream, lard, or butter, forms a good ointment for various affections. This admirable alterative is one of the ingredients of my Blood Purifier isee page ^Ic), in which it is associated with other eminent alteratives, making the compound worthy of the reputation it has achieved.

DOGWOOD (CoRNus Florida).

Common Names. Boxwood.^ Flowering Comely Oreen Ozier.

Mediclnal Part. The bark.

Description. — Dogwood is a small Dogwood,

indigenous tree from twelve to thirty feet high, with. a very hard and compact wood, and covered with a rough and brownish bark. The tree is of slow growth. The leaves are opposite, smooth, ovate, acute, dark

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 83

green above, paler beneath. The flowers are very small, of a ^eenish yellow color, and constitute the chief beauty of the tree when in bloom. The fruit is an oval drupe of a glossy scarlet color, containing a nut with two cells and two seeds.

History. — This tree grows in various parts of the United States ; it flowers in April and May. The fruit matures in autumn. The wood is used for many purposes. The bark yields its virtues to water and alco- hol. The chemical qualities are tannic and gallic acids, resin, gum, oil, wax, lignin, lime, potassa, and iron.

Properties and Uses. — It is tonic, astringent, and slightly stimulant. It is an excellent substitute for Peruvian bark, and may be used when the foreign remedy is not to be obtained, or when it fails, or where it cannot be administered. The bark should only be used in its dried state. Cornine., its active principle, is much used as a substitute for quinine.

Dogwood, or gi-een ozier, exerts its best virtues in the shape of an ointment. It is detergent in all inflammatory conditions, destructive to morbid growths, and at variance with diseased nutrition. It stimulates granulations, increases the reparative process, induces circulation of healthy blood to the parts, removes effete matter, vitalizes the tissues, and speedily removes pain from the diseased parts. It fulfils these conditions in my great healing remedy, the "Herbal Ointment," see page 472.

Dose. — Of the powder, twenty to sixty grains ; extract, five to ten grains ; comine, from one to ten grains.

DRAGOX ROOT (Arum Triphyllum).

CoiiMON Names. Wake Bohin.^ Indian Turnip^ Jack in the Pulpit^ etc.

Medicinal Part. TJie cormiis or root.

Description. — This plant has a roimd, flattened, perennial rhizome; the upper part is tunicated like an onion. The leaves are generally one or two, standing on long, sheathing footstalks ; leaflets oval, mostly entire, acuminate, smooth, and paler on the under side.

History. — It inhabits Xorth and South America, is found in wet loca- tions, and flowers from May to Jime. The whole plant is acrid, but the root is the only part employed. It is of various sizes, turnip-shaped, dark and corrugated externally, and milk-white within, seldom exceed- ing two and a half inches in diameter. \Mien first dug it is too fiercely acrid for internal employment, as it will leave an impression upon the tongue, lips, and fauces, like that of a severe scald, followed by inflam- mation and tenderness, which, however, may be somewhat mollified by milk. It exerts no such influence upon the external skin, except upon long and continued application. The root loses its acrimony by age, and should always be used when partially dried. In addition to its acrid principle, it contains a large proportion of starch, with a portion

84 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

of ^m, albumen, and saccharine matter. When the acrid matter is driven off by heat, the root yields a pure, delicate, amylaceous matter, resembling arrow-root, very white and nutritive.

Properties and Uses. — It is acrid, expectorant, and diaphoretic, used in asthma, hooping'-cough, chronic bronchitis, chronic rheumatism, pains in the chest, colic, low stages of typhus, and general debUity ; exter- nally in scrofulous tumors, scald-head, and various skin diseases.

Dose. — Of the grated root, in syrup or mucilage, ten grains, three or four times a day.

ELDER (Sambucus Canadensis).

Medicinal Parts. The flowers and berries.

Description. — This is a common, well-known native Americaji plant, from five to twelve feet high, with a shrubby stem, filled with a light and porous pith, especially when young. The bark is rather scabrous and cLaereous. The leaves are nearly bipinnate, antiposed. The flowers are numerous, white, in very large level-topped, five-parted cymes, and have a heavy odor. The European Elder, though larger than the Ameri- can kind, is similar in its general characteristics and properties.

History. — It is an indigenous shrub, growing in all parts of the United States, in low, damp grounds, thickets, and waste places, flowering in June and July, and maturing its berries in September and October. The officinal parts are the flowers, the berries, and the inner bark.

Properties and Uses. — In warm infusion the flowers are diaphoretic and gently stimulant. In cold infusion they are diuretic, alterative, and cooling, and may be used in all diseases requiring such action, as in hepatic derangements of children, erysipelas, erysipelatous diseases, etc. In infusion with Maiden-hair and Beech-drops, they will be found very valuable in all erysipelatous diseases. The expressed juice of the berries., evaporated to the consistence of a syrup, is a valuable aperient and alterative ; one ounce of it will purge. An infvision of the young leaf- buds is likewise purgative, and sometimes acts with violence. The flowers and expressed juice of the berries have been beneficially em- ployed in scrofula, cutaneous diseases, syphilis, rheumatism, etc. The inner green bark is cathartic ; an infusion of it in wine, or the expressed juice, will purge moderately in doses from half a fluid ounce to a fluid ounce. Large doses produce emesis or vomiting. In small doses it pro- duces an efficacious deobstruent, promoting aU the fluid secretions, and is much used in dropsy, especially that following scarlatina and other febrile and exanthematous complaints, as well as in many chronic dis- eases. Beaten up with lard or cream, it forms an excellent discutient ointment, of much value in bums, scalds, and some cutaneous diseases. The juice of the root in half -ounce doses, taken daily, acts as a hydra- gogue cathartic, and stimulating diuretic, and will be found valuable in all

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 86

dropsical affections. The inuer bark of Elder is hydragogue and emetico- cathartic. Has been successfully used in epilepsy, by taking it from branches one or two years old, scraping off the gray outer bark, and steeping two ounces of it ia five ounces of cold or hot water for forty- eight hours. StraLn and give a wineglassful every fifteen minutes when the fit is threatening : the patient fasting. Resume it every six or eight days.

ELECAMPANE (Inula Helenium).

Medicinal Part. The root.

Descnx)tion. — This plant has a thick, top-shaped, aromatic, and pe- rennial root, with a thick, leafy, round, solid stem, from four to six feet high. The leaves are large, ovate, dark green above, downy and hoary beneath, with a fleshy mid-rib. The flowers are of a bright yellow color, and the fruit an achenium.

History. — Elecampane is common ia Europe, and cultivated in the United States. It grows in pastures and along road-sides, blossoming from July to September. The root is the part used, and should be gathered in the second year of its development, and during the faU months. It yields its properties to water and alcohol, more especia'V to the former.

Properties and Uses. — It is aromatic, stimulant, tonic, emmenagogue, diuretic, and diaphoretic. It is much used in chronic pulmonary affec- tions, weakness of the digestive organs, hepatic torpor, dyspepsia, etc.

Dose. — Of the powder, from one scruple to one drachm ; of the infu- /^ion, one to two fluid ounces.

ERGOT (Secale Cornutum).

Common Names. Spurred or Smut Bye.

Medicinal Part. The degenerated seeds.

Description.— Ergot is the name given to the fungoid, degenerated leeds of the common rye, which is the result of a parasitic plant called Oidium Abortifaciens.

History. — Ergot consists of grains, varying in length, of a violet-black color ; odor fishy, peculiar, and nauseous. Their taste is not very marked, but is disagreeable and slightly acrid. They should be gathered previous to harvest.

Properties and Uses. — Ergot has a remarkable effect upon the human system, and when persisted in for a length of time as an article of food manifests certain symptoms termed ergotism. Its chief use as a medicine is to promote uterine contractions in slow, natural labors. It is also useful in checking menorrhagia, uterine hemorrhages, and to expel polypi. It is also employed in gonorrhoea, amenorrhoea, paraplegia, paralysis of the bladder, fever and ague.

86 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

This is a valuable remedy to the obstetrician and midwife, but its use should not be persisted in too long, as it often produces dangerous symptoms.

Dose. — Of the powder, five, ten, or fifteen grains ; fluid extract, thirty drops.

ERYNGO (Ertngium Aquaticum).

Common Names. Buttonsnake Boot, Battlesnake's Master, etc.

Medicinal Part. The root.

Bescri'ption. — This indigenous, perennial herb has a simple stem from one to five feet high. The root is a tuber; the leaves are one or two feet long, half an inch to an inch wide, and taper-pointed. The flowers are white or pale, and inconspicuous.

History. — This plant is indigenous, growing in swamps and low, wet lands from Virgiaia to Texas, especially on prairie lands, blossoming in August. The root is the officinal part. Water or alcohol extracts its properties.

Broperties and Uses. — It is aphrodisiac, exciting venereal desires and strengthening the procreative organs. It is also dmretic, stimulant, diaphoretic, expectorant, and, in large doses, emetic. Very useful in dropsy, nephritic and calculous affections, also in scrofula and syphilis. It is valuable as a diaphoretic and expectorant in pulmonary affections. It is a good substitute for Senega. The pulverized root, in doses of two or three grains, is very effectual in hemorrhoids and prolapsus ani. Two ounces of the pulverized root, added to one pint of good HoUand gin, is effectual in obstinate cases of gonorrhoea and gleet, to be administered in doses of one or two fluid drachms, three or four times a day. By some practitioners the root is employed as a specific in gonorrhoea, gleet, and leucorrhoea ; used internally in syrup, decoction, or tincture — and the decoction applied locally by injection. Used externally and inter- nally, it cures the bites of snakes and insects.

Dose. — Of the powder, from twenty to forty grains ; of the decoction, which is principally used, from two to four fluid ounces, several times ^ day.

EYE-BRIGHT (Euphrasia Officinalis).

Medicinal Part. The leaves.

Description. — This is an elegant little annual plant, with a square, downy, leafy stem, from one to five inches in height. The leaves are entirely opposite, ovate or cordate, and downy ; the flowers very abun- dant, inodorous, with a brilliant variety of colors. The fruit is an ob- long pod, filled with numerous seeds.

History. — This plant is indigenous to Europe and America, bearing

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 87

ted or wliite flowers in July. The leaves are commonly employed ; they are inodorous, but of a bitter, astringent taste. Water extracts their virtues.

Properties and Virtues. — Slightly tonic and astringent. Useful in form of infusion or poultice, in catarrhal ophthalmia ; also of service in all mucous diseases attended with increased discharges ; also, in cough, hoarseness, ear-ache, and head-ache, which have supervened upon catar- rhal affections. Four fluid ounces of the infusion taken every morning upon an empty stomach, and also every night at bed-time, has been found successful in helping epilepsy.

FERNS (FiLiCES).

Royal Flowering Fern. Osmunda Regalis.

Common Name. Buckhorn Brake.

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — This Fern has a hard, scaly, tuberous root, quite fibrous, and a whitish core in the centre. The fronds are three or f^"^ feet high, bright green, and doubly pinnate. The numerous leaflets are sessile and oblong, some of the upper ones cut.

History. — This beautiful Fern is found in meadows, and low, moist grounds, throughout the United States, blossoming in June. The main root or caudex is the officinal part ; it is about two inches long, and has the shape of a buck's horn. It contains an abundance of mucilage, which is extracted by boiling water. The roots should be collected in August, or about the latter part of May, and dried with great care, as they are apt to become mouldy.

The Osmunda Cinnamomea., or cinnamon-colored Fern, is inferior to the preceding, but is frequently used for the same medical purposes.

Properties and Uses. — Mucilaginous, tonic, and styptic. Used ia coughs, diarrhoea, and dysentery ; also used as a tonic during conva- lescence from exhausting diseases. One root, infused in a pint of hot water for half an hour, will convert the whole -into a thick jeUy, very valuable in leucorrhoea and other female weaknesses. The mucilage mixed with brandy is a popular remedy as an external application for subluxations and debihty of the muscles of the back. For internal use the roots may be iafused ia hot water, sweetened, and giager, ciunamon, brandy, etc. , added, if not contra-tadicated.

FEMALE FERN (Polypodium Vulgare).

Common Names. Rock Polypod, Brake Root, Common Polypody. Medicinal Parts. The root and tops.

Description. — This perennial has a creeping, irregular, brown root. The fronds are from six to twelve inches high, green, smooth, aud

S8

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

deeply pinnatificd. The fruit on the lower surface of the fronds ig in large golden dots or capsules.

IItsto7'7/. — This fern is common on shady rocks in woods and moun- tains throughout the United States. The root has a peculiar and rather unpleasant odor, and somewhat sickening taste. Water extracts its properties.

Properties and Uses. — This plant is pectoral, demulcent, purgative, and anthelmintic. A decoction of syrup has been found very valuable in pulmonary and hepatic diseases. A strong decoction is a good purga- tive, and will expel tenia and other worms. Dose of the powdered plant, from one to four drachms. Of the decoction or syrup, from one to four fluid ounces, three or four times a day.

MALE FERN (Aspidium Filix Mas).

Medicinal Part. The rhizome.

Description. — Male Fern has a large, perennial, tufted, scaly rhizome, Bending forth yearly several leaves, three or four feet high, erect, oval,

lanceolate, acute, pinnate, bright green, and leafy nearly to the bot- tom ; their stalks and midribs having tough, brown, and transparent scales throughout. Leaf- lets numerous, crowded, oblong, ob- tuse, and crenato throughout.

Hi story. — Male Fern grows in all parts of the United States and Europe. The root has a dark brown epiderm, ia almost inodorous, and a nauseous sweet taste. It contains a green fat oil, gum, resin, lignin, tannic acid, pectin, albumen, etc. It should be gathered from June to September. After gathering, it should be carefully prepared, as on the preparation its virtues depend. It loses its virtues in two years if not properly preserved.

Male Fern.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 89

Properties and Uses. — It is used for the expulsion of worms, especially tape-worms. It was used as such by Pliny, Dioscorides, Theophrastus, and Galen. It was the celebrated secret remedy of Madame NoufEer, the widow of a Swiss surgeon, who sold her secret to Louis XVI. for 18,000 francs. It is, in fact, a royal anthelmintic, and worthy of all the high commendations it has received from ages past up to the present time. It is one of the ingredients of my " Male Fern Vermifuge." See page 474.

FEVERFEW (Pykethrum Paethenium).

Medictnal Part. The herb.

Description. — Feverfew is a perennial herbaceous plant, with a taper- ing root, and an erect, round, and leafy stem about two feet high. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, hoary green, with leaflets inclining to ovate and dentate. The flowers are white and compound, and the fruit a wingless, angular, and uniform achenium.

History. — The plant is a native of Europe, but common in the United States ; found occasionally in a wild state, but generally cultivated in gardens, and blossoms in June and July. It imparts its virtues to water, but much better to alcohol.

Properties and Uses. — It is tonic, carminative, emmenagogue, vermi- fuge, and stimulant. The warm infusion is an excellent remedy in recent colds, flatulency, worms, irregular menstruation, hysteria, sup- pression of urine, and in some febrile diseases. In hysteria or flatulency, one teaspoonful of the compound spirits of lavender forms a valuable addition to the dose of the infusion, which is from two to four fluid ounces. The cold infusion or extract makes a valuable tonic. The leaves, in poultice, are an excellent local application in severe pain or swelling of the bowels, etc. Bees are said to dislike this plant very much, and a handful of the flower-heads carried where they are \ytII cause them to keep at a distance.

FIGWORT (Scrophularia Nodosa).

Medicinal Parts, The leaves and root.

Description. — Figwort has a perennial, whitish, and fibrous root, with a leafy, erect, smooth stem from two to four feet high. The leaves are opposite, ovate ; the upper lanceolate, acute, of deep green color, and from three to seven inches in length. The flowers are small, and dark purple in color. The fruit is an ovate-oblon;g capsule.

History. — This plant is a native of Europe, but is found growing in different parts of the United States, in woods, hedges, damp copses, and banks, blossoming from July to October. The plants known by the names of Carpentefs Square, Heal All, Square Stalky etc. {S. Mart-

90 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

landica and 8. Lanceolata)^ are all mere varieties of Figwort, possess- ing- similar medicinal properties. The leaves and root are the officinal parts, and yield their virtues to water or alcohol. The leaves have an offensive odor, and a bitter, unpleasant taste ; the root is slightly acrid.

Properties and Uses. — It is alterative, diuretic, and anodyne; highly beneficial in hepatic or liver diseases, dropsy, and as a g-eneral deob- struent to the glandular system when used in infusion or syrup. Ex- ternally, in the form of fomentation or ointment, it is valuable in bruises, inflammation of the mammge, ringworm, piles, painful swell- ings, itch, and cutaneous eruptions of a vesicular character. The root, in decoction and drunk freely, will restore the lochial dischaxge when suppressed, and relieve the pains attending difficult menstruation. This plant possesses many valuable and active medicinal properties.

Dose. — Of the infusion or syrup, from a wineglassf ul to a teacupf uL

FIEEWEED (Erecthites Hieractifolius).

Medicinal Parts. The root and herb.

Description. — This plant has an annual, herbaceous, thick, fleshy, branching, and roughish stem, from one to five feet high. The leaves are simple, alternate, large, lanceolate or oblong, acute, deeply dentate, sessile, and light green. The flowers are whitish, and the fruit an achenium, oblong and hairy.

History. — This indigenous rank weed grows in fields throughout the United States, in moist woods, in recent clearings, and is especially abundant in such as have been burned over. It flowers from July to October, and somewhat resembles the Sowthistle. The whole plant yields its virtues to water or alcohol. It has a peculiar, aromatic, and somewhat fetid odor, and a slightly pungent, bitter, and disagreeable taste.

Properties and Uses. — It is emetic, cathartic, tonic, astringent, and alterative. The latter three qualities are the most valuable. It is an unrivaUed medicine in diseases of the mucous tissues. The spirituous extract which I use in my practice is most excellent in cholera and dysentery, promptly arresting the discharges, relieving the pain, and effecting a speedy cure. It is invariably successful in summer com- plaints of children, even in cases where other means have failed.

FROST-WEED (Helianthkmum Canadense).

Common Names. Rock Pose, Frost Plant, etc.

Medicinal Part. The herb.

Description. — Rock Rose is a pereanial herb, with a simple, ascending

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

91

Rock Rose.

downy stem, about a foot high. The leaves are alternate, from one hal:

to one inches long, about one-fourth as wide;

oblong, acute, lanceolate, erect, and entire. The

flowers are large and bright yellow, some with

petals, and some without petals. The flowers

open in sunshine and cast their petals next day.

History. — It is indigenous to all parts of the United States, growing in dry, sandy soils, and blossoming from May to July. The leaves and stems are covered with a white down, hence its aame. The whole plant is officinal, having a bit- terish, astringent, slightly aromatic taste, and yields its properties to hot water. Prof. Eaton, in his work on botany, records this curious fact of the plant : "In November and December of 1810 I saw hundreds of these plants sending out broad, thin, curved ice crystals, about an inch in breadth from near the roots. These were melted away by day, and renewed every morning for more than twenty-five days in succession."

Properties and Uses. — This plant has long been used as a valuable remedy for scrofula, in which disease it performs some astonishing cures. It is used in form of decoction, synip, or fluid extract, but had better be used in combination with other remedies. In combi- nation vrith Gorydalis Fm^mosa and 8tillingia it forms a most valuable re- medy. It is tonic and astringent, as well as antiscrof ulcus. It can be used with advantage in diarrhoea, as a gargle in scarlatina and aphthous ulcer- ations, and as a wash in scrofulous ophthalmia. Externally, a poultice of the leaves is applied to scrofulous tumors and ulcers. An oil has been procured from the plant which is said to be highly valuable in cancerous affections.

The Helianthemum Coryrnbosum., or Frost-weed, growing in the pine barrens and sterile lands of the Southern and ]VIiddle States, possesses similar qualities, and may be employed if the former frost-weed is not to be had. This excellent alterative is a constituent of that happy com- bination of alteratives composing my "Blood Purifier," see page 473_

FUMITORY (FuMARiA Officinalis).

Medicinal Part. The leaves.

Description. — Fumitory is an annual, glaucous plant, with a sub-erect, much branched, spreading, leafy and angular stem, growing from ten to fifteen inches high. The leaves are mostly alternate. Culpepper, who knew the plant which is now used, better than anybody else, said that " at the top of the branches stand many small flowers, as it were in a long

92 THE complete' herbalist.

epike one above another, made like little birds, of a reddish purple color, with whitish bellies, after which come small round husks, contain- ing small black seeds. The root is small, yellow, and not very long, and full of juice when it is young." The fruit, or nut, is ovoid or globose, one-seeded or valveless. The seeds are crestless.

History. — Fumitory is found growing in cultivated soils in Europe and America, and flowers in May, June, and July. The leaves are the parts used. Culpepper recommended the whole plant, but the modem decision is to use the leaves, gathered at the proper times, alone. They have no odor, but taste bitter under all circumstances. They are to be used when fresh, and possess the same qualities as Culpepper affixes to the fresh root, viz. : malate of lime and bitter extractive principles.

Properties and Uses. —Its virtues are chiefly tonic, and those who suf- fer from diseases of the stomach know too well that a tonic, if properly defined, is, simple as it may be, one of the most important remedies for human ailments nature has provided. Its chief value is found in its action upon the liver. It is used, in combination, with excel- lent effect in cutaneous diseases, liver complaints, such as jaundice, costiveness, scurvy, and in debility of the stomach. An infusion of the leaves is usually given in a wineglass (full) every four hours. The flow- ers and tops have been applied, macerated in wine, to dyspepsia, with partial good effect.

GAMBIR PLANT (Uncaria Gambir).

Medicinal Part. Extract of the leaves and young shoots.

Description. — Gambir is a stout climbing shrub with round branches. Leaves ovate, lanceolate, acute, smooth, and have short petioles. Flow- ers in loose heads, green and pink ; calyx short, corolla funnel-shaped ; stamens five, and the fruit a two-ceUed capsule.

History. — It is an inhabitant of the East Indian Archipelago, where ii is extensively cultivated. On the island of .Bingtang alone there are 60,000 Gambir plantations. It affords what is known as pale catechu. It is chiefly imported from Singapore. It is found in cubes which float on water, externally brown, internally pale brick red, breaking easily. Taste bitter, very astringent, and mucilaginous. Boiling water almost completely dissolves it. It is used in the arts for tanning.

Properties and Uses. — It is employed as an astringent. In various affections of the mouth it is an efficacious astringent. It is also excel- lent as a stomachic in dyspeptic complaints, especially when accom- panied with pyrosis. It should be used just before taking food. It is an excellent astringent in chronic diarrhoea and dysentery.

Dose. — From ten to forty grains.

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93

GELSEMIN (Gelseminum Sempervirens).

Common Names. Telloic Jessamine^ Woodbine, Wild Jessamine.

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — This plant has a twining, smooth, glabrous stem, with opposite, perennial, lanceolate, entire leaves, which are dark green above and pale beneath. The flowers are yellow, and have an agreeable odor. Calyx is very small, viith five sepals, corolla funnel-shaped, sta- mens five, pistils two, and the fruit a two-celled capsule.

History. — Yellow jessamine abounds throughout the Southern States, growing luxuriantly, and climbing from tree to tree, forming an agree- able shade. It is cultivated as an Ornamental vine, and flowers from March to May. The root yields its virtues to water and alcohol. Gelse- min is its active principle. It also contains a fixed oil, acrid resin, yel- low coloring matter, a heavy volatile oil, a crystalline substance, and Baits of potassa, lime, magnesia, iron, and silica.

Properties and Uses. — It is an unrivalled febrifuge, possessing relaxing and antispasmodic properties. It is efficacious in nervous and bilious headache, colds, pneumonia, hemorrhages, leucorrhoea, ague-cake, but especially in all kinds of fevers, quieting all nervous irritability and excitement, equalizing the circulation, promoting perspiration, and rec- tifying the various secretions, without causing nausea, vomiting, and purging, and is adapted to any stage of the disease. It may follow any preceding treatment with safety. Its effects are clouded vision, double- sightedness, or even complete prostration, and inability to open the eyes. These, however, pass completely off in a few hours, leaving the patient refreshed, and completely restored. When the effects are in- duced no more of the remedy is required. It is also of great service in various cardiac dis- eases, spermatorrhoea, and other genital diseases ; but its use should be confined entirely to the advice of the physician.

Dose. — The tincture is the form in which it is employed. The dose is from ten to fifty drops in a wineglass half full of water ; to be repeated every two hours, as long as required.

GENTIAN (Gentiana Lutea).

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — This plant has a long, thick, cylindrical, wrinkled, ringed, forked, perennial root, brown externally, and yeUow within,

Gtentian.

94 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

with a Btem tliree or four feet high, hollow, stout, and erect ; leaves ovate-oblong, five- veined, pale, bright green ; the blossoms are large, of a bright yellow, in many-flowered whorls ; and the fruit is a capsule, stalked, oblong, and two-valved.

History. — This plant is common in Central and Southern Europe, es- pecially on the Pyrenees and Alps, being found from 3,000 to 5,000 feet above the level of the sea. The root affords the medicinal portion, and is brought to America chiefly from Havre and Marseilles. It has a feeble aromatic odor, and a taste at first faintly sweetish, and then purely, intensely, and permanently bitter. It imparts its virtues readily to cold or hot water, alcohol, wine, spirits, or sulphuric ether.

Properties and Uses. — Is a powerful tonic, improves the appetite, strengthens digestion, gives force to the circulation, and slightly elevates the heat of the body. Very useful ia debUity, exhaustion, dyspepsia, gout, amenorrhoea, hysteria, scrofula, iatermittents, worms, and di- arrhoea.

Dose. — Of the powder, ten to thirty grains ; of the extract, one to ten grains ; of the infusion, a tablespoonful to a wineglassful ; of the tinc- ture, one or two teaspoonfuls.

Uncrystallized gentianin is a most valuable substitute for quinia, acting as readily and efiicaciously on the spleen, in doses of from fifteen to thirty grains, twice a day.

Gentiana Catesbei, or the Blue., or American Gentian, has a perennial, branching, somewhat fleshy root, with a simple, erect, rough stem, eight or ten inches in height, and bears large blue flowers. It grows in the grassy swamps and meadows of North and South Carolina, blossoming from September to December. The root is little inferior to the foreign gentian, and may be used as a substitute for it in all cases, in the same doses and preparations.

Gentiana Quinqueplora, or Five -flowered Gentian.^ sometimes called Gall-weed, on account of its intense bitterness, is very useful in headache, liver complaint, jaundice, etc. The plant is found from Vermont to Pennsylvania, and a variety of it is common throughout the Western States. It grows in woods and pastures, and flowers in September and October. It may be regarded as a valuable tonic and cholagogue, and deserves further investigation of its therapeutic pro- perties.

There is another kind of gentian {Gentiana Ochroleuca).^ known by the names of Marsh Gentian, Yellowish-white Gentian, Straw-colored Gentian, and Sampson Snake-weed. It has a stout, smoothish, ascend- ing stem, one or two inches in height, its leaves two to four inches long, and three-fourths to an inch and a half in wadth, with straw-colored flowers two inches long by three-quarters thick, disposed in a dense, terminal cyme, and often in axillary cymes. It is found in Canada

THE COMrLETE HERBALIST. 95

and the Southern and Western States, though rarely in the latter, blos- soming in September and October ; the root is the officinal part, although the tops are often employed. They are bitter, tonic, anthelmintic, and astringent. Used in dyspepsia, intermittents, dysentery, and all diseases of periodicity.

To two ounces of the tops and roots pour on a pint and a half of boil- ing water, and when nearly cold add a half -pint of brandy. Dose, from one to three tablespoonfuls every half -hour, gradually increasing as the stomach can bear it, lengthening the intervals between the doses. It is also used for bites of snakes, etc.

GILLENIA (GiLLENiA Trifoliata).

Common Name. Indian Physic.

Medicestal Part. The hark of the root.

Descri'ption. — Gillenia is an indigenous, perennial herb, with an irre- gular, brownish, somewhat tuberous root, having many long, knotted, stringy fibres. The several stems are from the same root, about two or three feet high, erect, slender, smooth, and of a reddish or brownish color. The leaves are alternate, subsessile ; leaflets lanceolate, acumi- nate, sharply dentated ; flowers are white, with a reddish tinge ; and the fruit a two-valved, one-celled capsule. Seeds are oblong, brown, and bitter.

History. — This species is found scattered over the United States from Canada to Florida, on the eastern side of the Alleghanies, occurring in open hilly woods, in light gravelly soU. The period of flowering is in May, and the fruit is matured in August, The root yields its virtues to boiling water and alcohol.

Properties and Uses. — It is emetic, cathartic, diaphoretic, expectorant, and tonic. It resembles ipecac in action. It is useful in amenorrhoea, rheumatism, dropsy, costiveness, dyspepsia, worms, and intermittent fever. It may be used in all fevers where emetics are required.

Dose. — As an emetic, twenty to thirty-five grains of the powder, as often as required ; as a tonic, two to four grains ; as a diaphoretic, six grains in cold water, and repeated at intervals of two or three hours,

GOSSYPIUM HERBACEUM.

Common Name. Cotton.

Medicestal Part. The inner hark of the root.

Description. — Cotton is a biennial or triennial herb, with a fusiform root, with a round pubescent branching stem about five feet high. The leaves are hoary, palmate, with five sub-lanceolate, rather acute lobes ; flowers are yellow ; calyx cup-shaped, petals five, deciduous, with a purple spot near the base ; stigmas, three or five ; and the fruit a three or five-celled capsule, with three or five seeds involved in cotton.

96 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

History. — It is a native of Asia ; but is cultivated extensively in many parts of the world, and in the Southern portions of America more suc- cessfully than anywhere else. The inner bark of the recent root is the part chiefly used in medicine, lis active principle, which is that admin- istered by all educated herbal physicians, is called Oossyjjiin.

Projiertics and Uses. — The preparation Gossypiin is most excellent for diseases of the utero-genital organs. In these diseases it evinces its sole and only virtues, and it ought, on every occasion where it can be pro- cured in its purity, to be used in the stead of ergot, or smut rye, in cases of difficult labor. The latter will produce uterine inflammation, and puerperal fever, while gossypiin will achieve the beneficial effects for which ergot is usually administered, and leave the system perfectly free from any prejudicial after-results. The active principle of fresh cot- ton root forms a most wonderful uterine tonic, ard, if correctly prepared, will be found invaluable in sterility, vaginitis, whites, menstrual irregu- larities, green sickness, etc. I do not recommend the use of the decoc- tion of the root by inexperienced persons. The seeds are said to possesi superior anti-periodic properties.

GLOBE FLOWER (Cephalanthus Occidentalis).

Common Names. Button Biis\ Pond Dogwood., etc.

Medicinal Part. — TJie bark.

Description. — This is a handsome shrub, growing from six to twelve or more feet high, with a rough bark on the stem, but smooth on the branches. The leaves are opposite, oval, acuminate, in whorls of three, from three to five inches long by two to three wide. The flowers are white, and resemble those of the sycamore, and the fruit a hard and drj capsule.

History. — This plant is indigenous, and found in damp places, along the margins of rivers, ponds, etc., flowering from June to September. The bark is very bitter, and yields its virtues to water and alcohol.

Properties and Uses. — Tonic, febrifuge, aperient, and diuretic. It is used with much success in intermittent and remittent fevers. The inner bark of the root forms an agreeable bitter, and is employed in cougha and gravel. It deserves more notice than it receives, for my experience with it teaches me that it is a valuable medicinal plant.

GOLDEN SEAL (Hydrastis Canadensis).

Common Names. Yellow Puccoon, Ground Baspherry, Tv/rmerie Boot, etc.

Medicinal Part. The root.

Hescnption. — This indigenous plant has a perennial root or rhizome, which is tortuous, knotty, creeping, internally of a bright yellow color, with long fibres. The stem is erect, einiple, herbaceous, rounded, from

THE COMPLETE HF.IBALIST.

97

six to twelve inclies high, bearing two unequal terminal leaves. The two leaves are alternate, palmate, having from three to five lobes, hairy, dark-green, cordate at base, from four to nine inches wide when full grown. The flower is a solitary one, small, white or rose-colored, aud the fruit resembles a raspberry, is red, and consists of many two-seeded dJTipes.

History. — Golden seal is found growong in shady woods, in rich soils, and damp meadows in different parts of the United States and Canada, but is more abundant west of the Alleghanies. It flowers in May and June. The root is the officinal part. Its virtues are imparted to water cr alcohol. The root is of a beautiful yel- low color, and when fresh is juicy, and used by the Indians to color their clothing, etc.

Propertiea and Uses. — The root is a pow- erful tonic, at the same time exerting an especial influence upon the mucous surfaces and tissues, -with which it comes in contact. Internally, it is successfully administered in dyspepsia, chronic affections of the mucous coats of the stomach, erysipelas ; remittent, intermittent, and typhoid fevers ; torpor of the liver, and wherever tonics are reauired. In some instances it ptoveg laitatlve, out without any astringency, and seems to rank in therapeutical action between rhubarb and blood-root.

A strong decoction of two parts of Golden Seal and one part of Geranium or Cranebill, is very valuable in gleet, chronic gonorrhoea, and leucorrhoea, used in injection. It is likewise of much benefit in m- cipient stricture., spermatorrhea., and inflammation and ulceration of the internal coat of the bladder. Ulceration of the internal coat of the bladder may be cured by the decoction of Golden Seal alone. It must be injected into the bladder, and held there as long as the patient can conveniently retain it. To be repeated three or four times a day, im- mediately after emptying the bladder.

Dose. — Of the powder, from ten to thirty grains ; of the tincture, from, one to two fluid drachms.

Golden Seal.

GOLD THREAD (Coptis Trifolia).

Common Name. Mouth-root. ^Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — This plant has a small, creeping, perennial root, of a bright yellow color ; the stems are round, slender, and at the base are 5 a

98 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

invested with ovate, acuminate, yellowish scales. The leaves are ever- green, on long, slender petioles ; leaflets roundish, acute at base, small and smooth, and veiny and sessile. The flower is a small starry white one, and the fruit an oblong capsule, containing many small black seeds.

History. — Goldthread is found growing in dark swamps and sphagnoua woods in the northern parts of the United States, and in Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and Siberia. It flowers early in the spring to July. The root is the medicinal part, and autumn is the season for coUect- ing it.

Properties and Uses. — It is a pure and powerful bitter tonic, some- what like quassia, gentian, and columbo, without any astringency. It may be beneficially used in all cases where a bitter tonic is required, and is decidedly efficacious as a wash or gargle, when a decoction, in various ulcerations of the mouth. In dyspepsia, and in chronic inflammation of the stomach, equal parts of goldthread and golden seal, made into a decoction, with elixir vitriol added in proper quantity, will not only prove effectual, but in many instances will permanently destroy the appetite for alcoholic beverages.

J)ose. — Of the powder or tincture, from half a drachm to a drachm ; of the decoction, the dose is from one wineglassful to a teacupful. The tincture, made by adding an ounce of the powdered root to a pint of diluted alcohol, is preferable to the powder. The dose is from twenty drops to a teaspoonful, three times a day.

GUAIAC (GuAiACUM OppicmALE).

Common Name. Lignum Vitce.

Medicinal Parts. The wood and resin.

Description. — This is a tree of slow growth, attaining a height of from thirty to forty feet ; stem commonly crooked ; bark furrowed ; wood very hard, heavy, the fibres crossing each other diagonally. Leaves bijugate ; leaflets obovate or oval, obtuse, and evergreen. Flowers light blue, and the fruit an obcordate capsule.

History. — This tree is an inhabitant of the West Indian Islands, and on the neighboring part of the continent. The wood is used by turners for making block-sheaves, pestles, etc. , and is very hard and durable. Both the wood and resin are used in medicine. Alcohol is the best solvent.

Properties and Uses. — The wood or resin, taken internally, commonly excites a warmth in the stomach, a dryness of mouth, or thirst. It is an acrid stimulant, and increases the heat of the body and accelerates the circulation. If the body be kept warm while using the decoction, it is diaphoretic ; if cool, it is diuretic.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 99

It is used in chronic rheumatism, cutaneous diseases, scrofula, and syphilitic diseases.

Dose. — Decoction of the wood, two to four ounces ; of powdered resin, five to twenty grains ; tincture, one to four fluid drachms,

HAZEL (Witch) (Hamamelis Virginica).

Common Names. Winterhloom^ Snafuing -hazelnut^ Spotteci Alder.

Medicinal Parts. The bark and leaves.

Description. — This indigenous shrub consists of several crooked, branching stems, from the same root, from four to six inches in diame- ter and ten to twelve feet high, covered with a smooth gray bark. The leaves are on short petioles, alternate, oval or obovate ; flowers yellow ; calyx small, jjetals four, and the fruit a nut-like capsule or pod.

History. — It grows in damp woods, in nearly all parts of the United States, flowering from September to November, when the leaves are falling, and maturing its seeds the next summer. The barks and leaves are the parts used in medicine. They possess a degree of fragrance, and when chewed are at first somewhat bitter, very sensibly astringent, and then leave a pungent sweetish taste, which remains for a considera- ble time. Water extracts their virtues. The shoots are used as divining rods to discover water and metals under ground by certain adepts in the occult arts.

Properties and Uses. — It is tonic, astringent, and sedative. A decoc- tion of the bark is very useful in hemoptysis, hematemesis, and other hemorrhages or bleedings, as well as in diarrhoea, dysentery, and excessive mucous discharges. It is employed with great advantage in incipient phthisis or consumption, in which it is supposed to unite anodyne influences with its others.

The Indians use it in the form of poultice, in external inflammations, swellings, and all tumors of a painful character.

The decoction may be advantageously used as a wash or injection for sore mouth, painful tumors, external inflammations, bowol com- plaints, prolapsus ani and uteri, leucorrhoea, gleet, and ophthalmia.

An Ointment made with lard, and a decoction of white-oak bark, apple-tree bark, and witch-hazel, is a very valuable remedy for hemor- rhoids or piles.

The following forms a useful preparation : Take equal parts of witch- hazel bark, golden seal, and lobelia leaves, the two first made into a strong decoction, after which add the lobelia to the hot liquid, and cover ; when cold, strain. This decoction, as a collyrium, wiU fre- quently and speedily cure the most obstinate and long-standing cases of ophthalmia.

Doi^e of the witch-hazel decoction alone, from a wineglassful to a tea- cupful, three or four times a day.

100

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

HELLEBOEE (American) (Veratrum Viride).

Common Names. Swamp Hellebore, Indian Poke, Itch-weed. Medicinal Part. The rhizome.

Description. — TMs plant has a perennial, tliick, and flesliy rhizome, ttmicated at the upper part, sending off a multitude of large whitish roots. The stem is from three to five feet high ; lower leaves from six inches to a foot long, oval, acuminate ; upper leaves gradually narrower, linear, lanceolate, and all alter- nate. The flowers are numerous and green, part of them barren.

History.— kmexicsoa. Hellebore is native to the United States, growing in swamps, low grounds, and moist meadows, blossoming in June and July. The roots should be gathered in autumn, and as it rapidly loses its virtues, it should be gathered an- nually and kept in well-closed vessels. When fresh, it has a very strong, unpleasant odor, but when dried is inodorous. It has a sweetish-bitter taste, succeeded by a persistent acridity.

Properties and Uses. — It has many very valua- ble properties. It is slightly acrid, confining this action to the mouth and fauces. It is unsurpassed by any article as an expectorant. As a diaphoretic, it is one of the most certain of the whole materia medica, often exciting great coolness and coldness of the surface. In suitable doses it can be relied upon to bring the pulse down from a hundred and fifty beats in a minute to forty, or even to thirty. Sometimes it renders the skin merely soft and moist, and at others produces free and abundant perspiration. In fevers, in some diseases of the heart, acute rheumatism, and in many other conditions which in- volve an excited state of the circulation, it is of exceeding great value. As a deobstruent or alterative, it far surpasses iodine, and therefore used with great advantage in the treatment of cancer, scrofula, and con- sumption. It is nervine, and never narcotic, which property renders it of great value in all painful diseases, or such as are accompanied with spasmodic action, convulsions, morbid irritability and irritative mobility, as in chorea, epilepsy or fits, pneumonia, puerperal fever, neuralgia, etc., producing these effects without stupefying and torpify- ing the system, as opium is known to do. As an emetic, it is slow, but certain and efficient, rousing the liver to action, and vomits without occasioning prostration or exhaustion like other emetics, being the more valuable in not being cathartic. It is peculiarly adapted as an

Hellebore.

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101

emetic in whooping-coug-h, croup, asthma, scarlet fever, and in all cases where there is much febrile or inflammatory action. As an arterial sedative it stands unparalleled and unequalled, while in small doses it creates and promotes appetite beyond any agent known to medical men. It has recently come into use, and may be justly regarded as one of the most valuable contributions to the list of medicines in a hundred years.

Dose. — ^Veratrum is usually given in the form of a tincture, the for- mula being of the dried root, eight ounces to sixteen ounces diluted .835 alcohol, macerating for two weeks, then to be expressed and fil- tered. To an adult eight drops are given, which should be repeated every three hours, increasing the dose one or two drops every time Tmtil nausea or vomiting, or reduction of the pulse to sixty -five or sev- enty, ensue, then reduce to one-half in all cases. Females and persona from fourteen to eighteen should commence with six drops and increase as above. For children, from two to five years, begin, with two drops, and increase one drop only. Below two years of age, one drop is suf- ficient. If taken in so large a dose as to produce vomiting or too much de- pression, a full dose of morphine or opium, in a little brandy or ginger, is a complete antidote. In pneumonia, typhoid fever, and many other diseases, it must be continued from three to seven days after the symptoms have subsided. In typhoid fever, while using the veratrum, quinia is absolutely inadmissible. It is administered in a little sweetened water, and its employ- ment in moderate doses, or short of nausea, may be continued indefinitely without the least inconvenience.

The Helleborus Niger, Black Hel- lebore., inhabiting the subalpine and southern parts of Europe, was formerly much used in palsy, insanity, apoplexy, dropsy, epUepsy, etc. , but is now more or less discarded. It has diuretic and emmenagogue properties, but as it is very toxical in effects, its use is not to be advised in domestic practice.

HENBANE (Hyoscyamus Niger).

Medicinal Parts. The leaves and seeds.

Description. — Henbane is a biennial plant. It has a long, thick, spin- dle-shaped, corrugated root, which is of a brown color externally, but

Helleborus Niger.

102 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

whitish internally. The stem sometimes reaches the height of twci feet, but often stops at an altitude of six inches. The leaves are large, oblong, acute, alternate, and of a pale, dull green color. They have long, glandular hairs upon the midrib. The flowers are funnel-shaped, of a dull yellow color, with purple veins and orifice. The seeds are many, small, obovate, and brownish.

History. — Henbane is original with Europe, but has been naturalized in America. It grows in waste grounds, and flowers from July to Sep- tember. The leaves and seeds are the parts medicinally used. The leaves are collected in the second year, when the plant is in flower ; the seeds are gathered when perfectly ripe. It grows more plentifully than elsewhere in America, in the waste grounds of old settlements, in grave- yards, and around the foundations of ruined houses. Bruise the recent leaves, and they emit a strong narcotic odor, like tobacco. Dry them, and they have little smell or taste. Their virtues are completely ex- tracted by diluted alcohol. The active principle of Henbane is called Hyosdamia^ but all the recognized preparations are now known by the general name of Ilyoscyamus.

Properties and Uses. — Henbane is a powerful narcotic, but, unless im- properly and injudiciously used, it is not "dangerously" poisonous, as we learn from King. All narcotics are ' ' dangerously " poisonous if dan- gerously administered. Nature grows wild her most potent medicinal herbs, and those which, if used by persons who understand them, are curative of the very worst afllictions of the human race, are also de- structive to a small extent if applied and administered by parties who have not thoroughly studied their properties. Medicinally used. Hen- bane is calmative, hypnotic, anodyne, and antispasmodic. It is much better than opium, as it does not produce constipation. It is always given, where opium does not agree, with the very best effects. I use it principally to cause sleep, and remove irregular nervous action. Com- bined with other preparations mentioned in many parts of this volume, it is most excellent for gout, rheumatism, asthma, chronic cough, neu- ralgia, irritations of the urinary organs, etc. The leaves make fine ex- ternal preparations for glandular swellings or ulcers, etc. I instruct my patients never to use it, under any circumstances, without the advice of a good herbal physician.

HOARHOUND (Marrubium Vulgare).

Medicinal Part. The herb.

Description. — This weU-known herb has a fibrous, perennial root and numerous annual, bushy stems, leafy, and branching from the bottom to one or two feet in height. The leaves are roundish-ovate, rough and veiny above, woolly on the under surface, one or two inches in diam- eter ; the flowers small and white.

THE COKIPLETE MERBALIST. 103

History. — Hoarhound is a native of Europe, but has been naturalized in the United States, where it is very common. It grows on dry, sandy fields, waste grounds, and road-sides, flowering from June to September. The entire plant has a white or hoary appearance ; the whole herb is medicinal, and should be gathered before its efliorescence. It has a peculiar, rather agreeable, vinous, balsamic odor, and a very bitter, aro- matic, somewhat acrid and persistent taste. Its virtues are imparted to alcohol or water.

Fraperties and Uses. — A stimulant, tonic, expectorant, and diuretic. It is used in the form of syrup, in coughs, colds, chronic catarrh, asthma, and all pulmonary affections. The warm infusion will produce perspiration and flow of urine, and is used with great benefit in jaun- dice, asthma, hoarseness, amenorrhoea, and hysteria. The cold infusion ia an excellent tonic in some forms of dyspepsia. It will expel worms and act as a purgative in large doses. It enters into the composition of several syrups and candies.

Dose.~Oi th.e powder, one drachm; of the infusion or syrup, from half to a teacupful

HOUND'S TONGUE (Cynoglossum Officinale).

Medicinal Parts. The leaves and root.

Description. — This biennial plant has an erect stem one or two feet high. The leaves are hoary, with soft down on both sides, acute, lan- ceolate, radical ones petiolate, cauline ones sessile, with cordate bases. The flowers are in clusters, calyx downy, coroUa reddish purple, and fruit a depressed achenium.

History. — Cynoglossum OflBcinale grows on the road-sides and waste places of both Europe and America. The leaves and the root are the parts used in medicine ; but the preference I give to the root. This, upon being gathered, emits an unpleasant and somewhat heavy odor, which vanishes when it is dried. Its taste is bitter and mawkish. The fresh root is spoken of by several herbalists as being better than the desiccated or dried, but this probably arises from the fact that the roots they used had not been gathered at the proper time, dried in the cor- rect way, or kept in a skilful manner. The dried root is quite as active as the fresh, if prepared by a person who knows its qualities.

Properties and Uses.— It is chiefly valuable for coughs, catarrhs, bleeding from the lungs, and other disorganizations of the respiratory apparatus. The leaves and root are both applied, with great benefit, us a poultice to old ulcers, scrofulous tumors, bums, goitre, and recent liurTiises and abrasions. In my several remedies the values of many bf the plants described at length in these pages are most thoroughly embraced. The object in giving such plants a descriptive space each is to enable the reader, in extraordinary emergencies, to be his own

104 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

physician until he can get a better one, and to show him that whul he treads on may, without his knowledge, contain the germs of his rejuvenation.

Cynoglossum Morrisoni, or Virginia Mouse-ear, Beggars' Lice, Dysentery Weed, etc., is an annual weed with an erect hairy, leafy stem, two to four feet high. Leaves three to four inches long, oblong, lanceolate ; flowers very small, white, or pale blue. It grows in rocky grounds and among rubbish. The whole plant has an unpleasant odor. The root is the medicinal part. It is very eflBlcacious in diarrhoea and dysentery. The root may be chewed or given in powder or infusion ad libitum.

HOPS (HUMULUS LUPULUS).

Medicinal Part. The strobiles or cones.

Description. — This well-known twining plant has a perennial root, with many annual angular stems. The leaves are opposite, deep green, serrated, venated, and very rough. The flowers are numerous and of a greenish color. Fruit a strobile.

History. — This plant is found in China, the Canary Islands, all parts of Europe, and in many places in the United States. It is largely culti- vated in England and the United States for its cones or strobiles, which are used medicinally, and in the manufacture of beer, ale, and porter. The odor of hops is peculiar and somewhat agreeable, their taste slightly astringent and exceedingly bitter. They yield their virtues to boiling water, but a better solvent than water is diluted alcohol. Lupiilin is the yellow powder procured by beating or rubbing the strobiles, and then siftiag out the grains, which form about one-seventh part of the Hops. Lupulin is in globose kidney -shaped grains, golden yellow and somewhat transparent, and preferable to the Hops itself. Lupulite is the bitter principle of Hops, and is obtained by making an aqueous solution of Lupulin.

Properties and Uses. — Hops are tonic, hypnotic, febrifuge, antilithic. and anthelmintic. They are principally used for their sedative or hyp- notic action — producing sleep, removing restlessness, and abating pain, but sometimes failing to do so. A pillow stuffed with Hops is a favorite way for obtaining sleep. The lupulin or its tincture is used in delirium tremens, nervous irritation, anxiety, exhaustion, and does not disorder the stomach, nor cause constipation, as with opium. It is also useful in after-pains, to prevent chordee, suppress venereal desires, etc. Exter- nally, in the form of a fomentation alone, or combined with Boneset or other bitter herbs, it has proved beneficial in pneumonia, pleurisy, gas- tritis, enteritis, and as an application to painful swelli:ig8 and tumors- An ointment, made by boiling two parts of Stramonium leaves and one of Hops in lard, is an excellent application in salt rheora, ulcers, and

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 105

paTRful tumors. It is a powerful antaphrodisiac, composing the genital organs, quieting painful erections in gonorrhoea, etc.

Dose. — Fluid extract, half a drachm to a drachm ; solid extract, five to twenty grains ; tincture (two and a hilf ounces of hops to one pint of alcohol), three to six drachms ; infusion (four drachms to one pint of hot water), a wineglass to a cupful of lAi2)uUn, the dose six to ten grains ; Unci, of Lupulin (two ounces of Lupulin to one pint of alcohol), one to two teaspoonfuls in sweetened water. Fifteen to twenty grains weU rubbed up with white sugar in a mortar is very efficacious in pria- pism, chordee, and spermatorrhoea.

HOUSE-LEEK (Sempervivum Tectorum).

Medicinal Part. The leaves.

Description. — House-leek has a fibrous root, with several tufts of ob- long, acute, extremely succulent leaves. The stem from the centre of these tufts is about a foot high, erect, round, and downy ; flowers large, pale rose-colored, and scentless. Offsets spreading.

History. — This perennial plant is a native of Europe, and is so succu- lent that it vnll grow on dry walls, roofs of houses, etc. It flowers va. August. It is much cultivated in some places. The leaves contain Buper-malate of lime.

Properties and Uses. — The fresh leaves are useful as a refrigerant when bruised, and applied as a poultice in erysipelatous affections, burns, stings of insects, and other inflammatory conditions of the skin. The leaves, sliced in two, and the inner surface applied to warts is a positive cure for them. It can be used for many skin diseases. The leaves also possess an astringent property, serviceable in many cases.

HYSSOP (Hyssopus Officinalis).

Medicinal Parts. TJie tops and leaves.

Description. — Hyssop is a perennial herb, with square stems, woody at the base, and a foot or two in height, with rod-like branches. The leaves are opposite, sessile, linear, and lanceolate, green on each side ; flowers, bluish-purple, seldom white ; stamens four.

History. — It is an inhabitant of Europe and this country, being raised principally in gardens, and flowers in July. The taste of the leaves is hot, spicy, and somewhat bitter, and yield their virtues to water and alcohol. They contain yellow oil and sulphur.

Properties and Uses. — Stimulant, aromatic, carminative, and tonic. Generally used in quinsy and other sore-throats, as a gargle with sage. As an expectorant it is beneficial ia asthma, coughs, etc. The leaves applied to bruises speedily relieve the pain and remove the discolora- tion.

5*

106 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST,

IBERIS AMAEA.

Common Name. Bitter Candy Tuft.

Medicinal Part. The seeds.

Descriptioji. — This plant has a herbaceous stem, about a foot in height, with acute, toothed leaves, and bright white flowers.

History. — The leaves, stem, root, and seeds are used ; the seeds espe- cially. The plant is an annual, carefully cultivated in Europe, but grows wild also. It flowers in June and July.

Properties and Uses. — The ancients employed it in gout, rheumatism, and diseases of a kindred nature. We use it, compounded with other herbal preparations, for such diseases in their worst forms, and we also use it by itself, in certain proportions, to allay excited action of the heart, particularly where the heart is enlarged. In asthma, brdnchitis, and dropsy it is now considered one of the most excellent ingredients of certain cures for those afflictions. The dose is from one to five grains of the powdered seeds.

ICELAND MOSS (Cetraria Islandica).

Medicinal Part. The plant.

Description and History. — Iceland Moss is a perennial, foliaceous plant from two to four inches high ; a native of Britain and the northern countries of Europe, particularly Iceland. It is diversified in its color, being brownish or grayish-white in some parts, and of a reddish hue in others. It is without odor, with a mucilaginous, bitter, somewhat astringent taste, and when dry the lichen is crisp, cartilaginous, and cori- aceous, and is convertible into a grayish-white powder. It swells up m water, absorbing more than its own weight of that fluid, and communica- ting a portion of its bitterness to it, as well as a little mucilage ; when long chewed it is converted into a mucilaginous pulp, and when boiled in water the decoction becomes a firm jelly on cooling.

Properties and Uses. — It is demulcent, tonic, and nutritious. Used as a demulcent in chronic catarrh, chronic dysentery, and diarrhoea, and as a tonic in dyspepsia, convalescence, and exhausting diseases. Boiled with milk it forms an excellent nutritive and tonic in phthisis and gen- eral debility. Its tonic virtues depend upon its cetrarin^ which, if re- moved, renders the lichen merely nutritious.

IRON WEED (Vernonia Fasciculata).

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — This is an indigenous, perennial, coarse, purplish-green weed, with a stem from three to ten feet high. The leaves are from four to eight inches long, one or two broad, lanceolate, tapering, to each end. Corolla showy, and dark purple.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 107

History . — This is a very common plant to tlie Western States, growing in woods and prairies, and along rivers and streams, flowering from July to September. The root is bitter, and imparts its virtues to water and alcohol.

Properties and Uses. — It is a bitter tonic, deobstruent, and alterative. In powder or decoction the root is beneficial in amenorrhoea, dysmenor- rhoea, leucorrhoea, and menorrhagia. It is useful in scrofula and some cutaneous diseases.

Dose. — Of the decoction, one or two fluid ounces ; of the tincture, one or two fluid drachms. The leaves or powdered root make an excellent discutient application to tumors.

IVY (American) (Ampelopsis Quinquefolla.).

Common Names. Woodbine^ Virginia Creeper^ Five Leaves, Fals$ Orape, Wild wood-vine.

Medicinal Parts. The hark and twigs.

Description. — This is a woody vine, with a creeping stem, digitate leaves ; leaflets acuminate, petiolate, dentate, and smooth ; flowers in- conspicuous, greenish, or white ; and the fruit a berry, acid, dark blue, and small.

History. — The American Ivy is a common, familiar, shrubby vine, climbing extensively, and, by means of its radiating tendrils, supporting itself firmly on trees, stone walls, churches, etc., and ascending to the height of from fifty to a hundred feet. The bark and the twigs are the parts usually used. Its taste is acrid and persistent, though not un- pleasant, and its decoction is mucilaginous. The bark should be col- lected after the berries have ripened. It is like the ivy of England and other countries.

Properties and Uses. — Alterative, tonic, astringent, and expectorant. It is used principally in form of syrup in scrofula, dropsy, bronchitis, and other pulmonary complaints. An old author affirms that there is a very great antipathy between wine and ivy, and therefore it is a remedy to preserve against drunkenness, and to relieve or cure intoxication by drinking a draught of wine in which a handful of bruised ivy leaves have been boiled.

Dose. — Of the decoction of syrup, from one to four tablespoonfuls, three times a day.

JALAP (Ipom(ea Jalapa).

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — Jalap has a fleshy, tuberous root, with numerous round- ish tubercles. It has several stems, which are smooth, brownish, slightly EGli^h, with a tendency to twine. The leaves are on long petioles, the

108

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

Jalap.

first hastate, succeeding ones cordate, acuminate, and mucronate. Tlie calyx has no bracts ; corolla funnel-shaped, purple, and long. Fruit a capsule.

History. — This plant grows in Mexico, at an elevation of nearly six thousand feet above the level of the sea, near Chicanquiaco and Xalapa, from which it is exported, and from which last-named place it also receives its name. It is generally imported in bags, containing one or two hundred pounds. The worm-eaten root is the most energetic, aa the active part is untouched by them. It is soluble in water and alcohol.

Properties and Uses. — Jalap is irritant and cathartic, operating energetically, and produces liquid stools. It is chiefly em- ployed when it is desired to produce an energetic influence on the bowels, or to obtain large evacuations. In intestinal in- flammations it should not be used. Dose. — Powder, ten grains.

JAMESTOWN WEED (Datura Stramonium).

Common Names. Thorn-Apple, Stinkweed., Apple-peru, etc.

Medicinal Parts. The leaves and seeds.

Description. — This plant is a bushy, smooth, fetid, annual plant, two or three feet in height, and in rich soil even more. The root is rather large, of a whitish color, giving off many fibres. The stem is much branched, forked, spreading, leafy, of a yellowish-green color. The leaves are large and smooth, from the forks of the stem, and are uneven at the base. The flowers are about three inches long, erect, large, and white. The fruit is a large, dry, prickly capsule, with four valves and numerous black renif orm seeds. There is the Datura Tatula, or pui-ple Stramonium, which differs from the above in having a deep purple stem, etc.

History. — Stramonium is a well-known poisonous weed, growing upon waste grounds and road-sides, in all parts of the United States. It is found in very many parts of the world. The whole plant has a fetid, narcotic odor, which diminishes as it dries. Almost every part of the plant is possessed of medicinal properties, but the officinal parts are the leaves and seeds. The leaves should be gathered when the flowers are lull-blown, and carefully dried in the shade. They impart their proper- ties to water, alcohol, and the fixed oils. The seeds are small, renif orm. compressed, roughish, dark brown or black when ripe, grayish -browi*

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 109

when unripe. They yield what is called Daiuria^ which may be obtained by exhausting- the bruised seeds with boiling rectified alcohol, and then proceeding as for the active principle of other seeds of a similar character.

Properties and Uses. — In large doses it is an energetic narcotic poison. The victims of this poison suffer the most intense agonies, and die in maniacal delirium. In medicinal doses it is an anodyne, antispasmodic, and is often used as a substitute for opium. It is used with fair effect m cases of mania, epilepsy, gastritis, delirium tremens, and enteritis ; also in neuralgia, rheumatism, and all periodic pains. The dried and smoked leaves are useful in spasmodic asthma, but as there are other means much more certain to cure, and less dangerous, I, and other her- balists, seldom or never recommend it Daturia is seldom employed in medicine, being a very active and powerful poison. I should advise my readers never to employ it, unless they be physicians ; but I deemed proper to give it a place in this work, as its medicinal qualities are quite important, if its use is intrusted to proper and educated persons.

JUNIPER (JuNiPERUs Communis).

Medicinal Part. The hernes.

Description. — This is a small evergreen shrub, never attaining the height of a tree, with many very close branches. The leaves are attached to the stem in threes. The fruit is fleshy, of dark-purplish color, ripening the second year from the flower.

History. — Juniper grows in dry woods and hills, and flowers in May. The American berries contain less virtue than those imported from Europe. The oil is contained in the spirituous liquor called HoUand gin. The berries yield their properties to hot water and alcohol.

Properties and Uses. — The berries and oil are stimulating, carmina- tive, and diuretic. It is especially useful in averting mucous discharges, especially from the urethra.

Doses — Of the berries, from one to two drachms ; of the oil, from four to twenty minims.

KINO (Pterocarpus Marsupium).

Medicinal Part. Concrete juice.

Description. — Kino is a leafy tree, with the outer coat of the bark brown, and the inner red, fibrooa, and astringent. Branches smooth, leaves alternate ; leaflets, from five to seven, alternate, elliptical, and rather emarginate ; flowers very numerous, white, with a tinge of yel- low ; fruit a legume on a long petiole.

Hiatary.—Khio is the juice of the tree, obtained by making longitu- dinal incisions in the bark. It flows freely, is of a red color, and by drying- it in the sun it cracks into irregular ai\gular masses. The frag-

110 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

ments are reddish, black, translucent, and ruby-red on the edges, in- odorous, and very astring-ent. When chewed it tinges the saliva blood- red. Alcohol dissolves about two-thirds of it. It is chiefly imported from Malabar. It inhabits the Circur mountains and forests of the Malabar coast.

Properties and Uses. — Employed in medicine as an energetic astrin- gent only, principally in obstinate chronic diarrhoea. It is also adminis- tered as an astringent in leucorrhoea and sanguineous exudations. As a topical remedy, it is applied to flabby ulcers, and used as a gargle, in^ jection, and wash.

Dose. — Of the powder, from ten to thirty grains.

KIDNEY LIVER-LEAF (Hepatica Americana).

Medicinal Part. The plant.

Description. — This is a perennial plant, the root of which consists of numerous strong fibres. The leaves are all radical, on long, hairy pe- tioles, smooth, evergreen, cordate at base, the new ones appearing later than the flowers. The flowers appear almost as soon as the snow leaves the ground in the spring. Fruit an ovate achenium.

Hepatica Acutaloba, or Heart Liver-leaf^ which possesses the same medicinal qualities, differs from the above in having the leaves with three ovate, pointed lobes, or sometimes five-lobed. They both bear white, blue, or purplish flowers, which appear late in March or early in April.

History. — These plants are common to the United States, growing in woods and upon elevated situations — the former, which is the most com- mon, being found on sides of hills, exposed to the north, and the latter on the southern aspect. The plants yield their virtues to water.

Properties and Uses. — It is a mild, mucilaginous astringent, and is freely used in infusion, in fevers, digpeases of the liver ; and for bleed- ing from the lungs, coughs, etc., it is a most valuable curative.

Dose. — Infusion taken ad libitum.

KOUSSO (Brayera Anthelmintic a).

Medicinal Part. The leaves.

Description. — This is a tree, growing about twenty feet high, with round rusty branches. The leaves are crowded, alternate ; leaflets oblong, acute, and serrate ; flowers small, greenish, and becoming pur- ple ; the fruit so far unknown.

Histm^y. — This tree grows upon the table-lands of Northeastern Abys- sinia, at an elevation of several thousand feet. The flowers are the parts used. They are gathered when in fuU bloom, and are used in their fresh state, but are equally valuable when properly dried. After drying they are powdered, and in this form they are mixed with warm

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

Ill

Kousso.

water and administered. The value of this medicine has been known for a long time, having been introduced in the French practice over forty years ago. It is quite difficult to procure even the adulterated or spurious ar- ticle in America or England ; the genuine is not to be ob- tained at any price in the drug-stores. In the stores, however, can be obtained, at great cost, an active resinous principle, extracted from the flowers, and sometimes the unripe fruit, to which the names of Tcerdin and Kous- sin have been given. The dose of this is set down at twenty grains.

Properties and Uses. — In large doses it will produce heat of the stomach, nausea, and sometimes vomiting, and occasionally wiU act

powerfully on the bowels ; but this is only when injudiciously taken. Its chief property is developed in the destruction and expulsion of worms, especially the tape-worm. It is the surest of all remedies for that dis- tressing affliction, when compounded with other ingredients which I have mentioned elsewhere. Taken in the proper dose, it seems to have no general effect, but operates wholly and solely upon the worms. The dose of the powdered flowers in infusion is half an ounce to half a pint of warm water. It must be reduced for children. If the medicine does not operate in four hours, use castor-oil. It is one of the ingredients of my Male Fern Vermifuge. (See page 474.)

LADIES' SLIPPER (Cypripedium Pubescens).

Common Names. American Valerian, Umbel, Nerve-root, Ydhw- Moccasin flower, NoaKs Ark.

Medicinal Part. The root

Description.— This indigenous plant has a perennial, fibrous, fleshy root, from which arise several round leafy stems, from twelve to eighteen inches high. The leaves are from three to six inches long, by two or three broad, oblong, lanceolate, acuminate, pubescent, alternate, gene- rally the same number on each side. Flowers large and very showy- and pale yellow.

112 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

History. — This plant grows here in rich woods and meadows, and flowers in May and June. There are several varieties of it, but as they all possess the same medicinal properties, a description of each is not requisite or desirable.

rroperties and Uses. — The fibrous roots are the parts used in medi' cine, and they should be gathered and carefully cleansed in August oi September. The properties and uses are various. The preparations made from these roots are tonic and stimulant, diaphoretic, and anti- Bpasmodic, and are considered to be unequalled in remedying hysteria, chorea, nervous headache, and all cases of nervous irritability. Carefully prepared with special reference to the case, it has proved to be a valuable remedy in cases of epilepsy ; the preparation has however to be skillfully compounded. It is also used for delirium, neuralgia, hypochondria and other nervous disorders ; the form of the preparation is an alcoholic ex- tract. It is specially beneficial in cases of nervous headache, when ad- ministered with other remedies, as Cypripedium Pubescens, Nepeta, Ca- taria, &c.; taking the infusion about every half-hour, till the pain ceases.

Dose. — From ten to twenty grains ; tincture, from one to three fluid drachms ; infusion, from one to four fluid ounces. When made into powder, one drachm in warm water is a dose, and may be repeated, in season, as often as may be required.

* LARCH (Abies Larix).

Medicinal Part. Resinous exudation.

Description.— JjSirch. is a very lofty and graceful tree, with wide- spreading branches. The buds are alternate, perennial, cup-shaped, scaly, producing annually a pencil-like tuft. Male flowers drooping, about half an inch long, yellow ; female flowers erect, larger than the male flowers, and variegated with green and pink ; cones erect, ovate, about an inch long, purple when young, reddish-brown when ripe.

History. — The Larch grows in the mountainous regions of Europe, and yields the article of use and commerce known as Venice turpentine. The bark contains a large amount of tannic acid.

Properties and Uses. — The medicinal properties are those known to be confined to turpentine.

LARGE FLOWERING SPURGE (Euphorbia Corollata).

Common Names. Blooming Spurge., Milk-weed., Bowman's Eoot^ etc.

Medicinal Part. The bark of the root.

Description. — This is a perennial plant with a round, slender, erecf; stem, one or two feet high, with a yellowish, large, and branching root. The leaves are scattered, sessile, oblong-obovate, smooth in some plants^

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. ll*

very hairy in others, and from one to two inches in length. Flowers white and showy, and fruit a three-celled capsule.

History. — This plant grows plentifully in Canada and the United States, in dry fields and woods, and flowers from Jime to September. The bark of the root is the part used. The plant is readily detected by a milky fluid which exudes from the stem, when that is broken. This fluid, if applied to warts or wens, is of great benefit, in most cases ban- ishing the offensive excrescences.

Properties and Uses. — It is emetic, diaphoretic, expectorant, andepis- pastic. As an emetic the powdered bark of the root (say from fifteen to twenty graias) is mild, pleasant, and efiicacious.

Dose. — As an expectorant it is administered three grains at a time, mixed with honey, molasses, or sugar ; as a cathartic, from four to ten grains are required. It is regarded, in doses of fifteen or twenty grains, as one of the very best remedies ever discovered for the dropsy. It has cured hydrothorax and ascites when all other means have failed.

LARKSPUR (DELPHmuM Consolida).

Medicinal Parts. The root and seeds.

Description. — Larkspur is an annual herb, with a simple slender root, a leafy stem, from a foot and a half to two feet high, with alternate spreading branches. The leaves are sessile ; flowers bright blue and purple.

Delphinum Staphisagria, or Stavesacre, which possesses the same properties as Larkspur, but to a greater degree, is an elegant upright herb, about the same height as Larkspur. Leaves broad, palmate, and petioled. riov\'ers bluish-gray. Fruit a capsule.

History. — Larkspur is a native of Europe, but has become naturalized in the United States, growing in woods and fields. Stavesaere is native to Europe, growing in waste places.

Properties and Uses. — In medicinal doses emetic, cathartic, and nar- cotic. It has also vermifuge properties. The whole plant contains an acid principle which is sure death to all kinds of domestic vermin. The flowers and leaves were extensively used in the United States army during the rebellion, to kill lice, and it is pretty well authenticated that the same substance forms the basis of the many preparations offered for the destruction of all noxious insects whose room is better than their company. The flowers are emmenagogue, diuretic, and vermifuge. A tincture of the seeds, it is said, will cure asthma and dropsy. Also p. specific for cholera morbus.

Dose. — Two ounces of the seed added to one quart of diluted alcohol makes the tincture, of which ten drops may be given three times a day. This, however, should be used only in extreme cases.

114 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

LAVENDER (Lavandula Vera and Lavandula Spica).

Medicinal Part. The flowers.

Description. — Lavandula Vera is a small shrub from one to two feet high, but sometimes attaining six feet. The leaves are oblong-linear or lanceolate, entire, opposite, and sessile. The flowers are of lilac color, small and in whorls.

Lavandula Spica is more dwarfish and more hoary than the last. Leaves oblong-lanceolate. This plant is not used in medicine, but fur- nishes the oil of spike., much used in the preparation of artistical var- nishes and by porcelain painters. -

//w^cry.— Lavandula Vera grows in the dry soils of Southern Europe, and flowers in July and August. It is largely cultivated in this country. The whole plant is aromatic, but the flowers are the parts used, and should be gathered shortly after their appearance, and carefully dried. The disease to which this plant is subject can only be prevented by not allowing them to grow too closely together.

Properties and Uses. —It is a tonic, stimulant, and carminative, useful mostly in diseases of the nervous system.

LEVER-WOOD (Astrya Virginica).

Common Names. Iron-wood., Hop-hornheam. . Medicinal Part. The inner wood.

Description. — This small tree of from twenty-five to thirty feet in height is remarkable for its fine, narrow, brownish bark. The wood is white, hard, and strong ; leaves oblong-ovate, acuminate, serrate, and somewhat dowTiy. Flowers, fertile and sterile, green, and appear with the leaves.

History. — The inner wood and bark are the parts in which reside the curative virtues, and the latter, which are immense, readily yield to water. The tree flowers in April and May, and is common to the Uni- ted States. The bark and wood should be gathered in August or Sep- tember.

Properties and Uses. — Lever-wood is anti -periodic, tonic, and altera- tive. It is very good in v.ases of intermittent fever, neuralgia, nervous debility, scrofula, and dyspepsia. It is sometimes administered, with fair success, as a remedy for fever and ague.

Dose. — Decoction, one or two fluid ounces, three or four times a day.

LIFE-ROOT (Senecio Aureus).

Common Names. Spiaw-weed, Ragwort., False Valerian, Oolden Senecio., and Female Regidator. Medicinal Parts. The root and herb. Description. — Life-root has an erect, smoothish stem, one or two feet

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 115

high. Radical leaves are simple and rounded, mostly cordate and long petioled, lower cauline leaves lyrate, upper ones few, dentate and Ressile. Flowers golden-yellow.

History. — The plant is perennial and indigenous, growing on low marshy grounds, and on the banks of creeks. The northern and west- em parts of Europe are where it is mostly found, and the flowers culmi- nate in May and June. The root and herb are the parts employed for medical purposes. There are several varieties of this plant, but as all possess the same medicinal properties, it is unnecessary to specify them. The whole herb is used of all the varieties.

Properties and Uses. — It is diuretic, pectoral, diaphoretic, and tonic, and exerts a very powerful and peculiar influence upon the reproductive organs of females. This has given it the name of Female Regulator. Combined with the Lily, and other native and foreign plants, it is one of the most certain cures in the world for aggravated cases of leucor- rhoea ; also in cases of menstrual suppression. It wiU operate excellently in gravel, and other urinary affections.

Dose. — Ordinary decoction, four ounces.

LILY (Meadow) (Lilium Candidxjm).

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — The thick stem of this plant is from three to four feet high, and arises from a perennial bulb or root. Leaves scattered, lan- ceolate, and narrowed at the base. Flowers are large, snow-white, and smooth inside.

History. — The Meadow Lily is an exotic. It is a native of Syria and Asia Minor. The flowers are regarded as being very beautiful, but are not used for medical purposes. The plant is principally cultivated for the flowers. The bulb is the part used for its curative properties. Water extracts its virtues.

Froijerties and Uses. — It is mucilaginous, demulcent, tonic, and astringent. It is chosen by some of our best botanical practitioners as a certain remedy for leucorrhoea and falling of the womb, and for those affections, when combined with Life-Root and other herbal preparations, is without an equal. Sometimes the recent root is used to advantage in dropsy. Boiled in milk, it is also useful for ulcers, inflammations, fever-sores, etc. I use it in combination with other indicated plants as an injection in leucorrhoea, with very gratifying success.

LION'S FOOT (NabulusAlbus).

Common Names. White Lettuce., Rattle-snake Root.

Medicinal Part. The plant.

Description. — This indigenous perennial herb has a smooth stem, stout

116

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

and purplish, from two to four feet high. Radical leaves angxilax- hastate, cavdine ones lanceolate, and all irregularly dentate.

History. — This plant grows plentifully in moist woods and in rich soils, from New England to Iowa, and from Canada to Carolina. The root, leaves, and juice of the plant 'are employed.

Properties and Uses. — A decoction of the root taken internally will operate most favorably in cases of dysentery. The milky juice of the plant is taken internally, while the leaves, steeped in water, are applied as a poultice (and frequently changed) for the bite of a serpent.

LOBELIA (Lobelia Inflata). Common Names. Indian Tohacco., Wild Tobacco. Medicinal Parts. The leaves and seeds.

Description. — Lobelia is an annual or biennial indigenous plant, with a fibrous root, and an erect, angular, very hairy stem, from six inches to three feet in height. The leaves are alternate, ovate-lanceolate, serrate, veiny, and hairy ; flow- ers small, numerous, pale-blue ; fruit a two-ceUed ovoid capsule, containing numerous small brown seeds.

History. — Lobelia flowers from July to Novem- ber, and grows in nearly all parts of the United States, in fields, woods, and meadows. The whole plant is active, and the stalks are used indisorimi- nately with the leaves by those who are best ac- quainted with its properties. The root is sup- posed to be more energetic, medicinally, than any other part of the plant. The proper time for gathering is from the last of July to the middle of October. The plant should be dried in the shade, and then be preserved in packages or cov- ered vessels, more especially if it be reduced to powder. It was used in domestic practice by the people of New England long before the time of Samuel Thompson, its assumed discoverer.

Properties and Uses. — Administered internally it is emetic, nauseant, expectorant, relaxant, sedative, anti-spasmodic, and secondarily cathar- tic, diaphoretic, and astringent. It is extensively used to subdue spasms, and will give relief in epilepsy, tetanus, cramps, hysteria, cho- rea, and convulsions ; but it is merely a temporary relief when admin- istered internally, and if not used with great skill and caution in that way, may do as much harm as good. Applied externally, in the form of an ointment, combined with healing and soothing barks and roots, it is decidedly the best counter-irritant known to mankind. In this shape

Lobelia.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 117

its equal lias never been discovered, and probably never will be. This is one of the ingredients of tbe "Herbal Ointment," a full description of wMch will be found on page 473 of this work. There are any num- ber of ofl&cinal preparations of Lobelia, but it is the opinion of the au- thor that its chief value consists in being- made into an ointment, with other rare and potent ingredients. There is nothing ia nature that can favorably compare with it in this form. In other shapes it may be use- ful ; but it is also dangerous unless given with care.

LOUSEWORT (Gerardia Pedicularia).

Common Names. Fever-weed^ American Foxglove^ etc.

Medicinal Part. The herb.

Description. — The stem of this plant is bushy, tall, two or three feet in height. The leaves are numerous, opposite, ovate-lanceolate ; flow- ers large, yeUow, and trumpet-shaped ; calyx five-cleft, corolla yellow, and fruit a two-ceUed capsule.

History. — This most elegant plant grows in dry copses, pine ridges, and barren woods and mountains, from Canada to Georgia, flower- iag in August and September. Water or alcohol extracts its virtues.

Properties aud Uses. — It is diaphoretic, antiseptic, and sedative. Used principally in febrile and inflammatory diseases ; a warm infusion produces a free and copious perspiration in a short time. Very valuable in ephemeral fever.

Dose. — Of the infusion, from one to three fluid ounces.

LUNGWORT (PULMONARIA OFFICn^ALIS).

Medicinal Part. The leaves.

Description. — This rough plant has a stem about one foot high. The radical leaves ovate, cordate ; cauliae one, ovate and sessile. Flowers, blue ; calyx, five-angled ; coroUa, fimnel-shaped ; stigma, emargiaate ; and the fruit a roundish, obtuse achenium. (See Illustration, page 16.)

History. — Lungwort is a herbaceous perennial, growing in Europe and this country ia northern latitudes. In Europe it is a rough-leaved plant, but in this country the entire plant is smooth, which exhibits the peculiar climatic influence. It is showy, and freely cultivated. It flowers in May. The leaves are used for medical purposes. They are without any particular odor. Water extracts their properties.

Properties and Uses. — It is demulcent and mucilaginous, and in de- coction very useful in bleediag from the lungs, and bronchial and catar- rhal affections, and other disorders of the respiratory organs. Its virtues seem to be entirely expended upon the lungs, and it is certainly an effica- cious remedial agent for all morbid conditions of those organs. It ia an ingredient in the " Acacian Balsam," see page 469.

118 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

MADDER (RuBiA Tinctorum).

Medicinal Part, The root.

Bescription. — This plant has a perennial, long-, cylindrical root, about the thickness of a quill, and deep reddish-brown. It has several herba- ceous, brittle stems. The leaves are from four to six in a whorl, lanceo- late, mucronate, two or three inches long, and about one-third as wide. Flowers small and yellow.

History. — Madder is a native of the Mediterranean and Southern European coimtries. The drug is chiefly imported from Holland and France. The root is collected in the third year of the plant, when it is freed from its outer covering and dried. It is valued as a dye-stufE for its red and purple.

Properties and Uses. — It is sometimes used to promote the menstrual and urinary discharges, but is not in very great favor. Combined in a preparation with other ingredients, it is of some considerable remedial value.

Dose. — Thirty grains, three or four times a day. If used frequently, it wiU color the bones red.

MAD-DOG WEED (Alisma Plantago).

Common Name. Water Plantain.

Medicinal Part. The leaves.

Description.— This perennial herb has all radical, oval, oblong, or lanceolate leaves, from four to six inches in length, on long radical petioles. The flowers are small and white, and the fruit a three-cor- nered achenium.

History. — It inhabits the North American continent as well as Europe, grows in watery places, and flowers in July.

Properties and Uses. — It was once considered a capital remedy for hydrophobia, hence its name ; but experience has demonstrated that aa a cure for this horrible infliction it is impotent. In urinary diseases and affections, an infusion of the leaves, which must be dried and pow- dered, is very efficacious.

Dose. — Of the infusion above mentioned, from four to six fluid ounces, three or four times a day. The fresh leaves, when bruised, form a very good but mild counter-irritant

MAIDENHAIR (Adiantum Pedatum).

Medicinal Part. The herb.

Description. — This is a most delicate and graceful fern, growing from twelve to fifteen inches high, with a slender, polished stalk. Frond pedate, with pinnate branches.

History. — Maidenhair is perennial, and grows throughout the United

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 119

States in deep -^oods, on moist, rich soil. The leaves are bitterish and somewhat aromatic, and part with theix virtues upon being immersed in boiLing- water.

Properties and Uses. — It is refrigerant, expectorant, tonic, and sub- 9vStringent. A decoction of the plant is most gratefully cooling in febrile diseases, and it is a great benefit in coughs, catarrh, hoarseness, influenza, asthma, pleurisy, etc. The decoction, or syrup, can be used freely.

IVIAGNOLIA (Magnolia Glauca).

Common Names. White Ba2/, Beaver-tree, Sweet Magnolia, Swamp Sassafras, etc.

Medicinal Part. The bark.

Description. — This tree varies in height from six to thirty feet, being taller in the South than in the North. The leaves are alternate, petioled, entire, and of elliptical shape. The flowers are large and solitary, and of grateful odor. The fruit is a cone.

History. — The therapeutical virtues of these trees are found in the bark and fruit. The bark of both the trunk and the root is employed. The odor is aromatic, and the taste bitterish, warm, and pungent. Jt is gathered during the spring and summer. It has smooth and ash-colored bark, elegant, odoriferous, cream-colored flowers, and can be found in morasses from Massachusetts to the Gtdf of Me:pco. It flowers from May to August. There are other varieties which do not require especial mention or description.

Properties and Uses. — The bark is an aromatic, tonic bitter, and is also anti-periodic. It is used much in the stead of cinchona, and will remedy the intermittent fevers when cinchona has failed. It is used frequently as a substitute for Peruvian Bark, as it can be continued for a longer time and with more safety. Properly prepared it may be used as a substitute for tobacco, and will break the habit of tobacco-chewing.

Dose. — In powder, half -drachm or drachm doses, five or six times a day. The infusion is taken in wirieglassful doses, five or six times a day. The tincture, made by adding two ounces of the cones to a pint of brandy, will be found beneficial in dyspepsia and chronic rheumatism.

MATiTiOW (Common) (JMalva Sylvestris).

Common Name. High-mallow.

Medicinal Part. The Herb.

Description. — This plant is a perennial, and has a roimd stem two or three feet high, and a tapering, branching, whitish root. The leaves are alternate, deep green, soft, and downy. The flowers are large, numerous, and of purple color ; calyx five-cleft ; petals five ; stamens indefinite ; pollen large, whitish.

History. — The mallow is a native of Europe, but is naturalized in this

120

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

country. It grows abundantly in fields, waysides, and waste places, and flowers from May to October. The whole plant, especially the root, abounds in mucilage.

Pr(yperti€S and Uses. — It possesses the properties common to mucila- ginous herbs, and an infusion thereof forms an excellent demulcent in coughs, irritations of the air-passages, flux, affections of the kidney and bladder, etc. In inflammatory conditions of the external parts, the bruised herb forms an excellent application, making, as it does, a natural emollient cataplasm.

IMalva Rotundifolia, or Low-maUow, called by children, who are fond of eating the fruit, cheeses, possesses similar qualities.

MAjSTDEAKE (Podophyllum Peltatum).

CoiviMON Names. May-Apple, Wild Lemon, Raccoon-berry, Wild Mandrake. IVIedicinal Part. The root.

Description. —This plant, which is illustrated by a cut, is an indigenoua perennial herb, with a jointed, dark-bro-wn root, about half the size of

the finger, very fibrous, and internally yellow. The stem is simple, round, smooth, erect, about a foot high, di- viding at the top into two petioles, from three to six inches long, each supporting a leaf. The leaves are large, palmate, oftener cordate, smooth, yel- lowish-green on top, paler beneath. The flower is solitary in the fork of the stem, large, white, and somewhat fragrant. The fnlit is fleshy, of a lemon color, and in flavor resembles the strawberry.

There is another plant called man- drake, but which is the Atropa Man- dragora, a plant belonging to the night-shade lamily. The cut I give of this plant is quite truthful. It is not used in medicine. It inhabits the shores of the Mediterranean, and found lurking in dark woods, in the gloomy thickets on the banks of sluggish rivers. It is fetid, poisonous, and repulsive. Even its golden fruit has this nauseous odor. How, then, came it ever to usurp its dominion over men ? Its strong narcotic powers may have had some influence ; but the peculiar form of its root, in which the resemblance of the human

Mandrake.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

121

shape, as will be observed, is quite apparent, probably led to its use in magic.

In popular belief, it became invested with half -human attributes ; and cries and groans attested its paia when torn from the ground. Gathered with peculiar rites under ^e shadow of a gallows, it caused money to multiply, but death overtook the daring searcher for mandrake who committed an error ia the ritual. There is nothing new under the sun, and as no small number of the old- fcime magical effects are renewed under new names, our book may reach some spot where the man- drake has been brought forward by some new schemer, and play its part in deluding the silly.

History. — The Mandrake is found throughout the United States, in low, shady situations, rich woods, and fields, and flow- ers in May and Jvme. The fruit matures in September and Octo- ber. It is scarcer in New England than elsewhere. The Indians were well acquainted with the virtues of this plant. The proper time for collecting the root is in the latter part of October or early part of November, soon after the fruit has ripened. Its active principle is Podophyllin, which acts upon the liver in the same manner, but far superior to mercury, and with intelligent physicians it has dethroned that noxious mineral as a cholagogue.

Properties and Uses. — Mandrake is cathartic, emetic, alterative, an- thelmintic, hydragogue, and sialagogue. It is an active and certain cathartic. As a deobstruent it has no superior, acting through and upon all the tissues of the system, and its action continues for a long time. In bilious and typhoid febrile diseases it is very valuable as an emeto- cathartic, break ng up the disease quickly. In chronic liver diseases "it has no equal in the whole range of medicine. It can also be used as an alterative. In constipation it acts upon the bowels without disposing them to subsequent costiveness. It is also very beneficial in uterine diseases, and its ofiice as a great remedy is extensive. It is one of the ingredients of my "Renovating Pill." See page 4<2.

Dose. — Of the powdered root, as a cathartic, from ten to thirty grains ; of the tincture, from ten to forty drops. 6

Atropa Mandragora.

122

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

MATICO (Piper Angustifolium).

Medicinal Part. The leaves.

DescHp'tion. — This is a tall shrub, presenting a singular appearance from its pointed stem and branches. The leaves are harsh, short- stalked, oblong-lanceolate, and acuminate. Flowers her- maphrodite.

History. — This plant grows at Huanaco and elsewhere in Peru. The dried leaves are the parts used, and have a strong fragrant odor, and a warm, aromatic taste. They contain a dark-green resin, chlorophyll, brown and yellow coloring matter, gum, nitrate of potassa, matidne., a vola- tile oil, salts, and lignin. The plant has long been used by the Indians of Peru in venereal diseases, but mostly for diseases of the mucous membranes, over which it has a complete mastery. Having been employed as a me- chanical agei-t to stanch blood by a soldier, it has received the name of ISddiers' Herb.

Praperties arui Uses. — Matico is an aromatic stimulant. It is extremely useful to arrest discharges from mucous surfaces, leucorrhoea, gonorrhoea, and catarrh of the blad- der. In this particular it is a very good substitute for Cubebs in the two last named diseases. As a topical agent for stanching blood it is excellent, and is used by surgeons to arrest venous hemorrhage. It acts mechanically as a styptic by the structure of its leaf which divides the blood and promotes its coagulation. Its use for this purpose is of course confined to arresting venous hemorrhage, only; from fresh cuts, wounds, abrasions, &c., and it is much more valuable for this purpose than is generally supposed. Dr. Ruschenberger made use of it in this way to arrest hemorrhage, after an operation on the side of the neck, below the angle of the jaw, in which there was considerable diffi- /:;ulty in talking up the divided vessels, owing to induration of the parts from chronic inflammation, and with complete success. Its most useful internal application is probably as an alterative stimulant to diseased mucous membranes.

Matico Leaf.

MECHAMECK (Convolvulus Panduratus).

Common Names. Wild Jalap)., Man-in-tJie-EartJi., Man-in-the- Ground, Wild Potato.

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — This has a perennial, very large tapering root, from which arise several long, round, slender, purplish stems, from four to eight feet high. The leaves are cordate at base, alternate, and acumi-

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 123

nate, and about two or three inches long. Flowers large and white, opening in the forenoon ; fruit an oblong, two-celled capsule.

History. — Mechameck belongs to the United States, and grows in light, sandy soils. It flowers from June to August, but is rarely found in northern latitudes. The root is the officinal part. Its best solvent is alcohol or spirits. Water ^vill extract its active properties.

Properties and Uses. — It is a cathartic if powdered and taken in doses of from forty to sixty grains. The infusion, taken in wineglassful dose? every hour, is useful in dropsy, strangury, and calculous affections. It 8eems to exert an influence over the lungs, liver, and kidneys, without excessive diuresis or catharsis. The milky juice of the root is said tc" ue a protection agaiast the bite of the rattlesnake.

]\IEADOW SAFFROX (CoLcnicuM Autumnale).

Medicinal Parts, The cormus and seeds.

Description. — The cormus of this plant is large, ovate, and fleshy. The leaves are dark-green, very smooth, obtuse, above a foot long, an inch and a half broad, keeled, produced in the spring along -v^dth the capsules. Flowers several, bright-purple, Avith a white tube appearing in the autumn ^N-ithout the leaves. Fruit a capsule, seeds whitish and polished.

History. — It grows in meadows and low, rich soils in many parts of Europe, and is common in England. The plant is annual or perennial, according to the manner in which it is propagated. The root resem- bles that of the tulip, and contains a white acrid juice. The bulb should be gathered about the beginning of July, and the seeds early in August. Colchicia is the active principle.

Properties and Uses. — It is sedative, cathartic, diuretic, and emetic. Used in gout and gouty rheumatism, dropsy, palpitation of the heart ; care should be used in its employment. The tincture is the best form of administration, of which the dose is from twenty to sixty drops.

MONKSHOOD (Aconitum Napellus).

Common Name. Wolfs-hane.

Medicinal Parts. Leaves and root.

Description. — This plant has a small napiform root, and simple, straight, erect stems, about five feet high. The leaves are alternate, petioled, dark-green above, paler beneath. The flowers are large, deep bluish-purple, sometimes white, and hairy ; fruit a capsule.

History. — This perennial herb is a native of most parts of Europe, growing in wooded hills and plains,- and is much cultivated in gardens. It flowers in May and June. All parts of the plant contain powerfully poisonous properties ; but the root is the part most generally employed for medical purposes. It yields Aconitinn.

124 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

Properties and Uses. — Although Aconite in the hands of the intelli- gent physician is of great service, it should not be used in domestic practice. In improper doses all preparations of aconite act as an energetic acro-narcotic poison. As a sedative and anodyne, it is useful in all febrile and inflammatory diseases, and, indeed, in all affections in which there is an increase of nervous, vascular, or muscular action. In acute rheumatism, pneumonia, peritonitis, gastritis, and many other acute disorders, it has been used with the most decided advantage. Its action is more especially displayed in the highest grades of fever and inflammation.

JDose. — The best preparation is the alcoholic extract, formed by evapo- rating a tincture made of a pound of aconite and a quart of alcohol. The dose of this is one-eighth of a grain.

MOSS (Corsica^), (Fucus HELMmTnicoRTON).

Medicinal Part. The wTiole plant

Description. — This marine plant has a cartilaginous, tufted, entangled frond, with branches marked indistinctly with transverse streaks. The lower part is dirty -yellow, the branches more or less purple.

History. — It is found growing on the Mediterranean coast, and es- pecially on the Island of Corsica. It is cartilaginous in consistence, is of a dull and reddish-brown color, has a bitter, salt, and nauseous taste, but its odor is rather pleasant. • Water dissolves its active principles.

Properties and Uses. — It is an excellent anthelmintic. The influence it exercises upon the economy is entirely inappreciable, but it acts very powerfully on intestinal worms. Dr. Johnson says : "It destroys any worms domiciliating in the bowels as effectually as choke-damps would destroy the life of a miner." This excellent vermifuge plant is one of the ingredients of my Male Fern Vermifuge, see page 469.

Dose. — From ten to sixty grains, mixed with molasses or syrup, or in infusion.

The Fucus" Vesiculosis, Sea-wrack, or Bladder Fucus, possesses an- alogous properties.

MOTHERWORT (Leonurus Cardiaca).

Medicinal Parts. The tops and leaves.

Description. — This perennial plant has stems from two to five feet in height. The leaves are opposite, dark-green, rough, and downy. The flowers are purplish or whitish-red ; calyx, rigid and bristly ; corolla, purplish ; anthers in pairs, and fruit an oblong achenium.

History. — Motherwort is an exotic plant, but extensively introduced into the United States, growing in fields and pastures, and flowering from May to September. It has a peculiar, aromatic, not disagreeable

THE COMPLETE HEPBALIST. 125

i<<lor, and a slig-htly aromatic bitter taste. It yields its properties to watier and alcohol.

Properties and Uses. — It is antispasmodic, emmenagogue, nervine, and laxative. In amenorrhoea from colds it is excellent, if given in warm infusion. It is very useful in hysteria, nervous complaints, pains pecu- liar to females, delirium tremens, wakefulness, liver affections, etc. , etc. It is a very valuable remedy for many purposes, and deserves greater attention than it receives.

Dose. — Decoction, two to four ounces ; extract, three to six grains.

liniLLEIN (Yerbascum Thapsus).

Medicinal Parts. The leaves and flowers.

Description. — This biennial plant has a straight, tall, stout, woolly, simple stem. The leaves are alternate, oblong, acute, and rough on both sides. The flowers are of a golden-yellow color ; calyx, five-parted ; coroUa, five-lobed ; stamens, five ; and fruit, a capsule or pod.

History. — Mullein is common in the United States, but was undoubt- edly introduced from Europe. It grows in recent clearings, slovenly fields, and along the side of roads, flowering from June to August. The leaves ana the flowers are the parts used. They have a faint, rather pleasant odor, and a somewhat bitterish, albuminous taste, and yield their virtues to boiling water.

Properties and Uses. — It is demulcent, diuretic, anodyne, and anti- ;«pasmodic, the mfusion being useful in coughs, catarrh, bleeding from Ae mouth or lungs, diarrhoea, dysentery, and piles. It may be boiled in mOk, sweetened, and rendered more palatable by aromatics, for internal use, especially Dowel complaints. A fomentation of the leaves in hot vinegar and water forms an excellent local application for inflamed piles, ulcers, and tumors, mumps, acute inflammation of the tonsils, malignant sore tnroat, etc. A handful of them may be also placed in an old teapot, with hot water, and the steam be inhaled through the spout, in the same complaints.

MYRRH (Balsamodendron Myrrha).

Medicinal Part. The resinous exudation.

Description. — This plant has a shrubby, arborescent stem, spinescent branches, a very pale gray bark, and yellowish-white wood. The leaves are temate, on short petioles ; leaflets, obovate ; flowers, unkno^vn.

History. — The Myrrh-tree grows in Arabia, and in the regions between Abyssinia and the Red Sea. The juice flows naturally, like cherry-tree gum, upon the bark. At first it is soft and pale yellow, but by drying becomes hard, darker and redder, and forms the medicinal Qum Myrrh It is readily powdered, and has a peculiar, agreeable, balsamic odor, and a bitter, aromatic, not unpleasant taste.

126 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

Properties and Uses. — It is a stimulant of the mucous tissues, and used to promote expectoration, as well as menstruation ; and is highly useful in enfeebled conditions of the body, excessive mucous secretion, chronic catarrh, leucorrhoea, etc. Also in laryngitis, bronchitis, humoral asthma, and other diseases of the air-tubes, accompanied with profuse secretion, but expeUed with difficulty. It is valuable in suppressed menses and cases of anaemia ; also as a local application to indolent sores, gangrenous ulcers, aphthous or sloughy sore throat, spongy and ulcerated condition of the gum, caries of the teeth, etc.

Dose. — In powder and pill, ten to thirty grains ; of the tincture, from half to two teaspoonfuls.

NARROW LEAF VIRGINIA THYME (Pycanthemum Virginicum).

Common Name. Prairie Hyssop.

Medicinal Part. The plant.

Description. — This pubescent plant has a simple stem, grovnng from one to two feet high. The leaves are sessile, entire, and linear ; flow- ers are white, and fruit an achenium.

History. — It is found in low grounds, dry hills, and plains, from Ohio and Illinois extending southward, and flowering in July and August. The whole plant is used, and has the taste and odor peculiar to the mint family.

Properties and Uses. — It is diaphoretic, stimulant, antispasmodic, carminative, and tonic. A warm infusion is very useful in puerperal, remittent, and other forms of fever, coughs, colds, catarrhs, etc. , and is also of much benefit in spasmodic diseases, especially colic, cramp of the stomach, and spasms of infants. The cold infusion is a good tonic and stimulant during convalescence from exhausting diseases. It forms a most certain remedy for catarrh when combined with other native and foreign herbs and roots.

Dose. — From one to four fluid ounces of the warm or cold infusion, several times a day.

The P. Pilosum, P. Aristatum or Wild Basil, and P. Incanum, have similar properties.

NETTLE (Urtica Dioca).

Common Naivie. Great Stinging Nettle.

Medicinal Parts, The root and leaves.

Description. — This is a perennial, herbaceous, dull-green plant, armed with small prickles, which emit an acrid fluid when pressed. The stem is from two to four feet high ; root creeping and branching. The leaves are opposite, cordate, lance-ovate, and conspicuously acuminate. Flow- ers are small and green.

History. — The Common Nettle is weU known both in America and in

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 127

Europe, and grows in waste places, beside hedges and in gardens, flow- ering from June to September. The leaves and root are the parts used. The prickles of the Common Nettle contain Formic Acid. The young shoots have been boiled and eaten as a remedy' for scurvy.

Properties and Uses. — It is astringent, tonic, and diuretic. In decoc- tion they are valuable in diarrhoea, dysentery, and pUes ; also in hemor- rhages, scorbutic and febrile affections, gravel, and other nephritic com- plaints. The leaves of the fresh Common Nettle stimulate, inflanie, and raise blisters upon those portions of the skin to which they may be applied, and they have, as a natural consequence, often been used as a powerful rubefacient. They are also an excellent styptic, checking the flow of blood from sui'faces almost immediately upon their application. The seeds and flowers are given in wine for agues.

Dose. — Of the po\Tdered root or leaves, from twenty to forty grains ; of the decoction, from two to four fluid ounces.

Urtica Urens, or Dicarf JVeitle, possesses similar qualities, and is very efficacious in uterine hemorrhage.

Urtica Pamila, Cool-iceed, Rich-iceed, or SUngless Nettle^ has also active properties. It gives reUef in inflammations, painful swellings, erysipelas, and the topical poison of rhus.

NET LEAF PLANTAIN (Goodyera Pubescens).

Co:xrMOisr Names. Scrofula-weed, Adder^s Violet, Battle-snake Leaf, , etc.

Medicestal Part. T7ie leaves.

Description. — The scape or stem of this plant is from eight to twelve inches high, springing from a perennial root. The leaves are radical, ovate, and dark green. The flowers are white, numerous, and pubes- cent.

History. — This herb grows in various parts of the United States, in rich woods and under evergreens, and is commoner southward than northward, although there is a variety ( Goodyera Repens) which is plen- tiful in colder regions of America. It bears yellowish-white flowers in July and August. The leaves are the parts employed, and yield their virtues to boiling water.

Properties and Uses. — It is anti-scrofulous, and is kno-s^Ti to have cured severe cases of scrofula. The fresh leaves are steejjed in milk and ap- plied to scrofulous ulcers as a poultice, or the bruised leaves may be laid on them, and in either case they must be removed every three hours ; at the same time an infusion must be taken as freely as the stomach will allow. It is also good as a wash in scrofiiJous oiihthalmia. In my opin- ion scrofula is one of the most obstinate and many-shaped alflictions to which the human race is subjected, but in the production of this and

128 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

other native and foreign plants, nature has shown her ^eat charity and kindness towards us.

NIGHTSHADE (Garden) (Solanum Nigrum).

Medicinal Part. The leaves.

Deiicnption. — This is a fetid, narcotic, bushy herb, with a fibrous root, and an erect, branching, thornless stem, one or two feet high. Leaves are ovate, dentated, smooth, and the margins have the appear- ance as if gnawed by insects. Flowers white or pale-\dolet ; fruit, a berry.

History. — This plant is also called Deadly Nightshade, but is not to be confoimded with Belladonna. It is found growing along old walls, fences, and in gardens, in various parts of the United States, flowering in July and August. The leaves yield their virtues to water and alcohol.

Projierties and Uses. — It is a narcotic and sedative, producing, when given in large doses, sickness and vertigo. One to three grains of the leaves, infused in water, will produce a copious perspiration and purge on the day following. They have been freely used in cancer, scurvy, and scrofulous affections, in the form of an ointment. Very small doses are taken internally. These should always be prescribed, and their effects watched by a physician. It is better to use the plant only in the form of an ointment. The berries are poisonous, and will pro- duce torpor, insensibility, and death,

NORWAY PINE (Abies Excelsa).

Medicinal Part, The concrete juice .

Descri'ption . — This is a large tree, often having a diameter exceeding four feet, and attaining an altitude of one hundred and forty feet. Leaves are short, scattered, mucronate, dark-green, and glossy above.

History. — It is an inhabitant of Germany, Russia, and Norway, and other northern parts of Europe, as well as of Asia. It affords the Frank- incense of commerce, which, when boiled in water and strained, forms the officinal Burgundy Pitch.

Frojierties and Uses. — Burgundy Pitch is generally used externally to produce a redness of the surface, wdth a slight serous exhalation. It is employed as a counter- irritant in chronic diseases of the lungs, stomach, intestines, etc , and is regarded with favor as a local applica- tion in rheiunatic affections.

NUX VOMICA (Strychnos Nux Vomica).

Medicinal Part. The seeds.

Description. — This is a moderate-sized tree, with a short and pretty

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 129

tliick trunk. The wood is white, hard, and bitter. The leaves are op- posite, oval, and smooth on both sides. Flowers small, greenish-white, funnel- shaped, and have a disagreeable odor. The fruit is a berry, round, and about the size of a large apple, enclosing five whitish seeds.

History. — It is an inhabitant of Cor- omandel, Ceylon, and other parts of the East Indies, The active princi- ples of the seeds are strychnine and brucia.

Properties and Uses. — It is an ener- Nux Vomica,

getic poison, exerting its influence

chiefly upon the cerebro-spinal system. It is supposed to affect the spinal cord principally. It is a favorite medicine for paralysis and ner- vous debility generally. If a poisonous dose is given it will produce spasms like tetanus or lock-jaw. It is tonic, and increases the action of various excretory organs. Where want of nervous energy exists it is an admirable remedy. Its range of service is quite extensive, and valu- able for many indications ; but as great caution is required in its ad- ministration, it should only be employed by the educated physician.

OAK — ^White, Red, and Black (Quercus Alba, Rubra, and

Tenctoria).

Medicinal Part. I'he bark.

Description. — These forest-trees vary in size, according to the climate and soil. In diameter they are from three to six feet ; in height, from sixty to a hundred feet. They are too well known to require any botan- ical description.

History. — Quercus is a very extensive and valuable genus, consisting of many species, a large proportion of which grow in the United States. Their usual character is that of astringent, and the three above described are those which have been more particularly employed in medicine. The bark of the tree is the portion used. White oak bark is the one chiefly used in medicine. It is of a pale brownish color, faintly odorous, very astringent, with a slight bitterness, tough, breaking with a stringy or fibrous fractirre, and not readily powdered. It contains a very large proportion of tannic acid. Black oak bark is also used as an astringent externally, but is rarely employed internally, as it is liable to derange the bowels. It is also used in tanning and for dyeing. Red oak bark also contains considerable tannin, and is chiefly applied externally m the treatment of cancers, indolent ulcers, etc.

Properties and Uses. — The bark is slightly tonic, powerfully aatrin- 6*

i30 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

gent, and antiseptic. It is useful internally in chronic diarrhoea, chronio mucous discharges, passive hemorrhages, and wherever an internal as- tringent is required. In colliquative sweats the decoction is usually combined with lime-water. The gargle and injection are extensively used for sore throat, whites, piles, etc. A bath of the decoction is often advantageous in cutaneous diseases, but should only be used when or- dered by a physician.

Dose. — Of the decoction, one or two fluid ounces ; of the extract, from five to twenty grains.

QuERCUS Infectoria, or Dyers' Oak, is a small shrub, which fur- nishes the morbid excrescences, Galls, which, or the gallic acid obtained from them, may be used wherever an astringent is called for.

OLD MAN'S BEARD (Chionanthus Virginica).

Common Names. Fringe Tree, Poison Ash.

Medicinal Part, Bark of the root.

Description. — This is a shrub or small tree, growing from eight to twenty-five feet high. The leaves are opposite, oval, oblong, veiny, and smooth ; flowers are in dense panicles ; calyx very small ; corolla snow- white, consisting of four petals ; and fruit a fleshy, oval, purple drupe.

History. — This plant is very ornamental, and is much cultivated in gardens, from Pennsylvania to Tennessee. It grows on river-banks and on elevated places, presenting clusters of snow-white flowers in May and June. The bark of the root, which imparts its properties to water or alcohol, is the part used.

Properties and Uses. — The bark is aperient, alterative, and diuretic, with some narcotic properties. An infusion is recommended for bilious, typhoid, and intermittent fevers. To convalescents who are suffering from the efifects of exhaustive diseases it is an excellent tonic and re- storative. It can be used to advantage as a poultice for ulcers, wounds, and external inflammations.

Dose. — Of the infusion, from the half a fluid ounce to two fluid ounces, repeated several times through the day, according to the influence it ex- erts upon the system.

OLD FIELD BALSAM (Gnaphalium Polycephalum).

Common Names. Indian Posy, Sweet-scented Life Everlasting^ White Balsam, etc.

Medicinal Part. The herb.

Description. — This indigenous herbaceous annual has an erect, whitish, wooUy, and much branched stem, one or two feet high. The leaves are al- ternate, sessile, lanceolate, acute, and entire ; flowers tubular and yellow.

History. — Old Field Balsam is found in Canada and various parts of the United States, growing in old fields and on dry barren lands, flower-

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131

ing in July and Augnst. The leaves have a pleasant, aromatic smell, and are the parts used. They readily yield their properties to water.

Properties and Uses. — It is an astringent. Ulcerations of the mouth and throat are relieved by chewing the leaves and blossoms. In fevers a warm infusion is found to be very serviceable ; also in quinsy, and pulmonary and bronchial complaints. It is also valuable, in infusion, for diseases of the bowels and hemorrhages ; and the leaves, applied to bruises, indolent tumors, and other local affections, are very efficacious.

A:ntemaria Margaritacea, or Pearl-flowered Life Everlasting^ a perennial, possesses similar mediciual qualities.

OPIUM (Pap AVER SomniferumX

Common Name. Poppy.

Medicinal Part. Concrete juice of unripe capsule.

Description. — An annual herb, with an erect, round, green, smooth stem, from two to four feet high. Leaves large, oblong, green ; margius wavy, incised, and toothed ; teeth sometimes tipped with a rigid hair. Flowers large, calyx smooth, and the fruit a large, smooth, globose cap- sule. There are two varieties, the black and white.

History. — A native of Asia and Egypt. It grows apparently wild in some parts of Europe and in England, but has escaped the gardens. Cultivated in Asia Minor, Egypt, Persia, and India, for the opium ob- tained from it. The white variety is cultivated on the plains of India, and the black in the Himalayas. Its virtues have been kno^sTi to the ancients ; for Homer speaks of the poppy growing in gardens. Poppy capsules contain a small quantity of the principles found in opium, and the effect is similar, but much weaker than it possesses. They are used medicinally ; but opium is almost universally used.

Properties and Uses. — Opium is a narcotic and stimulant, acting under various circumstances as a sedative, antispasmodic, febrifuge, and diaphoretic. It is anodyne, and extensively used for that purpose. It contains many active principles, morphia and codeia being, however, the most important. There is no herbal medicine more extensively used, as well as abused, than Opium, and though a valuable remedy, its indiscriminate use is pernicious^ as it is capable of doing great harm. Laudanum and paregoric are the forms mostly used in domestic prac- tice, but the "soothing syrups" and "carminatives" found in every nursery and household aH contain Opium in some form, and work a great deal of mischief.

D(?«e.— Opium, one grain; laudanum, twenty drops ; paregoric, a tea- spoonful.

132 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

PAPOOSE ROOT (Caulopittllum Thalictroides).

Common Names. Blue CoJiosh, Squaw Root, etc.

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — This is a smooth, glaucous plant, purple when young, with a high, round stem, one to three feet high. Leaves bitemate or tritemate, leaflets oval, petiolate, pale beneath, and from two to three inches long. The flowers appear in May or June.

History. — It is a handsome perennial plant, growing in all parts of the United States, near running streams, and in low, moist, rich grounds ; also in swamps and on islands. The seeds, which ripen in August, make a decoction which closely resembles coffee. The berries are dry and rather mawkish. Its active principle is Caulopliyllin.

Properties and Uses. — It is principally used as an emmenagogue, parturient, and antispasmodic. It also possesses diuretic, diaphoretic, and anthelmintic properties. It is employed in rheumatism, colic, cramps, hiccough, epilepsy, hysteria, uterine inflammation, etc. It is a valuable remedy in all chronic uterine diseases, but should be given in combination with such other remedies as the case requires.

Dose. — Of the decoction, from two to four fluid ounces, three or fou< times a day.

PAREIRA BRAVA (CissAMPELOS Pareira),

Common Names. Velvet Leaf^ Ice Vine.

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — This plant is a shrub, with a round woody root and smooth stems. Leaves roundish, peltate, subcordate, and smooth above when full grown. Flowers small, and the fruit a scarlet, round, reniform, shrivelled berry.

History. — This is a native of the West India Islands and the Spanish Main. It is sometimes imported under the name of ahuta or butua root. It comes in cylindrical pieces, sometimes flattened, and some a& thick as a child's arm, and a foot or more in length. The alkaloid obtained from it has been called Cissampelin, or Pelosin.

Properties and Uses. — Tonic, diuretic, and aperient. Used in chronic inflammation of the bladder, and various disorders of the urinary- organs. It is also serviceable in leucorrhoea and gonorrhoea. It is highly beneficial in calculous affections, rheumatism, and jaundice.

Dose. — Of the infusion, one to four ounces ; extract, ten to twenty grains.

PARSLEY (Petroselinum Sativum).

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — This biennial plant has a fleshy, spindle-shaped root,

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 133

and an erect, smooth, branching stem. The radical leaves are biter- nate, bright green, and on long petioles ; leaflets wedge-shaped. Flow- ers white or greenish, and petals rounded and barely emarginate.

History. — Although Parsley is reared in all parts of the civilized world as a culinary vegetable, it is a native of Europe. The root is the officinal part. From the seeds French chemists have succeeded in ob- taining an essential oil, named Apiol^ which has proved to be a good substitute for quinia in intermittent fevers, and for ergot as a partu- rient.

Pi^operties and Uses. — It is diuretic, and very excellent in dropsy, especially that following scarlatina and other exanthematous diseases. It is also frequently used to remedy retention of urine, strangury, and gonorrhoea. The seeds are sometimes used as carminatives. They kill vermin in the head. The leaves, bruised, are a good application for contusions, swelled breasts, and enlarged glands. The bruised leaves applied to the breasts are used by wet-nurses to " dry up " the milk.

Dose. — Of the oil, for diuretic purposes, three or four drops a day ; of the infusion, two to four fluid ounces, three or four times a day.

PARTRIDGE BERRY (Mitchella Repens).

Common Names. One Berry^ ChecTcerlerry^ Winter Clover, Deer- herry, Sguaw-vine^ etc.

Medicinal Part. Tlie vine.

Description. — This indigenous evergreen herb has a perennial root, from which arises a smooth and creeping stem. The leaves are ovate, slightly cordate, opposite, flat and dark-green ; flowers are white, often tinged with red, in pairs, very fragrant, and have united ovaries. Calyx four-parted ; corolla funnel-shaped ; stamens four, inserted on the co- rolla. The fruit is a dry berry-like double drupe.

History. — Partridge Berry is indigenous to the United States. It grows both in dry woods and swampy places, and flowers in June and July. The berry is bright scarlet and edible, but nearly tasteless. The leaves, which look something like clover, remain green throughout the winter. The whole plant is used, readily imparting its virtues to alcohol or boiling water.

Properties and Uses. — Partridge Berry is parturient (producing or promoting child-birth, or labor), diuretic, and astringent. In all uterine diseases it is highly beneficial. The Indian women use it for weeks before confinement, in order to render parturition safe and easy. Ladies who wish to use it for that purpose, however, should consult an herbal physician of experience for a proper, safe, and effectual preparation. The remedy is exclusively American, not being used, or even noticed, by European practitioners.

Dose. — Of a strong decoction, from two to four fluid ounces, three or

134 THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

four times a day. The berries are good for dysentery. They are aJao highly spoken of as a cure for sore nipples. The application for the nipples is made by boiling a strong decoction of the leaves down to a thick liquid, and then adding cream to it. It is not, however, equal to the Herbal Ointment, for an account of which see page 472.

PENNYROYAL (Hedeoma PuLEGioroES).

Common Names. TicTcioeed^ Squaicmint, etc.

Medicinal Part. The herb.

DescriptioJi.— This is an indigenous annual plant, with a fibrous, yel- lowish root, and an erect, branching stem, from six to twelve inches high. The leaves are half an inch or more long, opposite, oblong, and on short petioles ; floral leaves similar. The flowers are quite small and light-blue in color.

History. — This plant should not be confounded with the Mentha pule- gioides^ or European Pennyroyal. It grows in barren woods and dry fields, and particularly in limestone countries, flowering from June to September and October, rendering the air fragrant to some distance around it. It is common to nearly all parts of the United States. It is said to be very obnoxious to fleas.

Properties and Uses. — It is stimulant, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, and carminative. The warm infusion, used freely, will promote perspira- tion, restore suppressed lochia or after-flow, and excite the menstrual discharge when recently checked. It is very much used by females for this last purpose — a large draught being taken at bedtime, the feet being previously bathed in hot water.

PEONY (P^ONiA Officinalis).

Medicinal Part. TJieroot.

Description. — Peony has many thick, long-spreading, perennial roots, running deep into the ground, with an erect, herbaceous, large, green, and branching stem, about two or three feet high. The leaves are large ; leaflets ovate-lanceolate and smooth. The flowers are large, red, and solitary ; and fruit a many-seeded, fleshy follicle.

History. — This plant is indigenous to Southern Europe, and is culti- vated in gardens in the United States and elsewhere, on account of the elegance of its large flowers, which appear from May to August. The root is the officinal part. This, \vith the seeds and flowers, yields its virtues to diluted spirits.

Properties and Uses. — It is antispasmodic and tonic, and can be ad- vantageously employed in chorea, epilepsy, spasms, and various nervous affections. An infusion of value is made by adding an oimce of the root, in coarse powder, to a pint of a boiling liquid, composed of one part of good gin and two parts of water.

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 135

l)o%e. — Two or three fluid ounces (sweetened), three or four times a day.

PERUVIAN BALSAM (Myrospermum Peruiferum).

Medicinal Part. Tlie balsamic exudation.

Description. — The tree from which this is procured is large, with a thick, straight, smooth trunk, and a coarse, gray, compact, heavy, gran- ulated bark. The bark is of a pale straw color, filled with resin, which, according to its quantity, changes the color to citron, yellow, red, or dark chestnut ; smell and taste grateful, balsamic, and aromatic. The leaves are pinnate ; leaflets alternate, oblong or ovate, acuminate, and emar- ginate. The flowers are in axillary racemes, and the fruit is a pendu- lous, straw-colored samara.

History. — The tree is common to the forests of Peru, and flowers from July to October. The natives call it Quinquina. It contains a large amount of balsamic juice, which yields copiously when the bark is incised. Balsam of Peru, in thin layers, has a dark, reddish-brown color ; in bulk it is black, or of the color of molasses. The natives steep the fruit in rum, call the liquid balsamito, and use it largely for medical purposes.

Properties and Uses. — It is expectorant and stimulant, acting especially on mucous tissues. Its reparative action on the lungs in consumption is decided, removing the secretions, healing the ulcers, and expelling the tuberculous matter. In all chronic diseases of the lungs and bronchial tubes it is without a superior. Externally it can be applied tc old ulcers, wounds, ringworm, etc.

This valuable remedy is one of the ingredients of my " Acacian Balsam," wherein it is properly combined with many other valuable associates.

PINKROOT (Sptgelia Marilandica).

Common Names. Carolina Pink or Worm Grass.

Medicinal Part. The root.

Description. — This herbaceous, indigenous plant has a perennial, very fibrous, yellow root, which sends up several erect, smooth stems of purplish color, from six to twenty inches high. The leaves are opposite, ses- sile, ovate-lanceolate, acute, or acuminate, entire, and smooth. Flowers few in number and club-shaped. Fruit a double capsule.

History. — It inhabits the Southern States, and is seldom found north of the Potomac. It was used by pinkroot.

t>^e Indians as an anthelmintic before the discovery of America, and was formerly collected for the market by the Creeks and

136

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

Cherokees in the northern part of Georgia, but since their removal the supply comes from the far Southwest.

Properties and Uses. — It is an active and certain vermifuge, especially among- children. Given alone it is very apt to produce various unpleas- ant symptoms, increased action of the heart, dizziness, etc. I extract from the root a resinous principle, to which I have given the name of ^ngeliin.^ which has all of the virtues of the root, but does not produce any derangement. I employ the Spigeliin in my ' ' Male Fern Vermi- fuge." See page 474.

PIPSISSEWA (Chimaphila Umbellata).

Common Naivees. Wintergreen, Prince's Pine, Ground HoUi/, etc. Medicinal Part. The whole plant.

Description. — This is a small evergreen, nearly herbaceous, perennial herb, with a creeping rhizome, from which spring several erect stems,

woody at their base, and from four to eight inches high. The leaves are from two to three inches long, on short petioles, and of dark green-color, paler below. The flowers are of light-purple color, and exhale a fragrant odor. The pollen is white, and the fruit is an erect five- celled capsule.

History. — This plant is indigenous to the north temperate regions of both hemispheres, and is met with in dry, shady woods, flowering from May to August. The leaves have no odor when dried, but when fresh and rubbed they are rather fragrant. Boiling water or alcohol extracts their virtues. They con- tain resin, gum, lignin, and saline sub- stances.

Properties and Uses. — It is diuretic, tonic, alterative, and astringent. It is especially useful in scrofula and chronic rheumatism. In diseases of the kidneys and dropsy it exerts a decided curative power. In uri- nary diseases it is preferable to uva ursi, ou account of being less obnox- ious to the stomach. In dropsy it cannot be so well depended upon without the use of some more active measures in combination with it.

Pipsissewa.

PLEURISY ROOT (Asclepias Tuberosa).

Common Names. ButterJIy-weed, Wi7id-root, Tuber-root.

Medicinal Part. I'he root.

Description. — This plant has a perennial, large, fleshy, white, fusiform

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST. 137

root, from which numerous stems arise, Rowing from one to three feet high, which are more or less erect, round, hairy, green or red, and grow- ing in bunches from the root. The leaves are alternate, lanceolate, hairy, dark green above, and paler beneath. The flowers are numerous, erect, and of a beautifully bright orange color. The fruit is a long, narrow, green follicle. Seeds are ovate, and terminate in long silken hairs.

History. — It is a native of the United States, more particularly of the Southern States, inhabiting gravelly and sandy soils, and flowering in July and August. The root is the medicinal part. WTien fresh it has a disagreeable, slightly acrimonious taste, but when dried the taste is slightly bitter. Boiling water extracts its virtues. Pleurisy Root

Asclepin is the active principle.

Properties and Uses. — Pleurisy Root is much used in decoction or infusion, for the purpose of promoting perspiration and expectoration in diseases of the respiratory organs, especially pleurisy, inflamma- tion of the lungs, catarrhal affections, consumption, etc. It is like- wise carminative, tonic, diuretic, and antispasmodic, but does not stimulate. Acute rheumatism, fever, dysentery, etc., are benefited by a free use of the warm infusion. It is also highly efficacious in some cases of dyspepsia. In uterine difficulties it has also been found of great value. Its chief use, however, is in bronchial and pulmonary complaints, and it serves its indications in these com- plaints most admirably. It is one of the ingredients of my Acacian Balsam. See page 469,

Dose. — Of the powder, twenty to sixty grains, three or four times a day. Of a strong tincture, one or two wineglasses full four or five times a day, until perspiration is produced.

POKE (Phytolacca Decandra).

Common Names. Pigeon-herry., Oarget., Scoke., Coahum^ etc.

Medicinal Parts. The root., leaves, and berries.

Description. — This indigenous plant has a perennial root of large size, frequently exceeding a man's leg in diameter, fleshy, fibrous, easily cut or broken, and covered wdth a thin brownish bark. The stems are annual, about an inch in diameter, round, smooth, when young green, and grow from five to nine feet in height. The leaves are scattered, petiolate, smooth on both sides, and about five inches long and three broad. The flowers are numerous, small, and greenish-white in oolor ; and the berries are round, dark-purple, and in long clusters.

138

THE COMPLETE HERBALIST.

Histoi^. — Tliis plant is common in many parts of the country, grow- ing in dry fields, hillsides, and roadsides, and flowering in July and August. It is also found in Europe and northern parts of Africa. The leaves should be gathered just previous to the ripening of the berries. The berries are collected when fully matured. Phytolaccin is its active principle.

Properties and Uses. — Poke is emetic, cathartic, alterative, and slightly narcotic. The root excites the whole glandular system, and is very use- ful in syphilitic, scrofulous, rheumatic, and cutaneous diseases. It is an excellent remedy for the removal of mercurio-syphilitic affections. Very few, if any, of the alteratives have superior power to Poke, if it is properly gathered and prepared for medicinal use. It is an ingre- dient in my " Blood Purifier," which wiU be foimd fully described on page 473.

POMEGRANATE (PuNiCA Granatum).

Medicinal Parts. The rind of the fruity and bark of the root. De^scri/ption. — This is a small tree or shrub. The leaves are opposite, entire, smooth, and two or three inches long. The flowers are large, red, two or three, and nearly sessile. Calyx five-cleft, corolla consists of five much crumpled petals. The fruit is a large pericarp, quite pleasant in flavor, and quite watery.

History. — The Pomegranate is Asiatic, but has been naturalized in the West Indies and the Southern States.

Properties and Uses. — The flowers and rind of the fruit are astringent, and are used for the ar- rest of mucous discharges, hemorrhages, night- sweats, and diarrhoea accompanying consumption. They are also very good for intermittent fever and tape-worm. The bark of the root is used as a specific for tape-worm, but its chief virtues are healing and balsamic, if taken for ulcerations of the lungs.

Dose. — The dose of the rind or flowers in powder is from one to two scruples, and in decoction from one to three fluid ounces.

PRICKLY ASH (Xanthoxylum Fraxineum). . Common Names. Yellow-wood, Toothache-bush., etc. Prickly Ash. MEDICINAL PARTS. The bark and berries.

Description. —This indigenous shrub has a stem ten or twelve feet high, with alternate branches, which are armed with Btrong conical prickles. The leaves are alternate and pinnate,

THE COMPLETE HEKBALIST, 139

leaflets ovate and acute. Tlie flowers are small, greenisli, and appear before the leaves. The fruit is an oval capsule, varying from green to red in color.

History. — It is a native of North America, growing from Canada to Virginia, and west to the IVIississippi, in woods, thickets, and on river banks, and flowering in April and May. The medicinal parts render their virtues to water and alcohol. Xanthoxyline is its active principle.

Properties and Uses. — Prickly Ash is stimulant, tonic, alterative, and sialagogue. It is used as a stimulant in languid states of the system, and as a sialagogue in paralysis of the tongue and mouth. It is highly beneficial in chronic rheumatism, colic, syphilis, hepatic derangements, and wherever a stimulating alterative is required. Dose of the powder, from ten to thirty grains, three times a day. The berries are stimulant, carminative, and antispasmodic, acting especially on the mucous tissues.

The Aralia Spinosa, or Southern Prickly Ash, differs from Xanthoxy- ium, both in botanical character and medicinal virtues.

PRIVET (LiGUSTRUM VULGARE).

Common Names. P7ivy, Prim, etc.

Medicinal Part. The leaves.

Description. — This is a smooth shrub, growing five or six feet high. The leaves are dark-green, one or two inches in length, about half as wide, entire, smooth, lanceolate, and on short petioles. The flowers are small, white, and numerous, and fruit a spherical black berry. In England the Privet is c