' No. 19. CAtriiOPHYI.I.Uia. 99 



This is a medical plant of the Indians, and although 

 not yet introduced into our offi<;inal books, deserves 

 to be better known. I have found it often used in 

 the country and by Indian Doctors; Smith and Hen- 

 ry extol it 



Locality — AH over the United States, from Ca- 

 nada and New England to Mis^souri and Georgia ; 

 but chiefly on mountains and shady hills, rare in 

 plains and glades, yet often found in deep fertile soiL% 

 swampy and moist grounds ; in river islartds, &c. 



Qualities — The root is the only part used : in 

 smell and taste, it partakes of Ginseng and Seneca 

 root, and is sometimes mistaken for both. It is sweet- 

 ish, a little pungent and aromatic: the infusion and 

 tincture are yellow — it contains a gum, resin and oil^ 



Properties — Demulcent, antispasmodic, emena- 



It is used by the Indians and 



gogue, sudorific, &c. 



their imitators for rheumatism, dropsy, choUc, sore 

 tion of uterus. 



inflamma- 



able for female diseases, and Smith asserts that the 

 Indian women owe the facility of their parturition, to 

 a constant use of a tea of the root for two or three 

 weeks before their time. As a powerful emenagogue 

 it promotes delivery, menstruation, and dropsical 

 discharges. It may be used in warm infusion, de- 

 coction, tincture, syrup or cordial. 



Substitutes — Sanguinaria canadensis — Penny- 

 ioy^\— Poly gala S'^ne^a— Snake roots— Red Cedar 



Spikenard — Camphor — Ginseng, &c. 



Remarks— The figure of Henry has trifoliate 

 leaves and the berries on the leaves ? 



