120 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 
Apocynum cannabinum, Indian hemp. 
The root is used in dropsy and in other diseases where elimina- 
tion of poisonous substances is required. It acts both as a purge 
and as a generator of perspiration. 
Aralia nudicaulis, spikenard. 
The root is a mild stimulant and has been employed as a sub 
stitute for sarsaparilla. It has been used in rheumatic affections, 
and a watery infusion of it as a tonic in dyspepsia. 
Arctium Lappa var. minus, burdock. 
The root of burdock was at one time much used in rheumatism 
and gout, also for diseases of the skin. The seeds are said to act 
as a purgative, and the juice of the leaves mixed with oil forms a 
soft ointment used as an external application to ulcers. 
Arisaema Dracontium, dragon-root, 
The root is acrid, stimulant, expectorant and carminative. 
Arisaema triphyllum, Jack-in-the-pulpit. 
The whole plant and particularly the corm is acrid. It has been 
used for colic, sore mouth, and rheumatic pains. 
Aristolochia Serpentaria, Virginia snakeroot, 
The root was much used by the Indians as a remedy for snake 
bites, and was soon adopted by the early settlers as an excellent 
tonic and stimulant. It is said to act as a stimulant to the 
digestive organs, and has been popular as a tonic in fevers and as 
a producer of perspiration in various ailments. 
Artemisia vulgaris, mugwort. 
Much used in some parts of Europe as an emmenagogue and anti- 
hysteric and by some German practitioners in the treatment of 
epilepsy. 
Asarum canadense, wild ginger. 
The root, which is the part employed, is an aromatic stimulant 
resembling Aristolochia Serpentaria. 
Asclepias incarnata, swamp milkweed, 
The tincture made of this plant was formerly used for cancer. 
The root has been used in cases of catarrh and asthma. 
Asclepias syriaca, milkweed. 
Used in asthmatic affections, rheumatism, and catarrh. It acts 
as an anodyne, relieving pain and inducing sleep. 
Asclepias tuberosa, butterfly-weed. 
The root is said to possess a remarkable power in affections of 
the skin, inducing general perspiration without increasing greatly 
the heat of the body. Also employed in pleurisy, rheumatism, and 
typhoid fever. 
