140 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 
for all diseases. According to the Chinese authorities, “panacine,” 
a peculiar substance of the plant, stops vomiting, nourishes and 
strengthens the body, clears the judgment, removes all nervous 
affections, and even rejuvenates the human frame in old age. Ex- 
periments in this country have shown the ginseng to be of no par- 
ticular value. 
Parthenium integrifolium, American feverfew. 
The root is aromatic, bitter, stimulant, diuretic, and tonic, and 
the tops are antiperiodic. The whole plant has tonic, carminative 
and vermifuge properties. It has been used in nephritis and in- 
fiammation of the bladder. 
Phytolacca decandra, poke-weed. 
The parts used in medicine are the leaves, berries, and roots. 
The leaves are somewhat purgative, but are principally employed 
in domestic practice as a dressing for ulcers. The berries have been 
used in scrofula and as an external application for cancerous sores. 
The root has been used, in small doses, in chronic rheumatism and 
chronic eruptions, 
Podophyllum peltatum, May-apple. 
The fruit of this plant was considered medicinal by the Indians, 
and the root was in common use as a purgative. An extract and 
powder made from the roots is sometimes used as a purgative even 
now. 
Polemonium reptans, Jacob’s ladder. 
The root is alterative, pectoral, and diuretic. 
Polygonum hydropiperoides, water pepper. 
The herbage of this plant is employed in domestic practice, ex- 
ternally as a counter-irritant and internally to induce diaphoresis 
in acute inflammatory affections. 
Polygonatum commutatum, Solomon’s seal. 
The rhizomes and rootlets are sometimes employed as a decoc- 
tion in a domestic remedy to allay irritation of the mucous sur- 
faces and in ivy poisoning where it acts by protecting the inflamed 
parts from the air. 
Polymnia uvedalia, bear’s-foot. 
The plant is vulnerary, tonic, and antispasmodic. 
Polypodium vulgare, common polypody. 
Large doses of this plant have been used to produce mild purga- 
tion. It was highly esteemed by the ancients as a purgative in 
obstructions of the liver and was also supposed to be useful in gout 
and colic. 
Portulaca oleracea, purslane. 
The plant is antiseptic, diuretic, aperient, and vulnerary. 
