MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN | 158 
MEDICINAL PLANTS OF OUR LOCAL FLORA 
(Continued from October Bulletin) 
I. HERBACEOUS PLANTS 
Scrophularia nodosa, Maryland figwort. 
This plant was formerly employed as an alterative in gout and 
rheumatism. 
Scutellaria laterifiora, skulleap. 
At one time this plant had quite a reputation as a remedy for 
hydrophobia, although now it is not supposed to have had any 
efficacy in this malady. 
Senecio aureus, golden ragwort. 
This plant is said to be diaphoretic, diuretic, and tonic. 
Silphium laciniatum, compass plant. 
Silphium perfoliatum, cup-plant. 
These plants afford a fragrant bitter gum which is supposed to 
act as a stimulant and antispasmodic. 
Smilax herbacea, carrion flower. 
The roots of the carrion flower have been employed as a dis- 
solvent of tumors, and it is said that the negroes of South Carolina 
used it in combination with molasses and Indian corn in the manu- 
facture of a very pleasant beer. 
Solanum Dulcamara, bitter-sweet. 
A decoction made from the young twigs of this plant has been 
employed in chronic rheumatism, asthma, chronic catarrh, and in 
those conditions of the system in which sarsaparilla has been 
found beneficial. 
Solanum nigrum, common nightshade. 
The plant is said to be narcotic, diuretic, and diaphoretic. It has 
been used as a remedy in chronic catarrh, but its reputation has 
arisen mainly from the benefit obtained from its use in obstinate 
skin diseases. 
Stellaria media, chickweed. 
The plant is refrigerant, demulcent, and alterative. 
Tanacetum vulgare, tansy. 
The leaves and flowers formerly were in high repute in domestic 
practice in the treatment of dyspepsia, hysteria, and intermittent 
fevers, but they are rarely employed by the physician. 
Taraxacum officinale, dandelion. 
The part used for medicinal purposes is the root which has been 
employed in deranged conditions of the digestive organs when com- 
bined with a deranged condition of the liver, also in affections of 
the spleen. The leaves of the dandelion are much used in the spring 
as a salad. 
