| Gaultheria procumbens. “477 
MEDICAL PROPERTIES. 
Mountain-tea is one of the most favourite indigenous medicinal _ 
articles among the peasantry of those parts of our country where it 
is abundant. In common with many popular remedies, its virtues 
are frequently overrated, and its use injudiciously resortedto. This 
circumstance in other vegetables as well as in this, arises from 
an ignorance of the real powers or effects of the plant, which is 
: supposed by vague rumours to be endued'with virtues to which it 
has no claim. Hence appears the usefulness of an exact appreciation 
of the qualities of reputed medicinal plants. ” The as pame, mountain. 
tea implies, that the plant. under notice. is used i 
mon tea; and actual inquiries through various yar ce 
try have convinced me, that it is hain po Soe gs as a metic. 4 
nal tea, and with decided good effect. The whole plant is en- 
dued with an aromatic flavour, combined with some astringency. 
It is a stimulant and anodyne. Shoepf says that the leaves have an 
aromatic bitterness ; but this bitterness, if any, is very inconsiderable, 
The astringency of the hot infusion is certainly not greater than 
that of strong green tea. I have heard many vague accounts of the 
efficacy of the infusion as a palliative in asthma ; but though they con- 
