HERBS 



55 



In early days the leaves were used for ailments of the chest and 

 lungs by making a syrup in distilled water. A tobacco leaf was ap- 

 plied to the head to relieve pains and migrain. Seeds eased pains 

 of toothache and leaves were burned for ashes and used as a tooth- 

 powder. Distilled juice put in cuts, sores and old wounds, promo- 

 ted healing. Indians gathered the whole plant when seeds were ripe 

 but leaves still green. They dried and crumbled the leaves for 

 smoking. A mixture of different leaves was used with the tobacco, 

 such as bear berry and sumac, also the bark of dogwood scraped. 

 Indian women smoked tobacco only to cure colds. A decoction of 

 powdered leaves was drunk as an effective emetic (to cause vomit- 

 ing). The plant is reported to be poisonous to stock. 



H-47. MONKEY FLOW- ^^'- 



ERS, Mimulus spo , Figwort 

 Fam. (M^ guttatus , Common 

 Monkey Flower, illustrated). 

 Generally herbs with opposite 

 leaves; the flower 2-lipped and 

 yellow, purple, red or violet, 

 with the throat open or closed 

 by a palate (obstruction); usu- 

 ally plants are 1-2' talU 



Indians used both young 

 stems and leaves for salad 

 greens. Root of Yellow Mim- 

 ulus used as astringent. Raw 

 leaves and stems were applied f^ 

 when crushed to rope burns and wounds as a poultice. 



H-48. MULLEIN, Verbascum sp, 3' -6' high 

 herbs, with long, oval, basal leaves, getting 

 smaller toward top of stem; both stem and leaves 

 generally very woolly. Flower stalks close- 

 packed, 1-3' high, also very woolly. Yellow or 

 white flowers produce brown seeds. 



In early days the downyleaves and the stalks 

 were dipped in grease and used for candle and 

 lamp wicks. Dioscorides said: "A small quan- 

 tity of decoction of roots given for cramps and 

 convulsions, and, likewise, those troubled with 



Most Hab. 



Most States 

 W. Can. 



Most States 

 W. Can. 



