36 



HERBS 



MCF 

 Mead. 

 Str. Wd. 



Calif. 

 Ariz. 

 Nev. 

 N. M. 

 Tex. 



CCF 

 MCF 

 Mead. 

 Str. Wd. 



H-7. YERBA MANSA, Anemopsis 

 californica; Lizard's Tail Fam. 6-24'^ 

 tall plant, with a creeping root-stock, 

 white flowers in dense spikes surrounded 

 by petal-like bracts; the heart-shaped 

 leaves are mostly basaU The plant has 

 a pungent, spicy odor, and the aromat- 

 ic root was chewed raw. 



Tea made of the leaves was used for 

 purifying blood; a poultice for cuts and 

 bruises; and bruised leaves reduced 

 swellings, dysentery, ashmao The 

 tea was also used for colds and to help 

 movement of urine in kidney ailments. 

 An infusion of the root-stocks was used 

 for various skin troubles. The leaves 

 boiled in a quantity of water were used 

 as a bath for muscular pains and for sore feet. Dried roots, roast- 

 ed and browned, were made into a decoction used for colds and for 

 stomach ache. 



fLOUERS 



H-8, 

 species. 



NETTLES, Urtica 

 The 



6 western 

 species are all covered with 

 stinging hairs, and have op- 

 posite, 3-7 nerved; toothed 

 leaves; the flowers form 

 cluster at the axils of the 

 hairy or smooth leaves. 

 Most states Pepys, in 1661, speaks 

 of eating nettle porridge; 

 also eaten in northern Per- 

 sia, Scotch and Irish use 

 the young leaves for greens. 

 The French make 7 differ- 

 ent dishes from the nettle 



FRUIT 



tops. Stems have an excellent fibre, used for fish lines and clothes. 

 Indians used branches to strike parts affected by pains, and a 

 decoction of roots to bathe rheumatic pains in joints. Sometimes, 

 pounded leaves rubbed on limbs produced a counter-irritant. Hot 

 poultices of the mashed leaves were used for rheumatism. 



