83-2 
successfully dried, have been used as a substitute for tobacco in cigars, the flavor 
of which is said to greatly resemble that of mild Spanish tobacco. The seeds have 
been extensively used for fattening poultry; fowls eat of these greedily on account 
of their oily nature. How much a fact it may be that a growth of this plant about 
a dwelling protects the inhabitants against malarial influences is not yet proven, 
though strongly asserted by many. An infusion of the stems is claimed to be 
anti-malarial, and with some forms will probably prove such. A further proving of 
the tincture is greatly needed, as it would doubtless show an adaptability in this 
direction. Helianthus has no place in the U. S. Ph. In the Eclectic Materia 
Medica the infusion of the seeds is used asa mild expectorant, and the expressed 
oil as a diuretic. 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The ripe seeds. The seeds when 
ripe are of a dark purplish color, more or less 4-sided and 4-angled by com- 
pression; they are about half an inch in length by one-eighth in breadth. The 
husk is whitish internally and the kernel sweet, oily and edible. The tincture 
is made by coarsely powdering the ripe seeds, covering the mass with five parts 
by weight of dilute alcohol, and allowing it to remain at least eight days in a well- 
corked bottle, in a dark, cool place, being shaken twice a day. The tincture is 
then decanted, strained and filtered. 
Thus prepared it is by transmitted light a very pale straw-color, has no char- 
acteristic taste, and has an acid reaction to litmus-paper. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—The analysis of this plant by Wittstein, in 
1879, was made exclusive of the seeds, and has therefore no interest to us. The 
fruit contains by his analysis from twelve to twenty-four per cent. of fixed oil, hav- 
ing a light straw-color, mild taste, and watery consistence, its specific gravity 
_ being .926°. It becomes turbid at ordinary temperatures and solidifies at —16°. 
Helianthic Acid.—C,H,O,, in the form of a slightly colored powder, has 
been extracted from the kernels; it is soluble both in water and alcohol. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Very little or nothing is known of the physio- — 
logical action of this plant, which would necessarily be slight. It causes dryness 
of the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, and fauces, excites vomit- — 
ing, heat and redness of the skin, and some slight inflammation of the cuticle. 
A thorough proving of the whole plant is greatly to be desired, as without doubt 
another remedy would be found in it to add to our excellent list for intermittents. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 83. 
t. Whole plant, seven times reduced, from a cultivated specimen. Binghamton, N. Y., Sept 8, 1882. 
. 2. Flower head. | | 
. Floweret (enlarged). 
. Young ‘seed. 
. Mature seed. 
. Scale of involucre. 
Ray. 
- Pollen grain x 200. 
COW AN Pw 
