134 ORD. VI.. Umbellatex. PIMPINELLA SAXIFRAGA, 
short, white, and furnished with simple stigmata: the seeds are 
naked, furrowed, egg-shaped. “It is a native of this country; and 
grows in dry meadows and pastures: the flowers appear in August 
and September. 
Several species of Pimpinella were formerly officinally used, of 
which the P. magna, and the species represented in the annexed 
plate, were the principal; in their medicinal qualities however 
these are found to have no remarkable difference.* The roots, 
which obtain a place in the Materia Medica of the Edinburgh 
Pharmacopeeia, have an unpleasant smell, and a hot pungent bit- 
terish taste;} on drying, or on being long kept, their pungency is 
considerably diminished. Their virtue is extracted partially by 
water, and completely by rectified spirit. When large quantities 
of the root are distilled with water, a small portion of essential oil, 
extremely acrid and fiery, may be obtained. 
Bergius states the virtues of this root to be resolvent, diaphoretic, 
stomachic, and diuretic.” It is recommended by several writers‘ as 
a stomachic, and in all cases where pituitous humours are thought 
to prevail, as asthmas, dropsies, catarrhal coughs, hoarsenesses, and 
what has been called angina serosa; and by Hoffmann‘ it is said to 
be an excellent emmenagogue. In the way of gargle it has been 
employed for dissolving viscid mucous, and to stimulate the tongue, 
when that organ becomes paralytic. 
Pimpinella formerly entered the officinal pulvis ari, and like the 
arum it appears to be an acrid stimulant; but how far this quality 
renders it fit for the cure of the above-mentioned disorders, we 
leave to the consideration of others. It may be given in doses of 
a scruple in substance, and in infusion to two drams, 
* Murray, App. Med, vol. i. p. 295. 
+ Hence chewing it is recommended to relieve the tooth-ach. 
* Lewis, Mat. Med. p.502, =» M, M. p. 230. 
* Especially German Physiciass, * Med. off, p. 533. 
