190 
it is much used to the present day. The carminative and corrective 
properties are due to the volatile oil. 
Birrerswerer (Solanum Dulcamara) N.O.. A_ soft woody 
climbing or reclining plant of Europe and North America grow- 
ing along the borders of streams. The stem of the plant has been 
used as a laxative, especially in rheumatism, and as an alterative 
in certain skin diseases. 
BouncinG Ber (Saponaria officinalis), Soapwort, N.O. Sapo- 
naria is widely distributed in Europe and the United States, grow- 
ing by roadsides and in waste places, flowering in July and August. 
The parts used medicinally are the roots and leaves, which contain 
the glucoside, saponin. In water the dried plant produces a foam 
or frothing similar to soapsuds and is much used as a detergent. 
It is also used as a tonic diaphoretic and alterative in the form of 
a decoction or tea. 
Boxwoop (Buxus sempervirens) N.O. A small, dense-leaved, 
hardwooded evergreen tree, native of dry, chalky hills in Europe 
and western Asia. The bark has been used as an adulterant of 
pomegranate and has the same medicinal properties, although to 
a lesser degree. It is a taenicide (vermifuge), astringent. 
Broom (Cytisus scoparius), Broom tops, N.O. The plant is a 
tall, gregarious, densely branching shrub, growing in Europe and 
introduced into this country. It has been used from antiquity in 
the treatment of dropsy, and is mentioned in the earliest Italian and 
German herbals. It has been used as a diuretic in certain cardiac 
disorders. 
Bryony (Bryonia dioica) N.F. The cucumber-like vines of 
this plant abound in central and southern Europe. The turnip 
shaped root is cut into slices and dried, and its medicinal virtues 
were well known to the ancients. It is used as a cathartic and 
diuretic to some extent in modern medicine. 
Bucxruorn Bark (Rhannus Frangula), Alder buckthorn, 
N.I*. Grows as a large shrub or small tree throughout Europe, 
Siberian Asia and the northern African coast. It is used for the 
same purposes on the continent as Cascara Sagrada bark is used 
in this country. It is a remedy for chronic constipation, but is 
more irritant than Cascara and apt to cause eriping. It has also 
been used as a dye for cotton, silk, and wool fabrics. 


— 
