196 
The fruit and its leaves are repeatedly mentioned in the Scriptures, 
in the Arabian Nights, and in the writings of Pliny. Dried figs 
were a regular article of trade during the Middle Ages, being 
used as a food and confection. The chief value of figs beside their 
laxative action, is as a palatable addition to more active drugs such 
as Senna and Cascara. 
FLAG, BLur (/ris versicolor) N.F. Blue flag is one of our 
most beautiful and interesting wild flowers, growing throughout 
the U. S. in wet, marshy localities, blooming in May and June. 
The plant was highly esteemed by the American Indians who 
used it in gastric affections. It is sometimes called “vegetable mer- 
cury’’ due to the salivation it produces. The rhizome is used as a 
cathartic, diuretic, and emetic in conjunction with other drugs. 
FLaGc, YELLow (/ris pseudacorus) N.O. A European species 
which is becoming naturalized in the East. The mec 
QQ, 
icinal_ prop- 
erties are similar to those of the native /. versicolor. q.v. 
LAXSEED (Linum usitatissimum), Linseed, U.S.P. The flax- 
plant, native to Central Asia, is cultivated in all temperate regions 
— 
for its linen-yielding fiber, as well as the seeds from which one 
of the most extensively used oils is obtained. The textile uses of 
flax fibers have been noted in the earliest records of civilization, 
and I¢gyptian tombs show paintings of the weaving of flax into 
cloth. Greek writers of the 7th century B.C. mention flax as a 
medicine. Charlemagne promoted the growth of flax in northern 
Hurope, and the plant reached Sweden and Norway before the 
12th century. The ground seed is used as a poultice and demulcent 
while the residue after expression of the oil is valuable cattle feed. 
oxGLovE (Digitalis purpurca) U.S.P. Foxglove is a hand- 
some biennial plant, native to central and southern Europe. It 
has been introduced elsewhere as a garden plant and has escaped 
from cultivation, particularly in the northern Pacific Coast states. | 
— 
— 
It has been used in cardiac and dropsical conditions since the early 
days, and at present it is one of the major cardiac tonics and circu- 
latory stimulants in medicinal use. 
FRINGE TREE (Chionanthus virginica) N.F. This small tree is 
native to the southeastern United States, blossoming in May and 
June. It has long been used as a popular hepatic stimulant and 
