rM> MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS 



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stimulant and tonic, and at one time was much used as 

 a remed}^ for epilepsy. A volatile oil, an acrid resin, and 

 tannin have been extracted from the root. In some 

 country districts a "tea" is made from Mugwort root, 

 the beverage being held to be a remedy for rheumatism. 

 The following points suffice for the identification of 

 Mugwort: — 



1. The florets are brownish-yellow, 



2. The leaves are white and woolly on the under side, 



but green on the upper side (fig. 83). 



3. The stem is furrowed^ and about 2-4 feet high. 



4. The whole plant has a pleasant aroma. 



It is not surprising to find MugAVort much in demand 

 by herbalists, in consequence of which it is regularly 

 cultivated in this country, propagation being by division 

 of old perennial plants. The crop in the dry state is 

 worth 206\ to SOs. per cwt. ■ In the wild state Mugwort 

 is found in hedges and waste places. 



Two other members of the same genus are also regu- 

 larly cultivated in this country for medicinal purposes. 



These are the Common Wormwood {Artemisia Ahsiii- 

 thium) and Southernwood {Artemisia Ahrotamim). 

 Common Wormwood {Artemisia Absinthium). — Its 



most noticeable characteristics are: — 



1. Tlie silkiness of its leaves. 



2. The panicles of small heads of dull-yellow flowers 



at the top of the plant. 



3. The aromatic nature of the plant. 



grounds. From 



it is extracted a volatile oil, consisting chiefly of ahnnthol 

 and absinthin; these impart to the oil tonic and febri- 

 fnging properties. Wormwood is chiefly used for the 

 manufacture of the French li(jueur ahsiufhe. 



