PLANTAGINACEA. 643 
Pharmacopeia. The dried leaves have been employed as a substitute for 
China Tea. Hanbury first proved that the red volatile oil commonly sold 
in the shops as Oleum Origani or Oil of Thyme, is obtained by distillation 
from Thymus vulgaris. This oil is imported from the South of France.— 
O. Dictamnus, Dittany of Crete, is said to have febrifugal properties. The 
herb O. Majorana (Majorana hortensis), Sweet Marjoram, possesses similar 
properties, and was formerly official in this country. Several species of 
Origanum are used by the cook for flavouring, as O. vulgare, Common 
Marjoram, O. Majorana or Majorana hortensis, Sweet Marjoram, &c. 
Pogostemon Patchouli, Pucha-Pat or Patchouly.—This plant is a native 
of Silhet and the Malayan Peninsula. The dried tops are imported and 
yield by distillation a strong-scented volatile oil, called Oil of Patchouli, 
which has been much employed in perfumery. The coarsely powdered herb 
is also used for making sachets. 
Rosmarinus officinalis, Common Rosemary. The flowering tops contain 
a volatile oil which imparts to them stimulant and carminative properties. 
This oil is official in the British Pharmacopeeia. Rosemary is however 
chiefly used in perfumery, and by the hairdresser. The flavour of Narbonne 
honey is said to be due to the bees feeding on the flowers of this plant. The 
dried leaves are sometimes used as a substitute for China Tea. 
Salvia officinalis, Common or Garden Sage.—The leaves were formerly 
much employed as tea. They are official in the United States Pharma- 
copeia. An infusion of Sage is frequently used in the United States asa 
gargle in common sore-throat and when the uvula is relaxed. It is also 
stimulant, carminative, and anti-emetic. Sage is also employed by th» cook 
as a flavouring agent, &c. 
Satureia juliana, called in Sicily erva de ibb‘si, is much used as a remedy 
in intermittent fevers—S. hortensis, Summer Savory, and S. montana, 
Winter Savory, are in common use by the cook for flavouring. 
Scutellaria.—The substance termed seutellarin is obtained from S, lateri- 
flora. It is said to be a nervine stimulant. 
Thymus vulgaris, Common or Garden Thym,>, yields by distillation the 
volatile oil known as Oil of Thyme, which is offizial in the United States 
Pharmacopeeia ; it is a powerful local stimulant. It is chiefl~ used in 
veterinary practice. Itisalso employed for scenting svaps. (See Origanum.) 
The stearoptene obtained from oil of thyme, and known 9s thymol, is a 
powerful disinfectant, and is employed, like earbolic acid, for surgical 
dressings. It is official in the British Pharmacopeeia, and is derived not 
only from Thymus vulgaris, but also from Monarda punctata, another Labiate 
plant, and Carum Ajowan, of the order Umbellifere. This and other species 
of Thymus are also employed by the cook as flavouring agents, &c. (See 
Properties and Uses, p. 642.) 
Trichostemma lanatum.—A decoction of the leaves of this plant, called 
by the Mexicans Romero, is used to impart a black colour to the hair, and 
to promote its growth. 
Order 5. PLANTAGINACES, the Ribwort Order. —Cha- 
racter.— Herbs, generally without aerial stems (fig. 1029). 
Leaves commonly ribbed and radical (fig. 1029). Flowers 
usually spiked (fig. 415) and perfect (fig. 1030), or rarely 
solitary, and sometimes unisexual. Calyx persistent, 4-partite, 
imbricate (fig. 1030). Corolla dry and membranous, persistent, 
4-partite (fig. 1030). Stamens equal in number to the divisions 
of the corolla, and alternate with them (jig. 1030) ; filaments 
long and slender; anthers versatile. Ovary simple, but spuri- 
ously 2- or sometimes 4-celled from the prolongation of processes 
from the placenta; style and stigma entire (fig. 1030), or the 
Pez 
