776 WEED FLORA OF IOWA 



Of the Phytolaccaceae, pokeweed (Phytolacca decandra) has long 

 been considered of medicinal value. The berries, collected when 

 mature, are rated at 5 cents per pound; the roots at 2 to 5 cents; 

 although not official they are the basis of remedies for various 

 diseases of the skin and blood, especially in allaying rheumatism. 



In the order Caryophyllaceae is the corn-cockle (Agrostemma 

 githago), the powdered seeds of which are the basis of a remedy 

 used to cleanse the blood in certain skin diseases. 



Chickweed (Stellaria media) formerly had some reputation as 

 an alterative but is now used very seldom. 



Among the Cruciferae are several weeds that are recognized as 

 medicinal. The most important are the mustards, the seeds of 

 which are official and sell at 3 to 6 cents per pound. Both the black 

 mustard (Brassica nigra) and the white mustard (B. alba) are col- 

 lected for this purpose and are used principally in making plasters 

 and poultices but occasionally are administered in cases of dys- 

 pepsia. They are emetic when given in large doses. 



The shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) is not official. 

 At one time it was considered of value as a tonic, astringent, and 

 antiscorbutic but has fallen into disuse except when occasionally 

 applied as an astringent in hemorrhages. 



Among the Malvaceae is a dooryard weed, common mallow (Malva 

 rotundifolia) , the whole plant of which is sometimes applied locally 

 as a poultice or internally as a demulcent. 



A decoction of the dried plant of the evening primrose (Oenoth- 

 era biennis), a member of the Onagraceae, is a remedy in cases of 

 infantile eruptions, spasmodic asthma and bladder trouble. 



An introduced weed of the Leguminosae is noted; the yellow 

 sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis), the seeds of which boiled with 

 lard are sometimes made into a salve which is applied to ulcers 

 and open indolent sores, the remedy proving efficacious. 



Among the TJnibelliferae are the caraway (Carum carvi) , the root 

 of which is sometimes ground into a poultice and the fruit and 

 leaves of which are diuretic and stimulant; the poison hemlock 

 (Conium maoulatum), the root of which is deadly poisonous, al- 

 though the unripe fruit, dried and preserved, is official, selling at 

 8 cents per pound, and the leaves, though not official, are sometimes 

 applied in cases of rheumatism, neuralgia or asthma to sooth the 

 nerves; and the water hemlock (Cicuta maculata) , sometimes sub- 

 stituted for cowbane. 



