778 WEED FLORA OF IOWA 



at 2!/2 to 5 cents and the flowers at 25 to 75 cents per pound. A 

 tincture from these is a recognized remedy in coughs and catarrh. 

 It quiets nervous irritation and relieves inflammation. 



The uses of the plantains (Plantago) are various. The fresh 

 leaves are sometimes applied to wounds or chronic sores. The 

 seeds steeped in milk form a remedy used in checking hemorrhages 

 from mucous surfaces and in dysentery. Almost every part of the 

 plant at some time has been recorded as medicinal. The fibers from 

 the leaves were thought to be an unfailing remedy for toothache, 

 the fiber, however, being placed in the ear on the side of the tooth 

 affected rather than about the tooth itself.. Plantain is also an 

 antidote to snake bites. A decoction of the root was sometimes ad- 

 ministered in cases of intermittent fever. 



In short it would seem possible for one to have quite a complete 

 medical dispensary in his own dooryard without care or expense. 



The family Compositae undoubtedly contains a larger number of 

 medicinal genera than any other plant family. 



A decoction made from the whole herb of yarrow (Achillea 

 millefolium) is a bladder medicine and is administered sometimes 

 in cases of hemorrhage or catarrh. The ragweed (Ambrosia ar- 

 temisiae folia) is used in similar cases. The mayweed (Anthemis 

 cotula) furnishes a bitter stimulant and tonic in aid of digestion. 

 From the leaves may be made a fermentation which relieves pain 

 and inflammation, sprains and bruises ; none of the last three named 

 is official. 



The burdock (Arctium lappa), however, is recognized in the 

 U. S. P. Its fresh root gathered in autumn retails at 3 to 8 cents 

 and seeds at 5 to 10 cents per pound. These are both useful in 

 preparations against blood and skin diseases. The leaves are some- 

 times applied externally as cooling poultices. 



An infusion of the root of chicory (Cichorvum intyous) is some- 

 times offered to increase the appetite and to aid digestion. A decoc- 

 tion from fireweed (Erechtites hieracifolia) is an alterative and is 

 applied in cases of dysentery. The oil of horseweed (Erigeron 

 canadense) is official, the herb being rated at 6 to 8 cents per pound. 

 The plant has been known locally as "blood stanch" and, as the 

 name implies, was used in arresting hemorrhages and bleeding from 

 wounds. 



According to MillspaUgh this use of the plants is practiced today 

 among the North American Indians. The oil only is official. The 

 various local names of Eupatorium perfoliatum, boneset, feverwort, 



