780 WEED FLORA OF IOWA 



or agueweed, indicate the uses of the plant. It is tonic, diaphoretic, 

 emetic, or cathartic according to the size of the dose administered ; 

 the root of the white snakeroot (E. urticae folium) is also of com- 

 mercial importance, being rated at 2 to 8 cents per pound. The 

 Joe-Pye weed (E. purpureum) has uses somewhat similar to the 

 preceding but is also a diuretic and is valuable in cases of jaundice, 

 dropsy, rheumatism or gout. 



The leaves and flowering tops of the scaly grindelia (Grindelia 

 squarrosa) are the basis of a remedy against asthma and are also 

 sometimes made into a poultice to apply in cases of ivy poisoning. 

 The sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) is a tonic and diaphoretic; 

 the powdered flowers are sometimes snuffed to relieve affections of 

 the nasal passages. The wild lettuce (Lactuca canadensis), once 

 considered a substitute for opium, is an anodyne, a diaphoretic, 

 and a diuretic, and is applied principally in nervous complaints. 

 Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is official in the U. S. P., the leaves 

 and flowering tops being rated at 3 to 6 cents per pound. It is a 

 well known but poisonous vermifuge. 



The root of the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), collected in 

 autumn, is official, selling at 4 to 6 cents per pound. A decoction 

 from this is a tonic in cases of dyspepsia and diseases of the liver. 

 A hair tonic is also made from it. 



Undoubtedly this list could be greatly extended were it possible 

 to obtain information in regard to all cases of home use of native 

 drug plants. Unfortunately few written records are obtainable 

 and one is obliged to depend largely on tradition handed down by 

 word of mouth. 



There is undeniably an opening in Iowa for raising and market- 

 ing medicinal plants and a few words in this line may not be out 

 of place at this point. 



For the profitable marketing of drug plants it is necessary that 

 the plants be suitably prepared, that is, that they be thoroughly 

 cleaned and well cured. To be cleaned they must be freed from 

 all foreign substances, whether dirt, sand, insects, or fragments of 

 other plants ; when cured properly, they have been picked at the 

 right season, and have been dried so as to retain so far as possible 

 their characteristic color. If the leafy part is sought for the trade, 

 the plant should be cut when in flower or before seeds have formed, 

 then dried in gentle heat (not higher than 125° F.) so as to lose as 

 little as possible of the volatile principle. In some plants, as cow- 

 bane, the unripe fruit, well dried and preserved, has value officially, 



