156 COLONSAY 



shire for the flowers from \vhich the oil is distilled. A 

 decoction of the leaves of Rosemary is said to relieve head- 

 aches, and also to promote the growth of hair and cure 

 baldness. The leaves and tops of Horehound (Graf an Ban, 

 C.), in addition to possessing tonic and laxative properties, 

 have long been a popular remedy for asthma and coughs. 

 The beverage Horehound beer is made from it. Salvia 

 splendens (brilliant scarlet), S. patens (lovely blue), and many 

 other species decorate gardens. 



Mentha, L. 



Various species Pennyroyal (Borragach, L), Peppermint, 

 Spearmint, etc. have long been cultivated as carminative 

 aromatics. For culinary purposes Spearmint is preferred, 

 as in sauces, salads, etc. ; but for medicine Peppermint and 

 Pennyroyal are more efficacious. A conserve of the leaves 

 is very grateful, and the distilled waters, both simple and 

 spirituous, are very agreeable. The virtues of Mint are 

 those of warm stomachic and carminative. For winter use 

 the herb should be cut in a very dry season, and just when 

 they are in flower ; if cut in the wet they will turn black 

 and be of little worth. W. 



M, spicata, L. Spearmint. Cartal Garaidh. (Mionnt 

 Garaidh.) Site of old garden, Pairc-dhubh. Cultivated in 

 gardens. Per., August. 



M. piperita, L. Peppermint. (Mionntuinn.) Burnside, 

 Kiloran Bay. Formerly grown in Kiloran garden for the 

 distillation of peppermint cordial for medicinal use. Per., 

 August. 



M. aquatica, L., a liirsuta (Huds.). Water Mint. Cartal 

 Uisge. This kind (irrespective of variety), was collected 

 in summer and used for flavouring both in the green state 

 and dried. A few sprigs were tied with a piece of thread 

 and immersed in the vessel with the food that was cooking 



