I06 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



mountain valleys, shooting up in a single stem, at the top of 

 which come out four leaves, and bearing white flowers which 

 appear between the leaves. The root is dark in color, bitter, 

 and poisonous. It is used, chiefly in decoction, externally in the 

 treatment of parasitic skin diseases, and in infected ulcers and 

 sores. It has also some reputation as an anthelmintic, 



CHRYSANTHEMUM CORONARIUM.— ^ ^ (T'ung- 

 hao), 3^ "^ (P'eng-hao). The Pentsao makes these two 

 identical, although the character 3^ also refers to Erigeron 

 and Conyza. Because the plant is said to bear some 

 resemblance to Artemisia stelleriana^ it is classed by the 

 Chinese among the Artemisics {^). While it is not considered 

 at all poisonous, its excessive use is said to result in a species 

 of intoxication. Its action is considered to be sedative, and 

 its use is thought to benefit the digestive and vital functions. 

 It is not employed in any particular class of diseases. 



CHRYSANTHEMUM SINENSE.— ^ 1^ (Chii-hua), 

 227. The character ^ is a general name for several kinds of 

 Composite plants, but is applied particularly to this one species, 

 which is indigenous to China, growing in a wild state in 

 several parts of the empire, especially the north. It has also 

 been cultivated from very ancient times as a favorite winter 

 flower, very many varieties being found in the Chinese gardens. 

 The wild plant is small, seldom exceeding one foot in height, 

 and late in the autumn bears small flower heads, the florets of 

 the disk being yellow, while those of the ray are rose colored. 

 A yellow flowered variety is also very common, is called at 

 Peking *]^ ^ ^ ^ (Hsiao-yeh-chii-hua), and may be Chrysan- 

 thenium indiaim. The Phitsao gives a large number of 

 alternative names, but the one at the head of this article is the 

 one by which the plant is universally known. The varieties 

 entering commerce are the ^'%1)c (Hang-chii-hua), or variety 

 from Hangchou ; the ^ ^ :i^ (Huang-chii-hua^ which by 

 some is considered to be Anthemis ; the tl" if ^ (Kan-chii-hua), 

 or "sweet chrysanthemum ; " and the ^^'^ (Pai-chii-hua), 

 or "white chrysanthemum." 



Some difference is made by the Chinese in the medical 

 uses of different varieties, although their therapeutical action 



