196 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



and anthelmintic. They should not be used to excess, as they 

 are considered to have some deleterious properties. 



GLYCYRRHIZA.— -H* ^ (Kan-ts'ao), 587. Other names 

 are ^ t (Mi-kan), ^ ^ (Mi-ts'ao), ^ ^ (Mei-ts'ao), t^ ^ 

 (Lu-ts'ao), g 5I (Ling-t'ung), and p ^ (Kiio-lao). This last, 

 name is applied to the plant on account of its great virtues as a 

 remedy. The drug is very highly prized by the Chinese, and 

 enters into the composition of very many prescriptions. The 

 most common species that supply the Chinese h'corzce root are 

 Glycyy'rhiza echinata and Glycyrrhiza glabra^ both of which 

 are found growing plentifully in northern China. Quantities 

 are also brought from Mongolia, especially from the region 

 about Kokonor. In fact, the plant seems to grow extensively 

 throughout all the region of Central Asia. The root is com- 

 monly sold in long pieces, dry, wrinkled, and red on the surface, 

 and yellow, fibrous, and tough in the interior. The taste is 

 disagreeably sweet and slightly mucilaginous. It stands next 

 to ginseng in importance in Chinese pharmacy, being the 

 great corrective adjunct and harmonizing ingredient in a large 

 number of recipes. Like most celebrated Chinese drugs, it is 

 credited with the property of rejuvenating those who consume 

 it for a long time. The roots, twigs, and efflorescence are used 

 in medicine. Tonic, alexipharmic, alterative, and expectorant 

 properties are ascribed to the drug. It is used to allay thirst, 

 feverishness, pain, cough, and distress of breathing. It is 

 specially prescribed for children, and is used in a large number 

 of their maladies, but as it is usually exhibited in combination 

 with other drugs, it can readily be understood why purely 

 imaginary virtues should be ascribed to it. Locally, it is 

 applied, mixed with honey, to burns, boils, and other sores. 

 The properties ascribed to the twigs and flowers do not differ in 

 any essential respect from those ascribed to the root. 



GLYPTOSTROBUS HETEROPHYLLUS {Taxodium 

 heterophylluni). — 7|C |^ (,Shui-sung). The P^ntsao says that 

 this grows on the shores of the southern seas in tlie water, and 

 looks like a pine. Hence the name. It is prescribed in animal 

 bites and in the dropsy of pregnant women (hydropsaninion ?). 



