182 



COMPOSITE. 



Constituents. — A volatile oil, a bitter principle termed achillein, and 

 common vegetable constituents. 



Preparations. — Infusion, expresssd ju.ice, and volatile oil. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — Yarrow is said to be stimulant, tonic, and 

 astringent, and to exert a special influence upon the pehic organs. It 

 has been employed in digestive disorders, in menstrual irregularities, in 

 hemorrhages due to relaxed conditions of mucous membranes, in catarrhal 

 affections, etc. 



TAN ACETUM. —Tansy. 



Tanacetum vulgare Linnc. — Tajistj. 



Description. — Heads many-flowered, nearly discoid, all fertile ; the mar- 

 ginal flowers in a single series, 3- to 4-toothed. Scales of the involucre 

 imbricated, dry. Beceptacle convex, naked. Achenia angled or ribbed 



with a large epigynous disk. 

 Pappus minute or none. 



An herbaceous perennial, 2 

 to 3 feet high. Leaves nearly 

 glabrous, bipinnately parted, 

 the segments cut - toothed. 

 Heads yellow, in a dense cor- 

 ymb, aj3j)earing in summer. 



Habitat. — Indigenous to 

 Europe, but freely naturalized 

 about dwellings and in waste 

 places. 



Parts Used. — The leaves 

 and tojDS — United States Phar- 

 macopceia. 



Constituents. — A volatile oil, 

 a bitter principle termed tan- 

 acetin, and common vegetable 

 constituents. 



Preparations. — The infusion 



Fig. 136.— Tanacetum Vulgare. and volatile oil. 



Iledical Projyerties. — Tansy has a peculiar strong fragrant odor and a 

 warm, bitter, somewhat acrid and aromatic taste. It is commonly employed 

 in domestic practice to stimulate menstruation. The oil ajDpears to be 

 largely used as an abortifacient, and there are upon record numerous cases 

 in which it has been used for this purpose with fatal effect. The bruised 

 leaves are often applied locally for the relief of colic pains, bruises, sprains, 

 etc. A spirituous infusion is sometimes employed in domestic practice in 

 intermittent fever. 



