CALAMINT. 133 



Medical Properties and Uses. — This plant is reputed ex- 

 citant and nervine, but as it enjoys these properties in common 

 with many other of the lahiatce, without any remarkable pre- 

 eminence, it has fallen into disuse, except as a rustic medicine. 

 Nevertheless EtmuUer considers it as the best of the mints, and 

 peculiarly qualified to correct acidities and flatulence, and to 

 prevent the diseases arising from this source. He also extols 

 its emmenagogue and diuretic effects. He says of it, " in 

 asthma and shortness of breath it is no common remedy, especi- 

 ally if boiled in oxymel, whether these diseases arise from a fault 

 of the stomach or an ulcer in the lungs ; in either case it cuts 

 and dilutes the thick and viscid pituita, and renders it more 

 easy to be evacuated." Geoflfroy* speaks of it in similar terms 

 of praise, and recommends it to be employed externally, ma- 

 cerated either in water or wine, in form of a fomentation, to as- 

 suage severe pains and to promote suppressed menstruation. 



The peasantry of some countries apply the herb bruised to 

 parts affected with rheumatic pains : this application not only 

 acts as a rubefacient but raises blisters. They open these 

 vesicles, and letting the serous matter escape, often find their 

 malady relieved f. 



A distilled water and a syrup were ordered to be kept for 

 use, but the infusion or tea, was the most celebrated, and was 

 taken in large quantities. 



• Materia Medica, Vol. iii. p. 240. 



f Flore Economique des Plantes qui croissent aux environs de Pari*, 

 p. 367. 



