224 COWSLIP. 



bling anise, and has a slightly astringent and bitter taste. The 

 leaves are herbaceous and nearly scentless. The flowers im- 

 part their virtues both to water and spirit, and are used to 

 tincture certain liquors and syrups of a fine yellow colour. 

 Cartheuser has obtained from the flowers a fourth part of 

 aqueous extract, and about a sixth of resinous extract *. 



For medical use the flowers are directed to be freed from 

 their calyces, dried quickly, and preserved in a dry place. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — The Cowslip though once 

 highly celebrated for its narcotic, nervine, and anodyne virtues, 

 has for many years fallen into disrepute with the faculty, though 

 still employed as a rustic medicine. As already mentioned, 

 when speaking of the old name of the plant, it was thought pe- 

 culiarly efficacious in paralytic affections. The distilled water 

 of the plant, rubbed on the forehead, was reputed to disperse 

 head-aches f. The same was affirmed of the expressed juice 

 of the leaves and flowers, mixed with milk, and taken in the 

 dose of one or two ounces J. Bergius recommends an infusion 

 of the flowers in rheumatic affections, and Boerhaave§ and 

 Linnaeus esteem it useful in assuaging pain and provoking 

 sleep. 



The root excites the pituitary membrane of the nose, and has 

 been used in its powdered form as a sternutatory ; and Boer- 

 haave affirms that the infusion of it in vinegar, introduced by 

 aspiration into the nasal fossae, has in some cases relieved tooth- 

 ache. Chomel attributes to the root the property of dissipating 

 vertigo, hemicrania, and other nervous symptoms resulting from 

 a suppression of the menses. The flowers are certainly indued 

 with a gently narcotic and sedative property, and we are in- 

 formed on credible authority that they will frequently, in deli- 

 cate habits, relieve pain and induce sleep when other narcotics 

 would only irritate and distress the patient. 



Beside the infusion, a distilled water, a conserve, and a syrup 

 have been severally recommended. 



INFUSION OF COWSLIP. 

 Take of dried Cowslip flowers, half an ounce ; 



Boiling water one pint and a half. 



* Flore Med. torn. •/. p, 250. 



t Matthiolus in Dioscor. p. 802. 



X Hist. Plant, torn. ii. p. 1082. 



§ Plant, hort. L. B. p. 281. 



