114 MASTERWORT. 



Medicinal Properties and Uses. — This plant appears to be 

 unduly neglected in the present day. The root is a useful 

 aromatic tonic and stimulant, and has much analogy with 

 Angelica. By the ancients * it was considered stomachic, diu- 

 retic, diaphoretic, sialogogue, expectorant, and emmenagogue. 

 Forestus -j- speaks of its efficacy in hysteria, and Hoffmann J 

 had such an high opinion of its virtues, that he calls it a divine 

 remedy in colics and flatulencies ; he also praises its effects in 

 paralysis, apoplexy, suppression of the menses, dropsy, and in- 

 termittent fevers. Lange § also attributes to it equal efficacy 

 with bark in intermittent, especially quartan fevers. Decker |j 

 used it with success against paralysis of the tongue, and Cullen 

 considers it a useful masticatory in tooth-ache. Chomel^f, 

 moreover, recommends the decoction in retention of urine and 

 nephritis. Externally, the powdered root has been sprinkled 

 upon foul atonic ulcers to promote their cicatrization, and S. 

 Pauli made an ointment of it with lard, which he used in the 

 treatment of some cutaneous affections, as ringworm. 



The root may be given in substance to the amount of one to 

 three scruples, and to form an infusion, twice this quantity 

 should be employed. The infusion in wine is reported to have 

 cured agues, and the alcoholic tincture is well deserving of trial 

 in some of the above mentioned diseases. 



* The high opinion once entertained of its efficacy against the plague, 

 venomous bites, and mortal poisons, may justly create a smile. Gerard is 

 very careful to inform us, that " Imperatoria is not only good against all 

 poison, but also singular against all corrupt and naughty aire and infection 

 of the pestilence, if it be drunken with wine. The roots and leaves stamped, 

 dissolve and cure pestilentiall carbuncles and blotches. It greatly helpeth 

 such as have taken great squats, bruses, or falls from some high place. 

 The root with his leaves stamped, and laid vpon the members infected, 

 cureth the bitings of mad dogs, and all other venomous beasts." — Herb. em. 

 1001. 



-j- Opera, lib. xxviii. obs. 32. 



J Officin. lib. iii. c. 116. 



§ Domest. p. 141. 



|| Exercit. Med. Pract. p. m. 100. 



«([ Usuelles, torn. i. p. 553. 



