306 SOUTHERNWOOD. 



Medicinal Properties and Uses. — The Southernwood is 

 possessed of medicinal properties of considerable power, and 

 was formerly in great repute as a stomachic, deobstruent, 

 anthelmintic, and diuretic. It is supposed to stimulate the 

 whole system, the uterus in particular ; and the complaints 

 in which it promises to be beneficial are uterine obstructions, 

 flatulent colic, obstructions of urine, jaundice, and worms. 

 In the infused or theiform state it by no means constitutes 

 an useless medicine, and in this form the strength may be 

 varied according to the effect it is desired to produce. 

 It is a common domestic remedy for hysterics and worms, 

 and is considered to promote appetite. GeofTroy affirms that 

 it is useful as a vermifuge, both on account of its bitterness, 

 which is obnoxious to worms, and for its power of expelling 

 the tenacious slime in which those troublesome parasites are 

 frequently lodged. 



Externally, Southernwood is discutient and anodyne, and has 

 obtained some reputation in hepatic complaints and uterine 

 obstructions, used in the form of baths and fomentations ; like- 

 wise in the latter form to tumours and inflammatory swellings. 

 It was at one time extolled as a remedy for baldness, and to 

 promote the growth of hair, but its virtues in this respect are 

 at least doubtful. 



The conserve made by beating up the leaves with twice their 

 weight of refined sugar may be given in the dose of two drachms. 

 The dose of the powdered leaves and tops is from a scruple to a 

 drachm. Simon Pauli recommends the powder in the dose of a 

 drachm with as much nitre, as a remedy for suppression of urine 

 occasioned by calculus, but the nitre is probably the efficient 

 article. The infusion made in the manner of tea is given to the 

 extent of two ounces or more. 



WINE OF SOUTHERNWOOD. 



Take of Southernwood tops, dried two ounces. 



Cinnamon one ounce. 



Cloves two drachms. 



Sherry wine one pint. 



Digest for fourteen days, and filter. — A bitter stomachic, increasing the 

 appetite and promoting digestion. Dose, from one drachm to half an 

 ounce. 



