MEDICINAL HERBS. 325 



cinal virtues are diaphoretic, tonic, and in larger doses, 

 emetic and aperient. It is principally used as a diaphoret- 

 ic in colds, catarrhs, and rheumatism, in intermittent, 

 remittent, and inflammatory diseases, or given cold as a 

 tonic in dyspepsia. 



Boneset can be raised by transplanting the roots, or 

 sowing the seed in spring. 



Borage, (JSorrago offieinalis^ is an annual European 

 plant. The tender tops, young leaves, and flowers, are 

 sometimes used as a salad by the French, and boiled by 

 the Italians. 



Medicinally it was formerly thought endowed with very 

 great virtues, and numbered among the four cordial 

 flowers. 



Old Gerard says : " Those of our time do use the flowers 

 in salads, and to exhilarate and to make the minde glad. 

 There be many things made of them used for the comfort 

 of the heart, to drive away sorrow and increase the joy 

 of the minde." The plant is not much used now except 

 as an ingredient in the drink called " a cool tankard," 

 made of wine, water, lemon-juice, and sugar, to which a 

 few of the tender leaves seem to give additional coolness. 



Sow early in spring, broadcast, and a little thinning 

 and weeding is all the attention that will be needed. 



Caraway) [Co/mm Caruij) is a native of England and 

 various other countries of Europe. It is a biennial, Um- 

 belliferous plant, well known to the ancients. Pliny men- 

 tions it. Caraway is cultivated for its aromatic seeds, 

 which are useful in confectionery, as in cakes, comfits, 

 etc., and the leaves are sometimes used in soups. The 

 roots are said to excel those of the parsnip, being formerly 

 cooked and used in the same manner. Medicinally the 

 seeds are used in an infusion for flatulence. Sow in au- 

 tumn, or early spring, and thin so as to give each plant 

 ten inches of room. Keep free from weeds. Plants sown 

 in autumn will give seed the next season. 



