32 BLACK HAW BLACK ROOT. 



BLACK HAW. Viburnum pruni folium, Linn. 



(And other species.) N.O. Caprifoliacece. 



Syn. Stagbush, American Sloe. 

 Part used Bark of root. 



Action Uterine tonic, sedative, nervine, anti-spas- 

 modic. Largely used for preventing miscarriage, in 

 which cases it should be given four or five weeks 

 previous to the expected event. It checks pains and 

 bleeding, and is an excellent remedy for dysmenorrhoea 

 and the after pains of childbirth. The infusion of i 

 ounce to a pint of boiling water is taken in tablespoon- 

 ful doses. 



Preparations Powdered bark: Dose, $-1 drachm. 

 Fluid extract : Dose, -1 drachm. Solid extract (ale.) : 

 Dose, 2-4 grains. 



Distinctive character Young bark in thin quilled 

 pieces, glossy purplish brown with scattered warts. 

 Old bark greyish brown, inner surface white and 

 smooth, the thin corky layer easily separable from the 

 green layer. Fracture short. Taste, astringent and 

 bitter. Odour, slightly valerianic. The root bark is 

 cinnamon-coloured and very bitter. 



The bark of a species of Acer is sometimes substituted 

 for this bark. 



BLACK ROOT. Leptaadra Virglnlca, Nutt. 



N.O. Scrophulariacecs . 



Syn. Culver's Root, Culver's Physic, Physic Root, 

 Veronica Virginica, L. 



Part used Root. 



Action Cathartic, diaphoretic, tonic, antiseptic. 

 Used principally for its cathartic effect as it acts with 

 certainty and without griping. In fevers it is invaluable 

 as a cathartic, purifying the blood and removing all 

 morbid obstructions in a mild natural manner. It is 

 said to act especially on the intestines and therefore 



