38 BROOKLIMB BROOM. 



BROOKLIME. Veronica Beccabunga, Linn. 



N.O. Sorophulariacea. 

 Syn. Water Pimpernel. 



Part used Herb. 



Action Alterative, diuretic. Is given in scurvy, 

 impurity of blood, &c. An infusion of the leaves of 

 i ounce to i pint of boiling water is taken in wineglass- 

 ful deses frequently. 



Distinctive character Leaves oval, obtuse, stalked, 

 crenate-serrate, opposite, not hairy. Flowers blue, with 

 two stamens, on short, axillary, loose racemes. Fruit 

 two-celled, notched at the apex, roundish. Taste, 

 bitter, slightly acrid. Odour, none. 



BROOM. Cytisus scoparlus, Link. 



N.O. 



Syn. Broomtops, Irish Broom. Spartium scoparium, 

 Linn. 



Part used Tops. 



Action Diuretic, cathartic. Used with advantage in 

 dropsy. The dose of the infusion of i ounce to a pint 

 of boiling water is a wineglassful taken frequently. 



Preparations Fluid extract : Dose, -1 drachm. 

 Juice B. P.: Dose, 1-2 drachms. Infusion B. P. : Dose, 

 1-2 ounces. 



Distinctive character Stem angular, five-sided, 

 slightly winged, dark green, branching at an acute 

 angle, fVi inch in diameter. Pods flat, blackish, i$ inch 

 long and J inch wide. Flowers yellow, brown when 

 dry, papilionaceous. Taste, bitterish, unpleasant. 

 Odour, none. 



