50 CALABAR BEAN CALAMINT CALAJvitJS. 



CALABAR BEAN. Physostigma venenosum, Balf. 

 Syn.-Ordeal Bean, Chopnut. N '- L W*- 

 Part used Seeds. 



Action Sedative, myotic. It allays extreme nervous 

 irritation, but should be given with great care, and 

 only under legal medical advice, as large doses have a 

 poisonous effect. Mostly used in combination with 

 Prickly Ash or Belladonna. Its chief use is in eye 

 diseases as a local myotic. 



Preparations Fluid extract : Dose, 1-3 drops. Solid 

 extract B.P. : Dose, J-i grain. Alkaloid Physostigmine 

 B.P. : Dose, -$'-$ grain. Tincture U.S. P. : Dose, 

 15 drops. 



Distinctive character Seeds dark brownish or 

 blackish brown, i-ij inch long, -f inch broad, i inch 

 thick, oblong with rounded ends, or slightly kidney- 

 shaped, the hilum extending along the whole convex 

 side. Cotyledons white, turning yellow when touched 

 with strong Potash solution. POISON. 



CALAMINT. Calaminiha officiaalis, Moench. 



N.O. Labiate. 



Syn. Common Calamint, Basil Thyme, Calamintha 

 wenthifolia, Host., Mountain Mint. 



Part used Herb. 



Action Diaphoretic, expectorant. 



Distinctive character Leaves broadly ovate, slight- 

 ly serrate, stalked. Flowers pale purple. Calyx with 

 upper teeth triangular, erect, fringed with hairs, lower 

 teeth longer, awl-shaped. Taste, aromatic. Odour, 

 mint-like. 



CALAMUS. Acorus Calamus, Linn. 



N.O. Aracttf. 

 Syn. Sweet Flag, Calamus aromaticus. 



Part used Root. 



Action Aromatic, carminative, and stomachic. Use- 

 ful in flatulence, wind, colic, ague, and dyspepsia, &c. 



