HOLY THISTLE HONEYSUCKLE. 133 



mallow. The violet flowers are also used for colouring 

 purposes. 



Distinctive character The dried flowers are deep 

 purplish black about 2^- inches in diameter, united 

 with the stamens, which form a tube, the one-celled 

 reniform anthers remaining free. The corolla, freed 

 from the calyx, is usually sold. 



HOLY THISTLE. Carbenla benedicta, Berul. 



N.O. Composite. 



Syn. Cnicus benedictus, Gaertn ; Blessed Thistle, 

 Carduus benedictus, Steud. 



Part used Herb. 



Action Tonic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue. In dys- 

 pepsia, intermittent fevers, and loss of appetite it is 

 found very useful. The warm infusion i ounce to a 

 pint of boiling water in doses of a wineglassful will 

 be found of value in breaking up colds ; it acts also well 

 in menstrual derangements due to colds, &c. 



Preparation Fluid extract : Dose, -1 drachm. 



Distinctive character Leaves greyish green, thin 

 and brittle, with prominent pale veinlets, clasping the 

 stem, the margins irregularly toothed, each tooth ending 

 in a spine. Flowerheads about I inch long and if 

 inch broad. Fruits cylindrical, inch long, finely 

 ribbed longitudinally with an outer long and inner short 

 row of stiff bristles within the toothed crown of the 

 fruit. Involucral scales ovate, terminating in a long 

 bristle. Taste, very bitter. Odour, none. 



HONEYSUCKLE. Lonicera Capri folium, Linn. 



N.O. Caprifoliocea. 



Syn. Italian Honeysuckle, Meadow Trefoil, Pericly- 

 menum. 



Parts used Flowerg, leavs. 



Action Expectorant, laxative. The flowers, in the 

 form of a syrup, have been used successfully in disorders 



