NETTLE NIGHT-BLOOMING CEREUS. 197 



NETTLE. Urtlca dloica, Linn. 



N '- 



5yn.-Stinging Nettle. 



Parts used Flowers, leaves, seeds. 



Action Diuretic, astringent, tonic. The herb makes 

 a nice botanic beer, and is also used as a medicine in 

 nettle-rash. The seeds are used in consumption. The 

 infusion of either herb or seed of i ounce to a pint of 

 boiling water is taken in wineglassful doses. 



Preparation Fluid extract, herb : Dose,-i drachm. 



Distinctive character Stem 2-3 feet high, quad- 

 rangular, with opposite, stalked, heart-shaped or lanceo- 

 late-oval leaves, serrated at the margin. The flowers 

 are small, green, and four-parted, the male flowers 

 arranged in erect, and the female in reflexed, panicles 

 longer than the leaf-stalks. Fruit one-seeded. When 

 growing it is easily recognised by its yellow, creeping 

 root, that of Urtica urens, which is only a foot high, 

 and is usually a garden weed, being white and not 

 creeping, and the inflorescence not so long as the leaf- 

 stalks. 



NIGHT-BLOOMING CEREUS. 



Cere us grandi floras, Linn. 

 N.O. Cactacta. 



Syn. Sweetscented Cactus, Cactus grandiflorus, Miller. 

 Parts used Herb, flowers. 



Action Cardiac stimulant and tonic, diuretic. It 

 gives prompt relief in most cardiac diseases, such as 

 palpitation, angina pectoris, cardiac neuralgia, &c. Also 

 useful in prostatic diseases, irritable bladder, and con- 

 gested kidneys. Prof. Locke recommends it for nervous 

 menstrual headache. 



Preparation Fluid extract (made from fresh plant) : 

 Dose, 2-10 drops. 



Distinctive character The stem and flowers are 

 usually sold crushed and preserved in spirit. The stems 



