258 SHEPHERD'S PURSE SIEGESBECKIA. 



Distinctive character The stem is about 6- 10 inches 

 high. The leaves are halberd-shaped, about i$ inch 

 long and -J-f inch broad. Flowers small, greenish, 

 becoming red when in fruit, borne in leafless whorls, 

 the male and female flowers on different individuals. 

 Taste, acid. Odour, none. 



SHEPHERD'S-PURSE, 



Capsella Bursa-pastoris, Medic. 

 N.O. Crucifera. 

 Syn. Shepherd's Sprout, Mother's Heart. 



Part used Herb. 



Action Antiscorbutic, stimulant, diuretic. Chiefly 

 used in kidney complaints and dropsy, &c. Also useful 

 in chronic diarrhoea. The infusion of i ounce to a pint 

 of boiling water is taken in wineglassful doses. 



Preparation Fluid extract : Dose, J-i drachm. 



Distinctive character A common weed, with 

 leaves irregular in character, somewhat lanceolate, and 

 either entire or much toothed, but always recognisable 

 by its triangular seed pods. The flowers are small and 

 white. Taste, pungent. Odour, cress-like. 



SIEGESBECKIA. Siegesbeckla orientalls, Linn. 



N.O. Composite. 

 Part used Plant. 



Action Alterative, antisyphilitic. Has been used 

 in leprous, syphilitic, and venereal skin diseases, and 

 contains a white crystalline body resembling salicylic 

 acid. 



Distinctive character Stem usually about 2 feet 

 high, branched. Leaves opposite, broadly triangular, 

 coarsely toothed. Flowerheads small, leafy, panicled, 



