SORREL SOUTHERNWOOD. 265 



remedies, it may be given in pulmonary complaints, 

 consumption, and bleeding of lungs. The powdered root 

 also makes an excellent poultice for bruises, piles, 

 inflammations, and tumours. The infusion of i ounce 

 to a pint of boiling water is taken in wineglassful doses. 

 Also used externally as an injection. 



Distinctive character Rhizome cylindrical, some- 

 what flattened above, with circular stem scars at inter- 

 vals, about inch in diameter and 2-3 inches or more 

 long, with transverse ridges. Fracture short, waxy, 

 yellowish. Taste, mucilaginous, sweetish, then bitter 

 and acrid. Odour, none. 



SORREL, Rumex acetosa, Linn. 



N.O. Polygonacece. 

 Part used Leaves. 



Action Refrigerant, diuretic. May be used as a 

 cooling drink in all febrile diseases. The leaves are 

 occasionally eaten as a salad or boiled as spinach. In 

 cutaneous tumours the following preparation has been 

 used : Burnt Alum i drachm, Citric Acid 2 drachms, 

 inspissated juice of Sorrel i ounce, water to 10 ounces ; 

 applied as a paint. 



Distinctive character Leaves oblong, arrow-shaped 

 below, rather firm, with a broad-toothed, membranous, 

 stipular sheath round the stem at its base. Taste, acid 

 and astringent. Odour, none. 



SOUTHERNWOOD. Artemisia Abrotanum, Linn. 



N.O. Composite. 

 Syn. Old Man, Lad's Love. 



Part used Herb. 



Action Stimulant, emmenagogue, antiseptic, deter- 

 gent. This well-known garden plant is used to promote 



