304 WITCH HAZEL WOOD BETONY. 



WITCH HAZEL. Hamamelis Vlrginiana, Linn. 

 Syn. Spotted Alder. N -- HamanulidocM. 



Parts used Bark, leaves. 



Action Astringent, tonic, sedative. Most valuable 

 in checking internal and external haemorrhages, also in 

 the treatment of piles. A decoction made from the 

 bark or leaves makes an excellent injection for bleeding 

 piles. An ointment made by adding i part fluid extract 

 bark to 9 parts simple ointment is also used as a local 

 application. The distilled extract from the fresh leaves 

 and young twigs forms an excellent household remedy 

 for internal or external use. For varicose veins it 

 should be applied on a lint bandage, kept constantly 

 moist. The concentration "Hamamelin" is used for 

 piles mostly in form of suppositories. 



Preparations Fluid extract, bark : Dose,-i drachm. 

 Fluid extract B.P., leaves : Dose, 15-30 drops. Dis- 

 tilled extract: Dose, ^-2 drachms. Ointment B.P. 

 Hamamelin: Dose, 1-3 grains. Water U.S. P. : Dose, 

 2 drachms. Tincture B.P. : Dose, J-i drachm. 



Distinctive character Bark in quilled pieces about 

 g inch thick, from 2-4 or more inches long, the outer 

 surface greyish, scaly, with transverse lenticels, pinkish 

 brown, the inner surface striated longitudinally. Frac- 

 ture fibrous and laminated. Taste, astringent. Odour, 

 feeble. The leaves are broadly obovate, usually 3 or 5 

 inches long, and about 2-2^ inches broad, the margins 

 serrate-dentate, feather-veined, the erect veins pro- 

 minent below, each ending in a tooth. The hairs, 

 when remaining on the dried, rather brittle, leaves, are 

 stellate. 



WOOD BETONY. Stachys Betonlca, Benth. 



N.O. Labiate. 

 Syn. Bishopswort, Betonica officinalis, Linn. 



Part used Herb. 



Action Aromatic, astringent, alterative. Used as a 

 tonic in dyspepsia and as an alterative in rheumatism, 



