Botanic Remedies 231 



is also its oil. OIL OF CURLED MINT is derived 

 from Meniha crispa, official in England and Russia. 



MENTHOL, a stearoptene, is derived from pepper- 

 mint oil of any origin. It is too much of a gastro- 

 enteric irritant for internal use, and it is absorbed 

 slowly; but from the skin it is rapidly absorbed and 

 it depresses the sensory endings. It is employed 

 superficially in the treatment of neuralgia of pe- 

 ripheral origin. Combined with camphor, chloral, 

 or phenol, and placed in the cavity of a carious 

 tooth, it relieves the aching. It has been applied 

 to boils in an effort to abort them, sometimes with 

 success. Equal parts of menthol, thymol, and 

 hydrated chloral, rubbed together until liquefied, 

 is the basis of several formulae, variously medicated 

 with morphine, atropine, and cocaine, and used 

 externally in rheumatism and other painful affec- 

 tions. Dissolved in oil, menthol enters into various 

 formulae used in laryngology. CORYFIN is an acid 

 ester of menthol. 



Peppermint and spearmint are agreeable aromatic 

 stimulants and carminatives adapted to the treat- 

 ment of many minor gastrointestinal derangements. 



Nepeta cataria, CATNIP, is used in hot infusion 

 for infantile colic. Ocimum basilicum, SWEET BASIL, 

 has an action similar to lavender. Origanum vulgare, 

 WILD MARJORAM, is stimulant, tonic, and emmena- 

 gogue. SWEET MARJORAM, 0. Majorana, acts simi- 

 larly. Rosmarinus officinalis, ROSEMARY, is used 

 principally as a perfume. 



Scutellaria lateriftora, SKULLCAP, formerly official 

 but only in the U. S., has been deleted from the 

 U. S. P. IX. Very slightly aromatic, but quite 

 bitter. Contains no active ingredient, so far as 



