spECKl A MOHEGAN-PEQUOT DIARY 265 



The leaves of rattlesnake plantain {Epipactis pubescens) are made 

 into a mash to prevent sore mouth in babies. 



Boneset {Eupatoriutn petjoliatum) tea, as in most parts of the east, 

 is drunk for many ailments, colds, fever, and general illness. 



Motherwort {Leonurus cardiaca) (European) is steeped to make a 

 tea to be drunk by women for some of their peculiar ills. 



"Elder blow," flowers of the elder (Sambucus canadensis), is made 

 into tea to be given to babies for colic. 



The bark of the elder made into a tea is an excellent purgative; 

 when scraped upward from the branch it acts as an emetic, when 

 scraped off downward it is a physic. 



Spikenard {Sinilacina racemosa) leaves are steeped to make a 

 cough medicine. The root is steeped for a medicine to strengthen 

 the stomach. 



Pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellata) is steeped and applied to 

 blisters. 



" Fire bush " (Eroinjmus atropurpurea), wo''hu (wahoo), is made 

 into a tea to be used as a physic. 



Running blackberry (Rubus hispidus) berries are steeped and 

 drunk as a vermifuge. 



Wart weed (sp. ?) exudes a whitish juice which if applied to warts 

 will cure them. 



Pennyroyal {Iledeoma pulegioides) is made into a tea and drunk to 

 warm the stomach. 



Spearmint {Mentha spicata) made into a tea is good as a worm 

 medicine. 



Golden thread {Coptis tri/olia) is steeped for use as a mouth wash for 

 babies. 



" Peppergrass " (Bursa bursa-pastoris) seed pods are made into a 

 tea for the general benefit of the stomach. Its pungency is thought 

 to kill internal worms. 



Peppermint (Mentha piperita) (European) tea is given to babies 

 for worms, and grown people drink it. 



Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) (European) leaves are smoked for 

 asthma and sore throat. 



Chestnut (Castanea dentata) leaves are made into a tea to cure 

 whooping cough. 



Leaves of spicewood (Benzoin) are chewed or steeped to make a 

 tea to cure children of worms. 



"Indian posy" (Anaphali§ margaritacea) is steeped and drunk 

 for colds. 



Twigs of "speckled alder" (Alnus) are steeped and used for bath- 

 ing purposes for sprains, bruises, headaches, and backache. 



The berries of "upland sumach" make a gargle for sore throat. 

 They are also made into a beverage. 

 19078°— 28 IS 



