THE PLANT AS HEALER 143 
So much for the Art, what of the actual vegetable 
medicines used ¢ 
I have chosen a few from the list attributed to 
Hippocrates, and it is most interesting to find that 
these are still in great request— 
Plant Natural Order. General action. 
Marsh Mallow Althea officinalis Malvaceez Demulcent, emollient 
Hemlock Conium maculatum Umbellifere Sedative, anodyne 
Henbane Hyoscyamus niger Solanacee Narcotic, anodyne 
Hyssop Hyssopus officinalis Labiate Stimulant, pectoral 
Mandrake Mandragora Solanacee Sedative narcotic 
officinalis 
Mandrake Podophyllum Berberi- Hepatic and intestinal 
(American) peltatum dacez stimulant 
Mints Mentha Labiate Expectorant, emetic 
Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris Composite Diaphoretic 
Pennyroyal Mentha Labiate Carminative, 
diaphoretic 
Poppy Papaver somniferum Papaveracez 
Castor Oil Ricinus communis — Euphor- Purgative 
biacee 
Spurge Euphorbia Euphor- Anti-asthmatic 
biacee 
Tarragon ae dracun- Composite Stimulant 
’ culus 
Willow Salix Salicacez 
Judging from instructions on ancient papyri, etc., it 
seems to have been the fashion to administer compounds 
of as many “‘ simples ’’ as possible, and this is still the 
custom in the herbalist prescriptions of the present day, 
though the more recognised medical practice is in the 
contrary direction. 
The poppy, the source of opium, was undoubtedly 
cultivated in Mediterranean regions at a very early date, 
and although it is doubtful whether Hippocrates really 
used the poppy as we know it, Dioscorides most certainly 
did. Galen states that he only used it for very urgent 
