OF HERBS IN MEDICINE 165 



Parkinson put it in the fore-front of all medicinal plants 

 and it holds almost as high a place among village herbalists 

 to-day. Among many other virtues, the dried leaves are 

 said to have great power to reduce inflammation if steeped 

 in hot water and applied to the affected part. Mallows, 

 especially Marsh-Mallows, retain their old reputation for 

 relieving the same ill and the well-known Pates de 

 Guimauve are made from their roots. Elder, beloved by 

 all herbalists, still keeps its place in the British 

 Pharmacopoeia, and the cooling effects of Elder-Flower 

 Water, none can deny. In the country. Elder leaves 

 and buds are most highly valued and are used in drinks, 

 poultices and ointments. Hyssop, or as some call it 

 I-sop, is sometimes used. Primrose, Poor Man's Friend, 

 and Comfrey are together made into an ointment, but 

 White Comfrey should be used when the ointment is for 

 a woman. Red-flowered Comfrey when it is for a man. 

 "Poor Man's Friend" in this case is Hedge-Garlic, but 

 the name is sometimes given to Swine's Cress {Lapsana 

 Communis). The juice of House-Leek, mixed with cream 

 relieves inflammation and particularly the irritation 

 which follows vaccination in an arm " taking beauti- 

 fully." Probatum est. Penny-pies or Penny-wort (Cotyledon 

 Umbilicus) is said to be equally efficacious, especially 

 used with cream, and when simmered with the " sides 

 of the pan," have been known to heal, where lin- 

 seed poultices failed to do good. When the leaf of 

 Penny-wort is applied to a wound, one side draws, the 

 other side heals. Wormwood is often in request 

 by brewers. Marigold-tea is a widely administered 

 remedy for the measles, and is one of the few 

 remedies which everybody seems to know. Very often 

 families appear to have their own special formula, and 

 even where the chief herbs in different prescrip- 

 tions to relieve the same ailment are identical, the 

 lesser herbs vary. Saffron was also recommended for 



