MEDICINAL WEEDS OP IOWA 777 



Two of the Milkweeds {Asclepias incarnata and A. syriaca) are 

 listed as medicinal, an extract from the root alone being used. 

 This is a diaphoretic and was formerly applied in acute pulmonary 

 and bronchial affections and in rheumatism. Although at present 

 it has fallen somewhat into disrepute, it is sometimes given in cases 

 of dropsy. 



A tincture from the whole plant of bindweed {Convolvulus 

 arvensis), of the family Convolvulaceae, is sometimes used as a 

 diuretic or gentle laxative. 



The leaves and root of one of the Boragi-rmceae, hound's tongue 

 {Cynoglossum ojjicinale), are both medicinal, the latter being some- 

 what narcotic. The leaves were at one time used as a styptic. 



Of the Yerhenaceae we find records of the use of the root and 

 green parts of vervain {Verbena hastata) which were substituted 

 occasionally for boneset in fevers and agues. They are emetic and 

 expectorant. 



The Labiate, self-heal {Prunella vulgaris), is an astringent but 

 by no means is the universal curative agent that its name would 

 suggest. 



Catnip {Nepeta cataria) no longer official, nevertheless is rated 

 at 2 to 8 cents per pound for leaves and flowering tops, the coarse 

 stems being rejected. A decoction from these parts is a mild stimu- 

 lant and tonic, being rather quieting in effect. 



Motherwort {Leonurus carMaoai) has similar properties. 



The family Solanaceae is very important medicinally, as it fur- 

 nishes at least twenty drugs to the trade, of which the most im- 

 portant is belladonna. Of the Iowa weeds Jimson {Datura stra- 

 monium) is the best known. The leaves and seeds are official, the 

 former being rated at 2^^ to 8 cents and the latter at 3 to 7 cents 

 per pound. The leaves are applied in eases of asthma and the 

 seeds in spasmodic diseases affecting the respiratory tract. Datura 

 tustula is sometimes used in the same manner. 



The black nightshade {Solanum nigrum) is especially valuable as 

 a resolvent but its use is no longer prevalent. In some parts of 

 Iowa the bruised leaves are considered an unfailing remedy in cases 

 of ivy poisoning. 



The root leaves and berries of horse nettle {S. carolinense) are 

 mentioned by Alice Henkel as being medicinal though not official. 



Of the Scrophulariaceae, the cosmopolitan mullein weed {Ver- 

 iascum thapsus) possesses considerable market value although it is 

 not recognized by the U. S. P. as official. The dried leaves retail 



