6 MEDICINAL PLANTS 



neuralgia, rheumatism, and other painful local affections. Owing to 

 its extreme activity, it should be used internally with great caution. 

 Dose of powdered leaves, one to two grs. ; extract, half a gr. to one gr. ; 

 and of the tinct., six to twenty drops. 



Act.ea,* Linn , (Baneberry). We have two species of this genus 

 growing in this state, viz., the Rubra (Bigel) and the Alba (Bigel), 

 both of which go under the name of While Cohosh. Of the one, the 

 berries are of a bright cherry-red, and of the other, milk-white. The 

 root officinal. 



Medical and physical properties of the two species, nearly identical- 

 The Aetcea is purgative and emetic, in small doses alterative. Dr. 

 Torrey states that it is a mild astringent and tonic. This plant is 

 often confounded with the Cimicifuga, and employed in the place of it. 

 This has arisen from the fact that Linnaeus placed Cimicifuga in the 

 class Aetcea ; though Pursh afterwards formed it into a distinct genus. 

 They are now properly ranked as two distinct genera. Its properties 

 deserve further examination. 



CiMiciFUGA,f Linn., (Bugbane-Cobosh). One species grows 

 in this state, the Racemosa, Ell., (Black Snake-root, Black Cohosh, 

 Rattle-weed), the Macrotys of Rafnesquc. The root. This is the true 

 Cohosh, and is a very useful medicine in many diseases ; much used 

 by the Indians as emmenagogue, and in rheumatism. A stimulating 

 tonic, increasing the cutaneous, urinary, and bronchial secretions, al- 

 though slightly narcotic ; chiefly valuable in rheumatism, chronic affec- 

 tions of the liver and lungs ; useful as an alterative, in combination 

 with iodine, in many chronic diseases ; good diaphoretic ; used by the 

 Indians as an antidote against the bite of the rattlesnake ; a mild seda- 

 tive to the nervous system. In large doses, produces vertigo, impaired 

 vision, nausea and vomiting, and a reduction of circulation ; useful in 

 dropsy, hysteria, chorea, and early stages of phthisis. Dose of satu- 

 rated tincture, 3 i. to 3 ij. ; of decoction, made with § i. of root to O.j. 

 water ; O.ss. to O.j., in 24 hours. Its powers depend on a some- 

 what volatile oil and bitter resin, both soluble in alcohol, and partly so 

 in water. 



ZanthorizaJ Marsh., (Yellow Root). We have one species, 

 the Ai'iifolia, which has a secondary place in the United States Phar- 

 macopoeia. It is tonic, and resembles very closely columbo, quassia, 

 and the other simple tonic bitters. May be profitably used in some 

 cases. Root is from three inches to one foot long, half an inch thick, 

 and intensely bitter; imparts its color and taste to water ; qualities de- 

 pend on a bitter gum and resin ; given in decoction, tincture or pow- 

 der. 



* From the Greek, akte, elder, which its leaves resemble. 

 t From the Latin, cimex, a bug, and fugo, to drive away. 

 t From the Greek, xanthus, yellow, and rhiza, root. 



