12 



MEDICINAL PLANTS 



Cress). N. Natans, (Floating Cress). Barbarea Vulgaris, R. 

 Brown. (Scurvy Grass). Turritus Striata,* Graham, (Tower Mus- 

 tard). Arabis Hirsuta, Scop., (Hairy Wall-Cress). A. Dentata, 

 (Toothed Wall-Cress). A. Lyrata, Levigata, and Canadensis. 

 All anti-scorbutic, and useful in visceral obstructions. Some of them 

 used as salad. The expressed juice may be given in doses of S j. to 3 ij. 



We have three species of Cardanine,! or Bitter Cress, possess- 

 ing same properties ; also three species of Dentaria, (Tooth-wort), of 

 which the Dyphilla, (Pepper-wort), is well known for its pungent rhi- 

 zoma, which is owing to a stimulating, evanescent, volatile principle. 



Sysimbrium Officinale, Scop., (Hedge Mustard) ; diuretic and 

 expectorant, useful in chronic coughs, hoarseness, and ulceration of 

 mouth and fauces. The juice may be mixed with honey or sugar, or 

 the seeds taken in substance. 



Sinapis Nigra, Linn., (Black Mustard). A well-known stimulating 

 condiment. S. Arvensis, (Wild Mustard), possessing similar proper- 

 ties. 



Raphanus,! (The Radish). 



ViolacejE, De Cand. — (The Violet Tribe). 



Viola, Linn. Of thirty-three species of this genus in the United 

 States, fifteen are found in this state ;|| some of them possessing valua- 

 ble medicinal properties. Of these the most important are the Odo- 

 rata, Pedata, Sagittata, Tricolor, and Cucullata. The roots 

 of most of these species are emetic and purgative, in about the same 

 doses as Ipecac, for which they have been proposed as a substitute. 

 Their active properties are owing to a peculiar principle, violine, close- 

 ly allied to emetine, in composition and action. A syrup, made of the 

 flowers of the violet, is a very mild and pleasant laxative for infants 

 and young children. 



The V. Pedata, Linn., is one of our most useful expectorants and 

 demulcents. The Tricolor, Linn., is a good depurative and alterative, 

 and highly useful in nephritic, cutaneous, and other chronic affections. 

 The herbaceous parts of all the species are mucilaginous, emollient, 

 and slightly laxative, and the roots of all are expectorant, as they con- 

 tain more or less of the active principle, violine. (V. Pedata Off., U. S. 



* From turris, a tower — from the pyramidal form of the plant. 



t From the Greek, cardia, heart, and damao, to fortify, from its supposed power in 

 strengthening the heart. 



t From ra, quickly, and phainomai, to appear ; from its speedy germination. 



|| These are the following, viz. : Pedata, Palmata, Cucullata, Selkirkii, Sagittata, 

 Rotundifolia, Blanda, Mi mulm folia, Lanceolata, Striata, Muhlenberghii, Rostrata, 

 Pubescens, Canadensis, Tricolor. 



