6Z MEDICINAL PLANTS 



menagogue, and expectorant properties ; chiefly employed in chronic 

 pulmonary disorders; also a popular remedy in cutaneous disorders. 

 Given in powder and decoction. 



Pluchea Camhhorata, De-Can., (Sea-side Marsh Fleabane). A 

 strong-scented plant, growing near the sea-side, exhaling an odor of 

 camphor, a useful stimulant, and powerful antispasmodic, diaphoretic and 

 diuretic. 



Kudbeckia Laciniata, Linn., (Thimble Weed). Diuretic, bal- 

 samic, useful in nephritic diseases, especially albuminuria. Given 

 freely in decoction. 



Helenium* Autumnale, Linn., (Sneeze Weed). All parts of this 

 plant are bitter, and somewhat acrid; has been used as a sternutatory 

 or errhine, in form of powdered leaves and flowers. It is also tonic and 

 diaphoretic, and is recomnended in intermitlents. As an errhine, 

 Griffith says, it is not equal in power to the Asarum, or the brown pow- 

 der of the Kalmia, but is useful where these cannot be procured. 



Ma rut a Cotula, De Cand., (May Weed.) A troublesome weed, 

 introduced from Europe ; has a strong, unpleasant smell, and an acrid, 

 bitter, and nauseous taste. The whole plant is officinal. It is tonic, 

 diaphoretic, emetic, and very%imilar to chamomile in its medicinal pro- 

 perties. It might be employed in some cases with equal benetit, if its 

 taste were not so unpleasant. The fresh plant bruised and applied to 

 the skin, vesicates ; but the blisters readily heal. 



ANTHEMisf Arvensis, Linn., (Wild Chamomile). This plant re- 

 sembles the common chamomile in its medicinal effects, and is used in 

 place of it in Germany. The flowers have an acrid taste, but no smell. 

 Tonic and anthelmintic. 



Achillea:}: Millefolium, Linn., (Common Yarrow). The whole 

 herb medicinal. The flowers and leaves have a pleasant, aromatic 

 odor, and a bitter, astringent, pungent taste ; contains vol. oil, bitter 

 extractive, and tannin, to which its virtues are owing ; active principles 

 extracted by water and alcohol. A mild aromatic and astringent, used 

 in Sweden in place of hops in brewing beer; useful in intermittents, 

 diarrhoea, general debility, and nervous affections. Infusion the best 

 form of administration. The vol. oil is also given in a dose of 20 to 30 

 drops. 



Helianthus Tuberosus, Linn., (Jerusalem Artichoke). Cultivated 

 in gardens for the linn fleshy tubers at the root, which are pickied and 

 used as a condiment. 



* Named after Helen, wife of Menelaus, who used this, or a similar plant, as a 

 cosmetic. 



t From the Greek anthrmis, flower. 



t Named after Achilles, a disciple of Chiron. 



