44 MEDICINAL PLANTS 



application in the form of fomentation, to ulcers, wounds, and bruises. 

 It is apt to excite nausea and vomiting. The Shakers put up the root 

 and sell it under the name of Stone-root ; it is chiefly employed for diu- 

 retic and tonic purposes. The oil or tincture are the best preparations. 



Canila Mariana, Linn., (Common Ditany). A small indigenous 

 herb, having a pungent taste and agreeable odor, depending on an es- 

 sential oil. It is a gently-stimulating aromatic and diaphoretic ; a 

 warm tea of it, like that of the mints, is a popular mode of inducing per- 

 spiration, in colds and fevers ; to relieve colic, #.nd promote the men- 

 strual flow. 



Hedeoma* Pulegioides, Pers., (Pennyroyal). A well-known in- 

 digenous annual plant, a very pleasant aromatic stimulant, emmena- 

 gogue, and diaphoretic ; given in warm infusion on going to bed ; also 

 in flatulent colic, and sick stomach. The oil is a favorite mode of 

 administration with some. Off. U. S. P. 



Melissa - ]" Clinopoditjm, Benth., (Wild Basil, Field Thyme). M. 

 Officinalis, (Common Balm). These species contain a small quan- 

 tity of essential oil of a peculiar flavor ; it forms one of the best diapho- 

 retic drinks in febrile complaints, and is very acceptable to the stomach. 



Scutellaria^: Lateriflora, Linn., (Mad-dog Scull-cap). Has no 

 sensible properties — had a considerable reputation at one time as a 

 preventive of hydrophobia : at present few place any confidence in 

 it as a prophylactic. (See Barton in Phil. Med. and Phys. Jour., vol. 1.) 



S. Integrifolia, Linn. (Entire-leaved Scull-cap. This species 

 is intensely bitter, and possesses decided tonic properties. 



Nepeta§ Cataria, Linn. (Common Catnep, Cat-mint). The 

 whole plant — odor unpleasant, bitter aromatic taste ; a useful carmi- 

 native in diseases of children. It is anodyne and decidedly antispas- 

 modic, hence an excellent remedy in a paroxysm of hysteria — has 

 considerable reputation in the treatment of amenorrhcea and chloro- 

 sis ; also as an anthelmintic. Given to infants and young children in 

 infusion. 



Leonurus|| Cardiaca, Linn., (Common Motherwort). Formerly in 

 high repute as a medicine — a gentle, stimulating diaphoretic, and em- 

 menagogue. 



* From the Greek hedys, sweet, and osme, odor. 



t From the Greek melissa, a bee, because its flowers are much sought after by 

 that insect. 



X From the Latin scutella, a little cup, from the appearance of the calyx. 



§ From the Greek nepa, a scorpion, the bite of which it was once supposed to 

 cure. 



|| From the Greek leon, a lion, and vara, a tail, from a fancied resemblance of the 

 plant. 



