50 MEDICINAL PLANTS 



Laurace.e, Juss. — (The Cinnamon Tribe.) 



Sassafras* Officinale, Nees., (Sassafras). The bark and roots 

 aromatic, stimulant, cordial and diaphoretic, used chiefly as an adjuvant 

 to other preparations. Virtues reside in a volatile oil ; has been recom- 

 mended in chronic rheumatism, cutaneous eruptions, scorbutic and 

 syphiloid affections. In infusion or ml. Off. U. S. P. 



Benzoin Odorifeeum, Nees., (Fever-bush, Spice-bush). A very 

 agreeable stimulant, diaphoretic and aromatic tonic, a useful vermifuge, 

 and drink in low fevers. The bush is recommended in intermittents. 

 The oil of the berries is used as a stimulant. The berries have been 

 employed in place of alspice. A decoction of the young branches is 

 often used as a medicinal drink for horned cattle, in the spring of the 

 year. 



Thymelace.e, Juss. — (The Mezereum Tribe.) 



DiRCAf Palustris, Linn., (Leather Wood, Moose Wood). Fresh bark 

 vesicates the skin; the berries are emetic and poisonous. The bark 

 forms a good stimulant masticatory in cases of toothache, &c. In 

 decoction it proves expectorant and sudorific, similar to mezereon in its 

 medical properties. Bigelow thinks it might be substituted for Senega. 



Ulmace^e, Mirbel. — (The Elm Tribe.) 



Ulmus Americana, Linn., (White Elm, American Elm). U. Fulva, 

 Michx., (Slippery Elm, Red Elm.) U. Racemosa, (White Elm). 

 The inner bark of the Fulva forms an elegant demulcent from its abun- 

 dant mucilage; also nutritious, and forms a good substitute for Gum Ar- 

 abic. Dr. Griffith recommends it as an alterative in cutaneous dis- 

 eases ; good bougies are formed of its bark. Externally applied as 

 .poultices and fomentations to inflamed parts. 



Celtis Occidentals, Linn., (Sugar-berry, Nettle Tree). The ber- 

 ries sweetish and somewhat astringent ; useful in diarrhoea and dysen- 

 tery. 



Euphorbiace^;, Juss. — (The Spurge Tribe.) 



Euphorbia Corallata, Linn., (Flowering Spurge). E. Hyperi- 

 cifolia, Linn., (Upright Spotted Spurge). E. Ipecacuanha, Linn. 



* From the Spanish salsafras, saxifrage, whose virtues have been attributed 

 to this plant. 



t From the Greek dirke, a fountain, the plant growing near water. 



