42 MEDICINAL PLANTS 



a tonic by the Thomsonians, under the name of Balmony. The Shakers 

 use it also, and put it up for sale. It deserves a fuller examination. 



Gratiola Virginica, Linn., (Common Hedge Hyssop). 



G. Aurea, Muhl , (Golden Hedge Hyssop). The European Hedge 

 Hyssop is an active, drastic cathartic, diuretic, and emetic, and con- 

 tains Veratria. The above species have not been fully investigated, 

 but if we mistake not, they will be found to possess similar properties. 

 The Aurea certainly has very powerful properties, and we believe 

 might be substituted for the Officinalis. We would recommend a 

 tincture of it to be tried in rheumatism and gout, as it probably ope- 

 rates in a manner similar to colchicum and veratrum. 



Veronica Officinalis, Linn., (Common Speedwell). This plant 

 has an astringent, warm, bitterish taste, and is considered diuretic, dia- 

 phoretic, tonic, and expectorant ; formerly much employed in pectoral 

 and cutaneous diseases, nephritic complaints, and wounds. Has 

 been used as a substitute for tea. 



V. Beccabunga, Linn., (Brookline). A very succulent plant, 

 forms a good emollient fomentation and poultice, formerly considered de- 

 purative and alterative. 



V. Peregrina, Linn. Once employed in scrofulous affections. (See 

 Bart. Med. <$- Phys. Jour. 3, p. 24.) 



Paederota Virginica, Torrey, (Culver's Root, or Physic, formerly 

 Leptandria Virginica, Nutt). The root. This is bitter and nauseous, and 

 yields its virtues to boiling water ; acts powerfully as emetic and cathar- 

 tic, when fresh — not so active when dry. Dose, xx. grs. to 3 j. 



Verbenaceje, Juss. — (The Vervain Tribe.) 



Verbena* Hastata, Linn., (Tall Blue Vervain). 



V. Urticifolia, Linn., (Common Vervain). A plant held sacred 

 by the ancients, and employed in their religious rites ; still worn 

 around the neck for the cure of scrofula. It is bitter to the taste, and 

 has tonic and emetic properties. Its medicinal virtues are not great. 



Labiate, Juss. — (The Mint Tribe.) 

 Mentha! Viridis, Linn., (Spearmint). M. Piperita, Linn., (Pep- 

 permint). M. Canadensis, Linn., (Canadian Mint). These species 

 of mint are well known remedies as stimulants, in cases of flatulence, 



* An alteration of the Celtic word f erf acn, from fer to drive away, and faen a 

 stone, in allusion to its medicinal virtues. 



t From Minthe, a daughter of Caeytus, who, according to fable, was changed in!b 

 this plant. 



