48 MEDICINAL PLANTS 



tism and dysentery, in infusion or powder. We have six other species 

 of this genus, all of which possess medicinal properties. 



Oleacea:, Hoff. — (The Olive Tribe.) 



Ligustrum* Vulgare, Linn., (Common Privet). The bark con- 

 tains a peculiar substance, ligu.strin, manrrite, starch, sugar, extrac- 

 tive, tannin, bitter resin, etc. The berries are black, are ca- 

 thartic, and used for dyeing. The leaves are astringent, as are the 

 flowers ; used in aphthous affections of the mouth and fauces as a 

 wash, (Am. Jour. Phar., XII, 347.) 



APELATOUS EXOGENOUS PLANTS. 

 Aristolochiace*, Juss. — (The Bitterwort Tribe.) 



Aristolochia Serpentaria, Linn. (Virg. Snake Root). An inval- 

 uable diaphoretic, stimulant and tonic. Contains much volatile oil, 

 and a yellow bitter principle ; also, diuretic ; particularly adapted to 

 cases of typhus fever, and eruptive diseases where the grade of action 

 is low, and the eruption slow in appearing. In powder, infusion or 

 extract. Off. U. S. P. 



AsARUMf Canadense, Linn., (Wild Ginger, C^ada Snake Root). 

 An aromatic, stimulant, tonic, containing a very fragrant essential 

 oil, etc. Forms a pleasant adjuvant to tonic infusions and decoctions ; 

 in powder or tincture, 



Chenopodiace*:, Vent. — (The Goosefoot Tribe.) 



Ambrina Anthelmintica, Spach. (Worm Seed, Jerusalem 

 Oak). A valuable anthelmintic, well adapted to cases of lumbrici 

 in children, in doses of 9j. to 3j, followed by oil. The seeds of 

 the A. Ambrosioides (Mexican Tea), is sometimes substituted for the 

 true Worm seed, but the seeds have a weaker odor, and are less of- 

 fensive. The oil is a good form of giving it. These plants would 

 probably prove useful in nervous affections. Formerly Chenopodium.% 



• From the Latin liguro, to tie, from its flexibility. 



t From the Greek, a not, and seria, a band, because it was rejected from 

 the garlands of flowers employed by the ancients. 



t From chenos, a goose, and pous, foot, the leaves resembling the foot of this 

 bird. 



