54 MEDICINAL PLANTS 



Cannabis Sativa, Linn., (Common Hemp). There is but one spe- 

 cies of this plant, the Sativa, the C. Indica being a mere variety. It 

 remains to be ascertained whether the American Hemp contains the 

 same intoxicating and narcotic properties with that of India ; we are 

 inclined to think it lacks that resinous portion on which its peculiar me- 

 dicinal virtues depend. 



Humulus* Lupulus, Linn., (Hop). A well-known tonic and nar- 

 cotic; owes its properties to a peculiar principle, which resides in the 

 yellow granular matter of the strobiles, called Lupidin, diuretic and 

 decidedly antilithic. Lupulin is the best form of internal administra- 

 tion. 



CLASS II.— GYMNOSPERMOUS PLANTS. 



Conifers, Juss. — (The Pine Tribe.) 

 PiNusf Rigida, Mill., (Pitch Pine). P. Strobus, Linn., (White 

 Pine). P. Mfris, Michx., (Yellow Pine.) P. Balsamea, Linn., (Bal- 

 sam Fir, Balm of Gilead Fir). P. Canadensis, Linn., (Hemlock 

 Spruce). P. Nigra, Ait., (Black or Double Spruce). P. Alba, Ait., 

 (White or Single Spruce). P. Pendula, Ait., (Tamarack, American 

 Larch). Turpentine and resin are obtained from all the above species 

 in greater or less quantity. The Rigida abounds in turpentine ; the 

 Balsamea yields the Canada Balsam, which is largely exported for me- 

 dicinal purposes ; 650,000,000 of white pine lumber, (P. Strobus,) 

 are supposed to be annually obtained from this State, which requires 

 65,000 acres to produce. The turpentines are all diuretic, stimu- 

 lant, expectorant; in large doses, purgative and vermifuge. They con- 

 stitute the best class of alterative remedies in the chronic diseases of 

 old people, and especially of the pulmonary and urinary organs ; excel- 

 lent external applications and revulsives. 



CypressusJ Thuyoides, Linn., (White Cedar). An infusion»of the 

 tops, stomachic and diuretic. 



Thuya Occidentalis, Linn., (Common Arborvita Tree). Stimu- 

 lant, diuretic, diaphoretic, and vermifuge ; decoction of the strobiles is 

 recommended as an astringent in diseases of the bowels. 

 * Juniperus§ Virginiana, Linn., (Red Cedar). J. Communis, Linn., 

 (Common Juniper). The first species, Virginiana, is probably the J. 

 Sabina, (Savine,) of Hooker ; the leave^ and berries possess the 

 same medicinal properties, which are owing to volatile oil, wax, resin, 



* From humu, moist earth, because it prefers damp soils. 



t From the Celtic pin ox pen, a rock or crag ; in allusion to its usual locality. 



X From the Island of Cyprus, where the tree abounds. 



$ From the Celtic juneprus, rough or rude, the character of the genus. 



