6Z MEDICINAL PLANTS 



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menagogue, and expectorant properties ; chiefly employed in chronic 

 pulmonary disorders; also a popular remedy in cutaneous disorders. 

 Given in powder and decoction. 



Pluciiea Camphokata, De-Can., (Sea-side Marsh Fleabane). A 

 strong-scented plant, growing near the sea-side, exhaling an odor of 

 camphor, a useful stimulant, and powerful antispasmodic, diaphoretic and 

 diuretic. 



Rudbeckia Laciniata, Linn., (Thimble Weed). Diuretic, bal- 

 samic, useful in nephritic diseases, especially albuminuria. Given 

 freely in decoction. 



Helenium* Autumnale, Linn., (Sneeze Weed). All parts of this 

 plant are bitter, and somewhat acrid ; has been used as a sternutatory 

 or errhine, in form of powdered leaves and flowers. It is also tonic and 

 diaphoretic, and is recommended in intermittents. As an errhine, 

 Griffith says, it is not equal in power to the Asarum, or the brown pow- 

 der of the Ka'mia, but is useful where these cannot be procured. 



Maruta Cotula, Be Cand., (May Weed.) A troublesome weed, 

 introduced from Europe ; has a strong, unpleasant smell, and an acrid, 

 bitter, and nauseous taste. The whole plant is officinal. It is tonic, 

 diaphoretic, emetic, and very similar to chamomile in its medicinal pro- 

 perties. It might be employed in some cases with equal benefit, if its 

 taste were not so unpleasant. The fresh plant bruised and applied to 

 the skin, vesicates ; but the blisters readily heal. 



AnthemisJ* Arvensis, Linn., (Wild Chamomile). This plant re- 

 sembles the common chamomile in its medicinal enacts, and is used in 

 place of it in Germany. The flowers have an acrid taste, but no smell. 

 Tonic and anthelmintic. 



Achillea^ Millefolium, Linn., (Common Yarrow). The whole 

 herb medicinal. The flowers and leaves have a pleasant, aromatic 

 odor, and a bitter, astringent, pungent taste ; contains vol. oil, bitter 

 extractive, and tannin, to which its virtues are owing ; active principles 

 extracted by water and alcohol. A mild aromatic and astringent, used 

 in Sweden in place of hops in brewing beer; useful in intermittents, 

 dianhoea, general debility, and nervous affections. Infusion the best 

 form of administration. The vol. oil is also given in a dose of 20 to 30 

 orops. 



Helianthus Tuberosus, Linn., (Jerusalem Artichoke). Cultivated 

 in gardens for the firm fleshy tubers at the root, which are pickled and 

 used as a condiment. 



* Named after Helen, wife of Menelaus, who used this, or a similar plant, as a 

 cosmetic. 



t From the Greek onthrmis, flower. 



I Named after Achilles, a discij-le of Chircn. 



