28 



MEDICINAL PLANTS 



Cuminum, (Cumin). Coriandrum, (Coriander,) etc. All useful car- 

 minatives, and some of them employed in domestic economy. 



ARALIACEiE, JuSS. 



Aralia Racemosa, Linn., (Spikenard). The root and leaves are 

 in great repute as aromatic tonics. Usually taken in form of lincture. 



A. Nidicaulis, Linn., (Wild Sarsaparilla). A well-known medici- 

 nal plant, possessing gently stimulating and diaphoretic properties. 

 A decided alterative, and useful in rheumatic, syphilitic, and cutaneous 

 diseases. Prepared and given in the same manner as the genuine 

 sarsaparilla. 



A. S finos a, (Angelica Tree, Toothache Tree). Cultivated in gar- 

 dens as an ornamental shrub. A stimulant diaphoretic. An infusion 

 of recent root, emetic and cathartic ; used with advantage in chronic 

 rheumatism and cutaneous affections. 



Arabia Hispida, Michx., (Wild Elder). A valuable diuretic in 

 dropsies, in decoction. (Peck, in Am. Jour. Med. Sci., xix., 117.) 



sub-class ii— monopetalous exogenous plants. 

 Caprifoliaceje. — (The Honeysuckle Tribe.) 



Triosteum Perfoliatum, Linn., (Feverwort, Horse Gentian). 

 Cathartic, emetic, and diuretic. Powdered bark of root most active ; 

 in doses of 20 grs. acts as cathartic, 30 to 40 emetic. Its active pro- 

 perties are taken up by water and alcohol. Extract purges in doses of 

 10 grs. ; 5 lbs. of the root produces 2 lbs. of extract. Leaves are dia- 

 phoretic. The hard seeds have been used as a substitute for coffee. 

 This plant deserves further trials. (See Wood and Bache, p. 721.) 



Sambucus Nigra, Linn., (Common Elder). Inner bark aperient 

 and deobstruent, also emetic in large doses. Infusion of flowers dia- 

 phoretic. Elder ointment is a soothing application to ulcers, burns, etc. 

 The berries furnish a juice, which diluted with water, forms a cooling 

 and laxative drink in fevers. Wine of the berries is an excellent cor* 

 dial, much used in domestic practice. 



Viburnum Prunifolium, Linn., (Black Haw-Sloe). Fruit one- 

 third of an inch long, bluish black, and slightly glaucous when mature. 

 The fruit, when mature, is sweetish and esculent. 



V. Lentago, Linn., (Sweet Viburnum). A tree 15-20 feet 

 high. Fruit rather larger than the preceding species, bluish black, 

 with a glaucous bloom ; the pulp thin and sweetish. The fruit is 

 sweet and esculent after the action of frost. 



V. Dentatum, Linn., (Arrow Wood). 10 to 12 feet high, used by 



