26 



MEDICINAL PLANTS 



Crassulaceje, Juss. — (The House Leek Tribe.) 



Sedum, Linn., (Stone Crop). P. Telephium, Linn., (Orpine or 

 Live-for-ever). An astringent demulcent. A popular remedy in dysen- 

 tery and hemoptysis ; ajso as a vulnerary. Formerly employed exter- 

 nally to cicatrize wounds. 



Umbellifer^e, Juss. — (The Umbelliferous Tribe.) 



This well-known order furnishes many medicinal plants, differing, 

 however, in their properties. They are all furnished with a volatile 

 oil or balsam ; which, in the fruit, is lodged in longitudinal canals (yit- 

 1<b) in the carpels ; some furnish gum-resins, and a few are pervaded 

 in every part with an alkaloid, acro-narcotic principle. Many species 

 are used as articles of food, and still more are medicinal. 



Sanicula Ma^ilandica, Linn., (Long-styled Sanicle). S. Cana- 

 densis, Linn., (Canadian Sanicle, Black-snake Root). Under which 

 latter name they are employed as domestic medicines, as diaphoretic, 

 stimulant and stomachic. They deserve further examination. 



Cicuta Maculata, Linn., (Water Hemlock, Spotted Cowbane). 

 Common in swamps. The most dangerous vegetable poison indigen. 

 ous to the U. States, often mistaken by children for the root of Sweet 

 Sicily, (Osmorhiza longistylis,) called Beaver Poison and Musquash in 

 the western part of the State. Causes the usual symptoms of the acro- 

 narcotics. The whole plant poisonous, but the root most "active. Has 

 a strong aromatic taste and odor, and the bark contains a yellowish, 

 viscid juice. Seldom employed in practice, but is occasionally given 

 as a sedative, and to relieve pain in scirrhus and cancer. 



Herac^euji Lanatum, Michx., (Masterwort, Cow Parsnip). Root 

 lias a strong, disagreeable odor and acrid taste. The leaves and root 

 stimulate the skin, when applied to it. Poisonous when growing in 

 damp places. In medicine, it is stimulant and carminative. Has been 

 used with success in epilepsy, attended with flatulence and gastric dis- 

 order. ( Thatchers Dispensatory.) 



Archangelica Atropurpurea, (Common Angelica). The root 

 contains bitter extractive, gum, an acrid soft resin, volatile oil, etc. 

 An aromatic stimulant and tonic. Vittce, filled with a pungent and ra- 

 ther disagreeable aromatic oil. A popular aromatic tonic and carmina- 

 tive, used in flatulent colic and cardialgia. The stems are sometimes 

 candied as sweetmeats. In a recent state, the root is acrid, and said 

 to be poisonous. 



Daucus Carota, Linn., (Wild Carrot). An indigenous plant. A 

 very powerful diuretic. A strong decoction, drunk freely, very useful 

 in nephritic complaints, and in the passage of urinary calculi. For 



