10 MEDICINAL PLANTS 



astringent demulcent in pectoral and bowel complaints. Plant abounds 

 in mucilage, which possesses similar properties to the Irish moss, and 

 might be substituted for it. 



Nelumbiacje, Barll. — (Sacred-Bean Tribe.) 

 Nelumbium luteum,* Wild,, (Great Yellow Water-lily). The 

 only piaiit furnished by this order in our state, is found in Big Sodus 

 Bay, Lake Ontario. The rhizomes resemble those of the sweet 

 potato, and are as farinaceous, agreeable and wholesome as the 

 potato; found 12 to 18 inches below the surface of the earth, nutri- 

 tious rather than medicinal ; used as food by the Tartars and Indians ; 

 root contains large quantities of fecula. 



Nympheace^e, Salisb. — (Pond-Lily Tribe.) 

 Xymphea Odorata,! Ait., (Great White Water-lily). Root or 

 rhizome is used for dying a brown color ; bitter to taste ; power- 

 fully astringent and tonic ; contains much tannin and gallic acid ; 

 fresh root useful as a discutient poultice; forms a good injection in 

 leucorrhea, gonorrhea, and dysentery, etc. ; considered aphrodisiac by 

 the ancients ; a popular remedy in bowel complaints ; and useful as a 

 gargle in ulcerated sore-throat ; one of the Thompsonian remedies. 

 Nuphak lute a, Smith, (Yellow Pond-lily, small flowered). 

 Nuphar advena4 Ait., (Common Yellow Pond-lily). These 

 two species possess similar properties with the nymphea, and may be 

 employed in same cases ; they should be further investigated. The 

 advena is a popular tonic, and fresh root forms an excellent poultice 

 when bruised ; contains much starch. The roots of all the water 

 lilies are edible ; though somewhat acrid when raw, they are bland 

 and nutritious when cooked ; petioles and leaves are eaten for greens ; 

 leaves employed to dress blisters, c oling and emollient ; flowers 

 have proved successful in dysuria. 



Papavarace^e, Juss. — (The Poppy Tribe.) 



Three species only furnished by this tribe in our state are medici- 

 nal. 



Sanguinaria|! Canadense, Linn., (Blood Root). An acrid nar- 

 cotic, acting as a powerful emetic, in doses of x. grs. of the powdered 

 root, succeeded by burning heat of stomach, vertigo, prostration, etc. 

 In small doses, deobstruent and expectorant ; useful in chronic pulmo- 



* Nelumbo, the Ceylon name, 

 t From its inhabiting the water like the nymphs. 

 t The ancient name attached to it by Dioscorides. 

 || From sanguis, blood. 



