22 
NAT. ORDER. LILACE^. 
very much admired for its sweet smell and the variegated tints of 
its flowers. The Lilium Philadelphicum is a native of this country, 
but is found growing in various parts of Europe, where it has been 
cultivated ever since the time of Gerard. 
Medical Propertim and Uses. The flowers of this plant have a 
sweet pleasant smell, and were formerly used in some parts of Eu- 
rope for medicinal purposes ; a watery distillization of them was 
employed as a cosmetic, and the oleum lilirum was supposed to pos- 
sess anodyne and nervine powers ; but the odorous matter of these 
flowers is of a very volatile kind, being totally dissipated in drying, 
and entirely carried off" in evaporation by rectified spirit as well as 
water ; and though both menstrums become strongly impregnated 
with their agreeable odor by infusion or distilization, yet no essen- 
tial oil can be obtained from any quantity of its flowers. It is there- 
fore the roots only which are directed for use, the properties of 
which are similar to those of the NympTicKaodaratas, White Pond 
Lilly, and can in most cases be substituted for it. It is a valuable 
medicine, for either internal or external use. Internally it is an as- 
tringent tonic, and can be used in diarrhoea, dysentery and all cases 
of general debility. Externally it is useful in poultices, for biles, 
tumors, inflamations, ulcers, &c. The leaves are also useful for the 
same purpose. The fresh juice of the roots mixed with lemon 
juice, is said to be good for removing freckles, pimples and blotches 
from the skin. 
Sirup of Lilies. This preparation is made after the following 
manner. Take a single hand-full of the flowers, steep them mod- 
erately in a quart of water over a slow fire, for one hour ; then 
strain and sweeten well with loaf sugar, grate in a little nutmeg, and 
add half-a-pint of good French brandy. This is an excellent arti- 
cle for children, when teething, or in bowel complaints. Mothers 
will find this an excellent remedy for what is called the nursing, or 
sore mouth. In the form of a poultice, prepai-ed with slippery elm, 
it is excellent for swelling and to reduce inflamations. In all cases 
it is an excellent sedative to ease pain. 
