NAT. ORDER. RANUNCULACEiE. 
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culiar principle, ffydrastin, of a yellow color. Howard, speaking - of 
the qualities of this root, says, " The Golden Seal is a powerful bitter 
tonic, highly useful in all cases of debility and loss of appetite. It may 
be used alone, or combined with other tonics. Very useful during- the 
recovery from fevers, in dyspepsia, or any other complaint, to remove 
the heavy disagreeable sensation often produced by indigestible food, 
by taking- a teaspoonful of the powdered root in hot water sweetened. 
A decoction of this root is also a very valuable remedy for sore eyes, 
as well as all other local inflammations, externally applied." Rafines- 
que says that the Indians use a decoction of this root for the cure of 
cancers, the powder for blistering", and the infusion for dropsy. 
