4  Vegetable  Drugs  Used  in  Mexico.      { AmiT'i89iarm' 
A.  Martinez,  the  plant  contains  acid  resin,  volatile  oil,  fat,  yellow 
coloring  matter,  gum,  tannin,  etc.  The  infusion  of  the  leaves 
enjoys  considerable  reputation  against  coryza. 
B.  multiflora,  Kunth,  and  B.  Alamani,  DeCandollc,  like  the  pre- 
ceding species,  grow  in  the  valley  of  Mexico,  and  are  known  by  the 
same  popular  names. 
Calea  Zacatechichi,  DeCandolle,  grows  in  Vera  Cruz,  Orizaba  and 
other  localities  of  Southern  Mexico.  Leaves  petiolate,  oval,  subtri- 
plinerved  and,  like  the  whole  plant,  pubescent ;  heads  radiate, 
twelve-flowered  ;  involucre  cylindric  ;  scales  obtuse,  the  margin  sca- 
rious ;  akenes  top-shaped  ;  inodorous,  bitter.  For  use,  see  Amer. 
Jour.  Phar.,  1886,  p.  122. 
Cirsium  mexicanum,  DeCand.,  is  recognized  as  cardosanto;  but 
the  following  plants  are  likewise  popularly  known  by  the  same 
name ;  Cnicus  acantholepis  and  C.  rhaphilepis,  Hemsley,  in  the 
valley  of  Mexico,  and  Carduus  tenuiflorus,  DeCand.,  in  Jalisco. 
Eupatorium  (Brickellia,  Asa  Gray)  veronicaefolium,  Kunth,  is 
known  as  gobernadora  de  Puebla,  oregano  del  cerro,  pexto,  etc. 
Leaves  small,  cordate  or  renrform  ;  heads  discoid,  blue,  then  rose- 
colored,  hoary  pubescent,  of  a  musklike  odor,  and  bitter  and  pun- 
gent taste.  It  contains  resins,  volatile  oil,  yellow  coloring  matter, 
tannin  and  a  bitter  principle  named  eupatopextin.  The  infusion  is 
used  in  gastralgia  and  in  atonic  dyspepsia,  and  in  the  form  of  baths 
or  fomentations  for  soothing  arthritic  and  rheumatic  pains. 
Helenium  mexicanum,  Kunth,  is  called  yerba  de  las  animas. 
Heads  radiate ;  involucral  scales  many,  in  one  row,  united  below, 
equal  linear,  hispid,  refiexed  ;  receptacle  nearly  spherical,  with  small 
membranous  lanceolate  chaff  near  the  margin,  otherwise  naked ; 
ligules  pistillate,  oblong,  three-cleft,  yellow,  pellucid-punctate  ;  disk- 
florets  harmaphrodite,  tubular,  five-toothed,  yellowish-brown ; 
akenes  obovate,  compressed,  covered  with  short  and  rigid  hairs,  the 
chaffy  scales  of  the  pappus  membranous,  transparent  and  slender 
above.  An  analysis  by  Professor  P.  A.  Carrillo  showed  the  presence 
of  volatile  oil,  acid  resin,  coloring  matter,  fat,  bitter  substance,  tar- 
taric acid,  and  a  poisonous  alkaloid  named  andrealfonsine.  The 
powdered  drug  is  used  as  a  powerful  errhine. 
Heterotheca  inuloides,  Cassini ;  valley  of  Mexico,  Aguascalientes, 
etc.  Heads  radiate ;  involucre  campanulate,  the  scales  in  several 
series,  linear,  hairy  and  scarious  on  the  margin ;  florets  yellow,  the 
