Am.  Jour.  Pharm.1 
April,  1891.  J 
Medicinal  Uses  of  Flowers. 
20 1 
As  a  medicine,  in  small  doses,  saffron  is  considered  stomachic,  and  is 
prescribed  in  fevers  ;  in  large  doses,  it  stimulates  the  nervous  system. 
A  species  of  saffron  is  obtained  from  the  Cape  Colony,  the  produce  of  Lyperia 
crocea. 
The  cusso  (Hagenia  abyssinica)  furnishes  a  well  known  anthelmintic,  and 
the  flower  heads  of  species  of  Artemisia  act  as  a  vermifuge. 
An  infusion  of  lime  or  linden  flowers  (  Tilia  europcza),  drank  as  tea,  is  reputed 
to  be  a  cure  in  chronic  epilepsy.  They  are  used  in  France  in  the  form  of  a 
tisane,  and  the  distilled  water  is  considered  an  antispasmodic. 
The  flowers  of  Malva  sylvestris,  and  of  other  species,  are  emollient,  and  an 
infusion  of  the  petals  is  given  as  a  demulcent. 
Narcissus  is  vomitive,  and  a  decoction  of  broom  flowers  {Genista  scoparia) 
is  diuretic. 
Violets  are  considered  purgative,  but  a  conserve  of  the  flowers  with  sugar 
has  a  grateful  flavor  for  covering  nauseous  medicines. 
The  whole  plant  of  Viola  odorata  is  sold  in  a  dry  state  in  all  the  bazars  of 
Bengal,  and  is  given  in  infusion  as  a  diaphoretic  in  fevers.  In  large  doses  it 
nauseates  and  often  produces  vomiting.  The  Romans  had  a  wine  of  violet 
flowers,  and  it  is  said  they  are  still  used  in  the  preparation  of  sherbets.  The 
flowers  of  some  species  are  diaphoretic  and  laxative. 
The  Turks  prepare  a  cooling  drink  from  the  flowers  of  Nuphar  luteum. 
The  flowers  of  Anthemis  nobilis  form  a  useful  stomachic,  antispasmodic 
and  tonic  in  dyspepsia  and  general  debility. 
The  balausta  flowers  of  the  pomegranate  are  rich  in  tannin  and  gallic  acid, 
and  can  be  used  as  an  astringent. 
The  flowers  of  Urena  lobata,  of  Brazil,  are  used  as  an  expectorant  in  dry  and 
inveterate  coughs. 
The  shoe  flower  (Hibiscus  Rosa-sinensis)  is  used  as  a  tonic  in  China,  and 
as  a  dye  for  silk. 
The  dried  blossoms  of  the  Chu-lan  plant  (Chloranthus  inconspicuus)  are 
classed  amongst  medicines  in  China,  but  they  are  rather  used  to  scent  the 
tea  of  commerce  than  for  pharmaceutical  purposes. 
The  dried  flowers  of  Hemerocallis  graminea  and  of  Lilium  bulbiferum  are 
of  considerable  repute  as  a  medicine  in  pulmonary  affections  and  tonic  of  the 
kidneys  ;  also  largely  employed  in  cooking,  as  a  tonic  or  relish  with  meat 
dishes.  They  are  usually  twisted  into  lengths  of  4  or  5  inches  ;  the  color  is  of 
a  dark  brownish-yellow,  covered  by  a  whitish  bloom. 
The  dried  red  flowers  of  Carthamus  tiuctorius  in  China  are  a  stimulant  seda- 
tive, and  also  used  to  cause  abortion.  They  are  a  component  in  the  manufac- 
ture of  rouge. 
The  dried  flowers  of  a  honeysuckle,  which  resemble  tobacco  in  odor,  are 
used  in  China  in  cases  of  rheumatism. 
The  buds  of  Cassia  Sophora  are  considered  to  be  a  tonic  and  astringent. 
The  flowers  of  Chrysanthemum  album  and  C.  jlavum  are  taken  for  flatu- 
lency. 
There  are  many  other  flowers  used  medicinally  in  China,  but  as  only  their 
native  names  are  given,  it  is  impossible  to  identify  them. 
The  flowers  of  Paronychia  argentca  are  used  in  Morocco  as  a  diaphoretic 
nd  for  abdominal  pain. 
