Am.  Jour.  Pbarm.  i 
April,  1890.  / 
The  Medicinal  Uses  of  Leaves. 
193 
THE  MEDICINAL  USES  OF  LEAVES. 
By  P.  Iy.  Simmonds,  F.L.S. 
It  is  strange  how  assiduous  and  successful  both  civilized  and  savage  man 
have  been,  in  utilizing  for  some  economic  purpose,  every  portion  of  various  plants. 
Roots,  stems,  barks,  saps  and  exudations  ;  leaves,  flowers,  fruit  and  seeds  are 
alike  applied  to  some  useful  employment ;  especially  has  this  been  the  case  in 
pharmacy  and  medicine.  To  take  one  branch  of  vegetation,  the  foliage  of 
plants,  what  a  curious  investigation  for  study  does  it  offer  in  the  form,  color, 
texture  and  qualities  of  various  leaves,  and  the  employment  of  some  for  food, 
for  dyeing  and  tanning,  for  textile  manufacturing  and  other  economic  applica- 
tions, and  for  their  medicinal  properties.  It  is  the  last  division  I  propose  to 
consider  here.  Through  the  vulgar  error  of  undervaluing  what  is  common, 
we  are  apt  to  pass  leaves  by  as  of  little  worth.  A  close  scrutiny  and  careful 
examination  would  convince  us  of  the  economic  importance  of  these  foliose 
organs.  Their  dietetic  uses  are  alone  of  great  importance,  if  we  consider  merely 
culinary  vegetables,  tea  and  tobacco. 
In  glancing  through  various  botanical  and  medical  works,  I  have  jotted  down 
the  various  leaves  which  have  a  medicinal  or  healing  reputation,  and  the  list 
becomes  an  extensive  one.  Not  that  all  these  have  any  established  reputation, 
for  only  a  small  number  are  included  or  recognized  in  the  various  nationa 
pharmacopoeias,  but  their  employment  points  to  some  general  conceived 
opinion  as  to  their  useful  properties. 
I  have  not  thought  it  necessary  to  arrange  these  under  their  genera  and 
families,  but  merely  note  them  as  described,  under  the  belief  that  some  among 
them  may  be  found  worthy  of  closer  attention. 
The  leaves  of  Asteracantha  longifolia  are  used  in  India  as  a  diuretic. 
The  foliage  of  the  Eucalypts  of  Australia,  especially  E.  amygdalitis  citrio- 
dora,  globulus  and  others,  yield  a  large  supply  of  an  antiseptic  volatile  oil  of 
excellent  lemon-like  fragrance.  Cigars  made  of  the  leaves  have  been  recom- 
mended in  asthma. 
The  leaves  of  Pilocarpus  Pinnatifolius  are  famed  as  an  agreeable,  powerful 
and  quickly  acting  sudorific,  and  also  recommended  as  a  specific  in  diphtheria, 
as  well  as  in  typhoid  fever. 
The  foliage  of  Leonotis  Leonorus  has  some  therapeutic  properties  ;  the  leaves 
when  used  like  tobacco  are  highly  sternutative. 
Matico,  the  dried  leaves  of  Artanthe  elongata,  serves  as  a  powerful  styptic 
and  for  other  medicinal  purposes. 
The  foliage  of  Artemisia  Abrotanum  is  used  in  domestic  medicine,  and  also 
as  a  condiment. 
The  leaves  of  Hamamelis  virginica  are  renowned  in  the  States  for  their 
medicinal  properties. 
The  leaves  of  Cinnamon,  of  the  Camphortrce  and  of  Tetranthera  laurifplia 
are  used  to  make  aromatic  baths  for  persons  suffering  from  rheumatism. 
Bhang  consists  of  the  larger  leaves  and  capsules  of  Indian  hemp,  which  are 
used  for  making  intoxicating  drinks,  and  a  sort  of  intoxicating  conserve  or 
confection,  called  majoon. 
The  betel  leaf  {Chavica  Betel)  acts  as  a  powerful  stimulant  to  the  salivary 
