Toadflax. Decoction of herb in milk and 
a little sugar is an old-time fly killer. 
Tonka. Creoles place the beans in 
dresser drawers to repel insects and add 
scents, 
Wild Mint. According to an old report 
from a Canadian farmer, “Wild Mint is 
a sure and reliable exterminator of rats.”’ 
The herb was strewn around the walls or 
base of barns. 
Woodruff herb. Used to preserve and 
scent linens. 
Wormwood. In Shakespearean times it 
was said. “When chamber is swept and 
Wormwood is thrown, no flea for his life 
dare abide to be known.’ Wormwood was 
used in great quantities by cloth manufac- 
turers during Middle Ages to protect 
woolens from moths. Powdered Worm- 
wood strewn along the drills before sow- 
ing carrot or turnip seed protects the 
young plants from turnip flea beetle or 
carrot fly. 
BOTANICALS USED IN DYEING 
Alkanet. Roots soaked in oil or alcohol 
make a beautiful rich red color used in 
lipsticks and pomades. Roots soaked in 
water make a brownish hue. Alkalies 
render the color blue. 
Annatto. Golden color used in pomades, 
soaps, silks, varnishes, etc. 
Blood Root. An old Indian dye to make 
orange-red or brownish red hues. Used to 
color fabrics and native mats. 
Cudbear. Lichen used to make delicate 
pink and purples. 
Dragons Blood. Used in varnish and 
wood stain. 
Gamboge. Yields yellow dye used to 
color silk robes of Buddhist priests. 
Logwood. Fermented wood used to 
make shades of violet, blue and blackish 
colors. Decoction (not fermented) is 
astringent used in diarrhoea and dysen- 
tary. It imparts a red color to urine and 
stools. 
Madder. Crimson or Turkey red. 
Safflower. Used to make shades of yel- 
low and red in dyeing silks, crepes and 
woolens. 
Tea Leaves. Used to make rose tan. 
Woad or Dyer’s Weed. Young leaves 
make light blue dye; mature leaves, 
darker blue; old leaves, bluish-black. 
Yellow Root. Used to dye fabrics 
yellow. 
All plain herbs sold in 85c and $1.00 
size boxes. 
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