UY THE NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HERB DOCTOR. 
or senna it is advisable to use the fennel, as it not 
only helps to disguise the taste, but prevents griping, 
especially in the senna. About half as much of the fennel as 
the others will be sufficient. 
ANISEED (Prupinetta AnIsum.) 
The anise plant is a native of Egypt; it was brought to 
Europe early in history, It is mentioned in holy scripture as 
one of the offerings of the Pharisee. (See Matt. xxiii. 23.) 
In secular history we learn that it was cultivated in the 
gardens of Charlemagne, the founder of the German Empire. 
Besides its carminative qualities (which are very similar to the 
last and may be taken the same way and in similar doses), 
it has a beneficial effect on the organs of the throat and chest. 
In the cough of infants a few drops of the essence has been 
found to answer well. The celebrated paregoric owes its 
peculiar smell and much of its virtue to the oil of aniseed. 
The essence is simply one part oil and nine parts rectified 
spirits ; the dose of which is from five drops to a teaspoonful. 
It is also used in blend for flavouring liquor and comfits. In 
this list may be mentioned the following as having a carminative 
quality: Cardamon Seed, Cinnamon, Cloves, Coriander Seed, 
&c. They have all been found useful and may be tried when 
the other fails, or when they are at hand. The doses, &c., 
will be found given in the regular medicine. We will close 
this list with . 
CALAMUS ROOT (Acorvus Catamvs), 
(Or Sweet Flag.) 
This is a carminative, aromatic, and stoemachic. Itis a native 
of Europe and America, it is found growing in low swampy 
ground and along the sides of ditchesand streams. It flowers 
early in summer. The leaves as well as the roof have an 
aromatic odour. The plant is described as having long sword- 
shaped, smooth green leaves above, but near their origin from 
the root, of a red colour, variegated with green and white. 
The flowers are of a green yellowish colour; the fruit is an 
