96 THE NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HERB DOCTOR. 
many small fibres. It grows plentifully by water-sides and 
by small water courses. 
MEDICINAL VIRTUES. 
Mugwort removes obstructions of urine caused by stone. 
A. decoction is said to cure ague. The Chinese use it to cure 
wounds, applying the fresh plant bruised. A drachm of the 
leaves powdered was given four times a day, by Dr. Horne, to 
a woman who had been affected with hysteric fits for many 
years. The fits ceased in a few days. All other medicines 
had failed. Being made up with lard into an ointment, it 
takes away wens and kemmels that grcw about the throat. 
It is made more effectual by adding a few field daisies. 
Three drachms of the powder or the dried leaves taken in 
wine are a certain remedy for sciatica. A decocticn cf it 
with camomile and agrimony, and the place bathed while it is. 
warm, takes away the pains of the sinews, and the cramps. 
For fomentation, with wormwood and camomile, it 1s good to 
soothe inflammations, and as an emmenagogue to remove 
obstruction to the menses. Taken inthe warm infusion it will 
seldom disappoint. 
RUE (Rota GRAVEOLENs), 
Being a common garden plant, requires uttle or no description 
except to those who have been brought up in large cities. who 
have not had the opportunity cof seeing these domestic 
medicinal plants. Rue isa herb growing from one to two 
feet high. Tho stem rises from a ccntinuous fibrous root, and 
spreads into many branches, covered with small leaves like 
mouse ears. On the tops of the stems and branches are the 
small yellow flowers, very numerous. We have it growing at 
Caversham, and get twocropsa year off the same plants. The 
herb is the medicinai part, taken in infusion, decoction, Juice, or 
tincture. The ancients valued it very highly for its healing 
virtues. So highly was it esteemed that the Pharisee thought to 
commend himself to God on account of offering it with other 
herbs. (See Luke xi.42). Some may say that the reason why it 
is comparatively negiected now is because other and hetter have 
