Antidotes.—Lime or chalk.
Treatment.—Medicines, soothing drinks, flaxseed tea, etc.
OPIUM. Symptoms.—Excitement at first, soon weariness, weighty limbs, sleepiness, pin-point pupils, pulse and breathing slow and strong, patient roused with difficulty and later it is impossible, snoring breathing.
Treatment.—This is a dangerous poison. A stomach pump should be used. Emetics, such as mustard water, or warm salt water or vaselin, etc. Keep patient awake, stimulants, coffee enemas, artificial respiration, etc.
PARIS GREEN. Symptoms.—Violent burning in the stomach, nausea, and vomiting, retching, thirst, purging of blood and mucus, suppressed urine, cramps in the legs, intense thirst, collapse.
Antidotes.—Jeaunel's antidote.
Treatment.—Emetics freely, mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease, etc. White of egg and milk first, and then sweet oil or castor oil.
PAREGORIC. Symptoms.—Excitement at first, soon weariness, weighty limbs, sleepiness, pin-point pupils, pulse and breathing slow and strong, patient roused with difficulty and later it is impossible, snoring breathing.
Treatment.—This is a dangerous poison. A stomach pump should be used. Emetics such as mustard and warm water or warm salt water, or vaselin, etc. Keep patient awake, stimulants, coffee enemas, artificial respiration, etc.
PHOSPHORUS MATCHES. Symptoms.—Vomiting and pain, the vomit may be luminous in the dark, characteristic odor, after several days deep jaundice, blood in vomited matter and bloody stools, pulse is rapid and weak.
Treatment.—Emetics to cause vomiting such as warm salt water, warm mustard water, etc., followed by epsom salts in large doses; five to ten drops of turpentine.
POTASH, CAUSTIC. Symptoms.—Intense inflammation of the stomach and bowels, often with bloody vomiting and purging; lips and tongue swollen; violent difficulty in breathing; characteristic odor.
Antidotes.—Lemon juice and water, vinegar and water half and half.
Treatment.—Milk, soothing drinks; sweet oil or castor oil, bland drinks like flaxseed tea, slippery elm, albumen water, white of egg water. The oil should be used last.
POISONOUS PLANTS. Symptoms.—Vomiting, terrible weakness.
Treatment.—Emetics such as warm mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease, vaselin, lard, etc.; strong coffee, brandy; heat to extremities, artificial respiration.
ROUGH ON RATS. Symptoms.—Violent burning in stomach, nausea, and vomiting, retching, thirst, purging of blood and mucus, Suppressed urine, cramps in legs, intense thirst, collapse.
Antidote.—Jeannel's antidote.
Treatment.—Emetics freely such as warm mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease, etc. White of egg and milk first, and then sweet oil or castor oil.
SALTPETRE. Symptoms.—Intense inflammation of the stomach and bowels, often with bloody vomiting and purging; lips and tongue swollen; violent difficulty in breathing; characteristic odor.
Antidotes.—Lemon juice and water, vinegar and water half and half.
Treatment.—Milk, soothing drinks; sweet oil or castor oil, bland drinks like flaxseed tea, slippery elm, albumen (white of egg) water. The oil should be used last.
SANTONIN. Symptoms.—Object looks blue, then yellow, ringing ears, dizziness.
Treatment.—Emetics such as warm mustard water, warm salt water, goose grease, lard, etc.; stimulants, brandy, strong coffee.
STRYCHNINE. Symptoms.—Appear quickly. Terrible convulsions, in paroxysms, devilish grin, the body is curved backward, jaw set.
Treatment.—Cause vomiting, with warm salt water, warm mustard water, lard, vaselin, etc.; sixty grains of bromide of potash and thirty grains of chloral hydrate by the rectum. Dark, quiet room.
SPOILED FOODS. Symptoms.—Vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, weakness, cold hands and feet.
Treatment.—Emetics such as warm salt water until patient vomits freely; or mustard water, lard, goose grease, vaselin, tickle throat with feather, etc.
SULPHURIC ACID. Symptoms.—The stomach and bowels are irritated and inflamed, the mouth may burn and bleed; swallowing is difficult. "Coffee grounds" vomiting. Pulse feeble, clammy skin.
Treatment.—Usually the first thing to do is to give an emetic. Send for a doctor and give an emetic. Then give chalk or, if necessary, take plaster from wall, mix it with a glass of water. Also three or four eggs (raw) in a glass of milk can be taken.
TARTAR EMETIC. Symptoms.—Metallic taste, violent vomiting, becoming bloody, feeble pulse; pain and burning in the stomach. Violent watery purging, becoming bloody; cramps in the extremities, thirst, great weakness; sometimes prostration, collapse, unconsciousness.
Antidotes.—Tannic acid, twenty drops to glass of water.
Treatment.—Soothing drinks, milk, white of egg and water, flaxseed tea, etc., external heat.
TOBACCO. Symptoms.—Vomiting, terrible weakness.
Treatment.—Emetics, such as warm salt water, warm mustard water, goose grease, lard, vaselin, etc.; then stimulants such as strong, coffee, brandy; heat to extremities, artificial respiration.
WINE OF ANTIMONY. Symptoms.—Metallic taste, violent vomiting, becoming bloody, feeble pulse; pain and burning in the stomach. Violent watery purging, becoming bloody; cramps in the extremities, thirst, great weakness; sometimes prostration, collapse, unconsciousness.
Antidotes.—Tannic acid, twenty drops to glass of water.
Treatment.—Soothing drinks, milk, white of egg and water, flax seed tea, etc.; external heat.
OVER ONE HUNDRED (100) MEDICAL HERBSPartially Illustrated, with Full and Detailed Explanation asto Their Internal and External Uses, Part to Be Used,When to Gather, Time of Flowering,Where Found, Preparation for Medicine,Teas, Etc., and Full Directions for Using.
In preparing this department we have been governed by two essential observations. First, that the tendency in American and Canadian homes is to the return to the good old home remedies that mother and grandmother used so successfully. We have, therefore, tried to choose in this list of over one hundred herbs, the most common ones, ones that could be prepared at home easily and quickly and which would be perfectly safe for the average person to administer as medicine.
Second, upon a close examination of the herb departments of practically all of the medical works or receipt books sold for family use today we discovered that only general information and directions were given. In this connection, we have endeavored, and we believe successfully, to supply what other books have neglected,—definite directions for the preparation, dose, etc. Should a physician leave a bottle of medicine at your home without directions you would not think of using it, and it is just as useless and indiscreet for a young mother to attempt to use herbs from the field without explicit directions for their preparation and administration.
We give below a few important directions for gathering, keeping and preparation of herbs, etc., for reference when using herbs not in this list. Those in the list are explained under their respective headings.
Drying and Preserving Roots, Herbs, Barks, etc.—Gather herbs when the weather is fine, when there is no dew upon them, when the flowers are in full bloom or the seeds are ripening. By gathering the herbs yourself you are assured of their being fresh although, if living in the city, you can purchase them ready prepared in ounce packages for about five cents at any drug store. Should you gather them yourself dry them in the shade, after which they should be kept from exposure to the air by wrapping up in paper or keeping in paper bags, tied and hung up in the attic or other dry place. If hanging exposed in your home for a long time watch them that moths do not gather in them and make their nests.
[Illustration: BLOODROOT][Illustration: ELDER FLOWERS][Illustration: PLEURISY ROOT][Illustration: SNAKE HEAD][Illustration: SENECA SNAKE ROOT][Illustration: GINSENG][Illustration: MANDRAKE OR MAY-APPLE][Illustration: WAHOO][Illustration: SCOURING RUSH][Illustration: BONESET][Illustration: ROCK ROSE][Illustration: TANSY][Illustration: BEARBERRY][Illustration: ST. JOHN'S WORT][Illustration: WORMWOOD][Illustration: TRUE CHAMOMILE][Illustration: INDIAN TOBACCO OR LOBELIA][Illustration: CANADA FLEABANE][Illustration: MARSH MARIGOLD][Illustration: AMERICAN WORMSEED][Illustration: ELECAMPANE][Illustration: MUSTARD][Illustration: PARTRIDGE BERRY]
Roots should be dug in the spring when the sap is rising if you wish to make extract; or they may be gathered in autumn when they have ceased to vegetate. To dry for winter use they should be sliced, dried and kept from the air.
Barks should be stripped when the tree is in full leaf and dried in the shade. The bark of the roots should be taken in the fall, when the sap has descended.
Flowers and Seeds.—Flowers should be gathered when in full bloom and free from the dew and should be kept from exposure to the air. Be sure that seeds have fully matured; dry them also in a shady place and keep ready for use.
Preparation of Herbs for Medicine.—There are many different methods ofpreparing herbs for medicine,—Infusion, Decoction, Fomentation, Ointment,Plaster, Poultice, Powder, Essence, Tincture, etc. Only five of these,Plaster, Poultice, Fomentations, Decoction and Infusion are commonly used.An infusion is more commonly called "tea."
Infusion or Tea, to make.—Usually about one ounce of the herb to a pint of water is used for an infusion. Sometimes cold water is poured over the herb, but the most common method is to pour boiling water over the herb and let stand for a short time, just as you would make common tea for the table. Sometimes a little sugar may be added to make the tea more palatable. An infusion or tea should be used while fresh.
Decoction, to make.—Make same as for infusion and boil for some time, just as you would make coffee.
Essence, to make.—Take about an ounce of the essential oil of the herb and dissolve in a pint of alcohol.
Fomentations, to make.—Dip cloths or heavy towels in the infusion or decoction, wring out and apply locally to part that you wish to cover.
Ointments or Salve, to make.—An easy method to make a salve or ointment is to take about eight parts of vaselin or lard or any like substance and add two parts of the remedy you wish to use. Thus, if you were to make a sulphur salve you would use eight ounces of vaselin and two ounces of sulphur; stir and mix well while hot and when cool you would have a regular sulphur salve or ointment.
Plasters, to make.—Bruise the leaves, root, or other part of the plant and place between two pieces of cloth, just as you would a mustard plaster, and apply to the surface you wish to cover.
Poultices, to make.—Poultices are used to apply heat (moist heat), to soothe or to draw. Usually a soft substance is used, such as soap and sugar, bread and milk, mustard, etc. Some cause a counter-irritation, some draw the blood from a congested part and thus relieve pain. In the chapter on nursing many different poultices are given with methods of preparing them.
Powder, to make.—The part to be used is crushed, pounded, or ground until it is made very fine. It is best to have substance dry if to be prepared for powder.
Syrups, to make.—After preparing the substance for a tea boil for some time, then add considerable sugar and stir until all is nicely dissolved. To each pint of this syrup add one ounce of glycerin and seal up in bottles or cans as you would fruit.
Tincture, to make.—Take one ounce of the powdered herb and add 4 ounces of water and 12 ounces of alcohol, let stand for two weeks. A dram of glycerin may be added. After standing for two weeks pour off liquid and bottle for use. If it is necessary for you to use a tincture we would advise that you buy it at a drug store, as it is not often made properly at home. The above is a safe method for making a tincture and would not be especially strong. Should the herb used have a very weak medicinal power one to four ounces of the herb may be used for the above amount of water and alcohol.
ALDER, SPOTTED.—Snapping Hazelnut. Winterbloom. Witch Hazel. Hamamelis.
Internally used for.—Falling of the womb, sore mouth, falling of the bowel, piles, bleeding diarrhea.
Externally used for.—Sore eyes, ulcers, sores, enlarged veins, sprains, bruises and ivy poisoning.
Gather.—In the fall.
Flowers (when).—From September to November.
Grows (where).—In all sections of the United States, especially in damp woods.
Prepared (how).—As a poultice, ointment, decoction. Make a decoction by using one and one-half ounces of the fresh bark or leaves, boiled in a pint of water. The medicine can be bought at any drug store.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—For sore mouth, throat, leucorrhea, falling of the womb and bowel, use the decoction strong locally. It should not cause any pain. For falling bowel, use a full strength injection and apply locally with cloths on the sore bowels. Used locally for bleeding from the nose or from pulling teeth. For piles, an ointment can be made by using strong decoction and cosmaline mixed. Apply decoction locally on varicose veins or varicose ulcers. It is often used in the form of "Pond's Extract." For diarrhea one to three ounces every three hours. Good also applied locally for burns, old sores, eczema, ivy poisoning, bruises.
BALMONY. Snakehead. Fish Mouth. Turtlebloom. Bitter Herb. Salt Rheum Weed.Chelone Glabra.
Internally used for.—Dyspepsia, weak digestive organs, jaundice.
Gather.—In the fall.
Flowers (when).—From July to late Autumn.
Grows (where).—Found in the United States in wet grounds.
Prepared (how).—Leaves made into a powder or tea. One ounce of the leaves to a pint of boiling water to make the tea. Let steep.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of the powder, for above-named diseases, one-half to one even teaspoonful, four times a day. Dose of the tea for the above diseases, one to two ounces three or four times a day. The tea is the best to use. Gentian can be added to this remedy, if desired, when a more active bitter tonic is wanted. Use same amount of each and make into a tea. Dose of combination, one to two ounces before meals.
BAYBERRY.—Wax Myrtle. Waxberry. Candleberry. Myrica Cerifera.
Gather.—Collect it late in the fall, dry without exposure to moisture, pound with a hammer to separate the bark, powder and keep in dark, sealed vessels.
Grows (where).—In damp places in United States, especially in New Jersey.
Prepared (how).—As a powder, poultice, decoction. To make decoction use one ounce of the bark to a pint of water and boil.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—For jaundice, use the decoction, one to three ounces, every two to five hours. For diarrhea and dysentery one-half ounce every two hours. For blood diseases and scrofula, take two ounces four times daily. Poultice for scrofulous tumors and ulcers, alone, or with elm. For sore throat, mouth and gums gargle freely with the decoction. A plaster can be made and used on ulcers. Dose of powder: twenty to thirty grains, three times a day.
BEARBERRY. Upland or Wild Cranberry. Mountain Box. Red Berry. Arbutus UvaUrsi.
Internally, used for.—Its special use is in kidney and bladder troubles. It may be used in diarrhea, dysentery, leucorrhea, but as stated it is better for cystitis, urinary trouble, etc., gonorrhea.
Gather.—In autumn, and use only the green leaves.
Grows (where).—On mountains and dry land in United States, Europe andAsia.
Prepared (how).—As a powder or decoction. For decoction use one ounce of the leaves and boil in one and one-half pints of distilled water. Boil down to a pint.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—One to three ounces every two to four hours for gonorrhea, with bloody and mucous discharges and pain in the bladder. For cystitis one ounce every two hours. For kidney troubles one ounce four times a day. If taken long or in too large doses it irritates the kidneys.
BEECHDROPS. Cancer Root. Epipegus Virginiana.
Internally, used for.—An astringent for bleeding from the bowels and womb, and for diarrhea.
Externally, used for.—Erysipelas and skin eruptions, ulcers, and also good as an injection in leucorrhea.
Flowers (when).—In August and September.
Grows (where).—All parts of North America.
Prepared (how).—As a powder, decoction, and poultice. To make a decoction take one ounce of the root to a pint of water and boil. Keep adding water to make a full pint.
Diseases, Doses, etc.—The decoction has been used in erysipelas, one-half to one ounce every two hours. Same dose for bleeding and diarrhea. Dose of powder ten to fifteen grains, four times a day. Decoction can be used locally in erysipelas. This is also good for ulcers and wounds, and for skin affections applied locally; or a poultice can be used. A poultice of this remedy, poke and white oak, equal parts, is very good for old sores. Useful locally also for sore mouth and throat, and as an injection for leucorrhea.
BETHROOT. Birth Root. Ground Lily. Lambs Quarter. Wake Robin. Indian Balm.Three-Leaved Night-Shade. Trillium Purpureum.
Internally used for.—Astringent, tonic, antiseptic. For bleeding from lungs, kidneys and womb, for leucorrhea and for confinement. Also for diarrhea, nose-bleed.
Externally.—The root is used as a poultice for tumors, lazy ulcers, buboes, carbuncles, stings of insects.
Gather.—In autumn.
Flowers (when).—In May and June.
Grows (where).—In middle western and southern states.
Prepared (how).—As a poultice, powder and infusion. Use one to one and one-half ounce of root to a pint of boiling water for infusion.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—For female weakness, bleeding, leucorrhea, and bearing down particularly, bloody urine, two to four ounces, of the strong tea, four times daily, and also used as an injection in leucorrhea, once daily. For bleeding from the lungs, one ounce every hour for a few doses. For dysentery and diarrhea boil one ounce in a pint of milk and use two ounces every two to four hours. Powdered root, given in hot water, may be used in doses of one-half to one teaspoonful three times a day, instead of infusion. Taken after confinement, use the infusion four times a day, smell of the red bethroots.
BLACKBERRY. Dewberry or low blackberry. Red Raspberry.
Internally, used for.—Tonic and astringent, diarrhea, bleeding from the bowels and womb, injection for leucorrhea.
Externally, used for.—Gonorrhea, gleet.
Flowers (when).—Spring.
Grows (where).—Almost everywhere.
Prepared (how).—Use one ounce of the leaves of raspberry or bark of either of the others, to a pint of water and boil to make a decoction.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—For diseases mentioned, such as diarrhea, take one tablespoonful every four hours. For injection use the decoction. This is used once daily for leucorrhea, gleet, gonorrhea, falling of the womb and bowel. Internally it is also used as a diuretic.
BLACK HAW. Viburnum Prunifolium.
Internally, used for.—Tonic, astringent, diuretic and alterative. Tonic for the womb, for threatened abortion and prevention of miscarriage. Good for severe after-pains, and for bleeding from the womb.
Flowers (when).—From March to July.
Grows (where).—Most abundant in the middle states and southern.
Prepared (how).—As an infusion and tincture (or fluid extract). Prepare infusion by adding one ounce of bark of the root to a pint of boiling water.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—For threatened abortion or miscarriage use infusion three or four times daily, in two teaspoonfuls doses, a week or two before, it usually has occurred; or the tincture in ten to twenty drop doses five times daily. For bleeding from the womb take ten to twenty drops, four times daily, a few days before the time for the flow.
BLOOD ROOT. Red Puceoon. Red Root. Sanguinaria Canadensis.
Internally, used for.—Tonic, emetic, and for sick headache.
Externally, used for.—Ulcers, ringworms and warts.
Flowers (when).—Appears early in March and April.
Grows (where).—Most parts of United States in woods, groves, in shaded banks, in rich light soil.
Prepared (how).—An Infusion and powder. For an infusion one ounce to one pint of vinegar.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of powder as an emetic, ten to twenty grains. Dose of infusion as an emetic one to four teaspoonfuls: For ringworm, tetter and warts, it is applied locally, freely. Applied to ulcers and growths, it often cures, and removes the growths. As a tonic for the stomach, the dose should be small, one to one and one-half teaspoonful of the infusion four times daily, and for sick headache it should be half as much and not repeated oftener than twice, a half hour apart.
BLUE FLAG. Flower de Luce. Flag Lily. Snake Lily. Liver Lily. IrisVersicolor.
Internally, used for.—Chronic liver troubles, sick or bilious headache, cathartic, catarrh of the upper bowel, jaundice, round worms, indigestion, chronic rheumatism.
Gather.—In the fall. It must be kept fresh.
Flowers (when).—May or June.
Grows (where).—Found in all parts of the United States, growing in wet places, in meadows and borders of swamps. Prepared (how).—In powder, tincture or fluid extract. They can all be bought.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—As a cathartic, five to twenty grains of powder. If it nauseates, mix with it a few grains of capsicum or ginger. Dose of saturated tincture, ten to sixty drops. Fluid extract, twenty to sixty drops. For sick headache one drop doses every hour. For chronic liver troubles, five to ten drops of tincture, four times daily. Same dose for all chronic diseases. For round worms, large doses must be used, enough to move the bowels. Following is good for indigestion and biliousness: Fluid extract of blue flag and golden seal each; one-half ounce, simple elixir, one ounce. Take a dessertspoonful in hot water, before meals.
BONESET.—Thoroughwort. Fever Wort. Sweating Plant. Cross Wort. IndianSage. Ague Weed. Vegetable Antimony. Eupatorium Perfoliatum.
Internally, used for.—Ague, malarial fevers, influenza, colds, tonic, cathartic.
Externally, used for.—A fomentation.
Gather.—When at its best in early autumn.
Flowers (when).—In August and September.
Grows (where).—All over the United States.
Prepared (how).—Powder. Infusion, one and one-half ounces to a pint of water.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—For malarial fever, a hot strong infusion taken freely as hot as possible. Teacupful at a time often enough to produce sweating. Same way for colds and influenza. Use the cold infusion as a tonic and laxative. As a tonic it is useful after fevers, etc. Dose of powder ten to twenty grains. Dose of infusion two to four ounces. It can be combined with tansy and hops and makes splendid fomentation.
BROOKLIME. Veronica Beccabunga.
Internally, used for.—Scurvy and for the menses, obstructed menstruation.
Gather.—Early autumn.
Flowers (when).—From April to August.
Grows (where).—Eastern and northern states, and grows in small streams and near watercourses.
Prepared (how).—As a decoction, and it may be used freely.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—For scurvy used to purify the blood. It is used in decoction to regulate menstruation, and should be taken freely and warm and begun a day before the menstrual period.
BUCHU. A South African plant of the genus Barosma.
Internally, used for.—Bladder troubles. In irritable bladder and urethra, due to increased sand in the urine, inflammation.
Gather.—Buy in drug store.
Grows (where).—In Africa.
Prepared (how).—Infusion; make it by putting one ounce of the leaves to a pint of boiling water and let it steep.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose is two to four ounces, three or four times a day in chronic cases of bladder trouble, or one ounce every two or three hours in acute cases. It is very good when the urine is not free or is painful to pass. In acute and chronic inflammation, but more especially in the acute form. If it injures the stomach it can be used in alternation with pumpkin seed tea.
BURDOCK. Arctium Lappa.
Internally, used for.—Kidney troubles, rheumatism, syphilis, skin diseases. Must be used a long time.
Externally, used for.—Can be used as an ointment.
Gather.—In the spring.
Grows (where).—Almost everywhere.
Prepared (how).—As a decoction, two ounces to a pint of water or fluid extract can be bought.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of decoction: This should be used freely as it is not strong, one pint can be taken in twenty-four hours. Used as an ointment for skin diseases; the juice, of the leaves, is mixed with lard, cream or vaselin. This remedy is used frequently in combination with other blood remedies, for the above named diseases and is very beneficial.
CARROT. Wild Carrot. Bird's Nest. Bee's Nest. Daucus Carota.
Internally, used for.—Dropsy, chronic kidney troubles and gravel.
Externally, used for.—Ulcers: as a poultice.
Flowers (when).—June to September.
Grows (where).—In neglected fields and by roadsides.
Prepared (how).—In infusion (tea) by using one ounce to a pint of boiling water and allow it to steep, but not to boil.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose, two to four ounces of the infusion, three or four times a day, for diseases mentioned. When the infusion is made from the seeds the dose is only about one-third of a teaspoonful four times daily. For external use for troublesome ulcers, scrape or grate the root and apply to the ulcers.
CATNIP. Catmint. Catwort. Nepeta Cataria.
Internally, used for.—Sweating, nervous troubles, colic and tonic.
Externally, used for.—Poultices and fomentations.
Gather.—Early autumn.
Flowers (when).—June to September.
Grows (where).—Grows in dry neglected places, about old buildings and fences.
Prepared (how).—The infusion should be prepared by adding one ounce of the plant to a pint of boiling water, Do not let it boil, but only steep; stand only a few minutes; when wanted as a tonic, use it cold. When used for sweating purposes, etc., it must be used hot.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Drink as freely as the stomach will permit. It is frequently used for colic in babies in doses of half to one teaspoonful, warm. To produce sweating it should be used hot and freely taken. A combination of catnip, lady's slipper and skullcap, equal parts, either in the infusion or fluid extract, one dram doses, is good for nervous headache, hysteria, chorea. Leaves are used as a fomentation. The expressed juice of the plant is good for amenorrhea in one to two teaspoonful doses five times daily.
CELANDINE.—Tetter Wort. Chelidonium Majus.
Internally, used for.—Liver and skin troubles.
Externally, used for.—Warts, corns, salt rheum.
Flowers (when).—Throughout the summer.
Grows (where).—In the United States in waste places.
Prepared (how).—It is best used internally in the tincture, powdered root, or fresh juice.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—For liver disease, it is especially good where the pain is under the right shoulder blade. Use the tincture in ten-drop doses three times a day. Externally rub the juice on the corn or wart. Make an ointment from the root and rub this on the skin for salt rheum. It is said to be good for piles also. Dose:—Powdered root ten to twenty to thirty grains. Tincture, ten to twenty drops, and of the juice ten to twenty drops.
CHAMOMILE. Roman Chamomile. Anthemis Nobilis.
Internally, used for.—Tonic in small doses, dyspepsia, colic, cramp, diarrhea, dysmenorrhea.
Externally, used for.—Fomentation, boiled in vinegar and applied to painful swellings.
Gather.—When in bloom.
Flowers (when).—Summer.
Grows (where).—Native of Europe. It grows wild in the United States.
Prepared (how).—As an infusion use a half ounce to a pint of boiling water, steep and take freely.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Use cold infusion in dyspepsia; warm infusion for colic and cramps, and for diarrhea in children, especially of the green kind of stools. Dose:—One teaspoonful every two or three hours. Good for nervousness in teething children. An oil also is used, two to five drops on sugar. This is given for colic, cramps, and in painful dysmenorrhea.
CLEAVERS. Goose Grass. Catch Weed. Clivers. Bed Straw. Galium Aparine.
Internally, used for.—Suppression of the urine, gravel, inflammation of the kidneys and bladder, and for scalding urine in gonorrhea.
Externally, used for.—Freckles.
Gather.—Early autumn.
Flowers (when).—From June to September.
Grows (where).—Common in the United States, growing on cultivated grounds, moist thickets, and along fences and hedges.
Prepared (how).—Infusion. Use one and one-half ounces of the herb in a pint of warm water and allow it to steep for two hours.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Take two to four ounces of the infusion three or four times a day, when it is cold. The dose can be lessened and taken oftener. It may be sweetened with sugar when taken for the diseases named above. Also equal parts of cleavers, maidenhair, and elder blows, steeped in warm water for two or three hours and drank freely when cold forms an excellent drink in erysipelas, scarlet fever and measles. An infusion made with cold water is good to remove freckles; wash the parts several times daily for two or three months.
CLOVES. Caryophyllus.
Internally, used for.—Flatulent colic, diarrhea, cholera morbus, toothache, (oil of cloves).
Gather.—Collect flowers in October and November, before they are fully developed and dry quickly.
Grows (where).—In tropical climate.
Prepared (how).—Boil two or three teaspoonfuls of the ground cloves in a half pint of milk.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Two to four teaspoonfuls every twenty to thirty minutes for gas colic, or diarrhea where the bowels need tone. The oil can be used in three to five-drop doses. Also good to place in hollow teeth. Put a little of the oil on cotton and insert into the tooth. It is also good to add to other medicines to stop griping and nausea.
BLUE COHOSH. Squaw Root. Papoose Root. Blue Berry. CaulophyllumThalictroides.
Internally, used for.—Nervous affection, rheumatism, womb troubles, such as amenorrhea, leucorrhea; used previous to labor it is beneficial and also good for afterpains.
Externally, used for.—Sore throat. Part used.—Root.
Gather.—Latter part of summer or in autumn.
Grows (where).—All over the United States in low moist rich grounds, near running streams, in swamps, etc.
Prepared (how).—As an infusion or decoction. It can be bought in the fluid extract form. Make a tea by adding one ounce of the root to a pint of boiling water. Decoction is made by allowing it to boil some length of time.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of fluid extract fifteen to thirty drops. Dose of tea, two to four ounces, three or four times daily. Dose of decoction, one-half the amount. When used in acute disease, the dose should not be more than one-fourth as much and given every one or two hours. For rheumatism it is especially valuable, when small joints like the fingers and toes are involved. It is very good in the chronic womb diseases named above. It should be used in small doses several weeks prior to labor. It is said to assist in making labor easier.
BLACK COHOSH. Rattle Root. Black Snake Root. Squaw Root. Rich Weed.Cimicifuga Racemosa.
Internally, used for.—Chorea, dependent upon rheumatism; rheumatism, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, leucorrhea, afterpains.
Gather.—Early in the autumn and dry in the shade.
Flowers (when).—In June and July.
Grows (where).—Native of United States. Grows in shady and rocky woods, rich grounds and on sides of hills.
Prepared (how).—Powder; decoction, one ounce to a pint of water; and tincture.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of decoction half to one ounce; of powder ten to twenty grains. For chorea, use powder, twenty grains, three times a day. Use tincture or fluid extract or the decoction for womb affections. Dose of tincture, thirty to sixty drops three times daily. Fluid extract, ten to thirty drops three times daily; for afterpains give half as much about every three hours. In making the decoction you can make it stronger by boiling longer. The dose must then be less, according to the strength. This is a very useful remedy. For rheumatism, especially the chronic kind, it is often beneficial.
COMFREY. Healing Herb. Gum Plant.
Internally, used for.—An astringent and soothing agent in diarrhea, dysentery, coughs, lung affections, female weakness, leucorrhea, and urinary diseases.
Externally, used for.—Bruises, ruptures, fresh wounds, sore breasts, ulcers and swellings.
Flowers (when).—May or June.
Prepared (how).—It is boiled in water or wine or it can be made into syrup. For external use bruise the root and apply it to the diseased part.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of the syrup one to four ounces, two or three times a day. For the diseases named it is best to take it in smaller doses and oftener, say four teaspoonfuls every hour or two; children in proportion.
CORN SILK. Zea Mays.
Internally, used for.—Diuretic, quieting to the urinary passages. Congested kidney, dropsy from heart disease, chronic nephritis, suppression of the urine, renal colic, haematuria, cystitis.
Prepared (how).—Make a tea and drink freely. Fluid extract can be bought.
Diseases., Dose, etc.—Dose: One to two teaspoonfuls of fluid extract three or four times a day, or drink freely of tea for above diseases.
CRANBERRY (High). Cramp Bark. Viburnum Opulus.
Internally, used for.—Cramps and spasms of all kinds, asthma, hysteria; cramps in the legs, especially during pregnancy, or at labor.
Gather.—Early autumn.
Flowers (when).—In June.
Grows (where).—In Canada and northern United States, in low rich lands, woods, borders of fields.
Prepared (how).—Use an ounce of the bark, powdered, to a quart of wine.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Take half a wineglassful four times a day for continued use. For hysteria attacks, asthma spasms, less should be used and taken oftener for a few doses. The following combination is effective for the spasmodic attacks, above named: Cramp bark two ounces, scull cap and skunk cabbage one ounce each, cloves one-half ounce, capsicum two even teaspoonfuls. Powder all, and bruise and add to them two quarts of good native wine. Dose: one or two ounces two or three times a day; oftener and smaller doses for hysteria, etc. It should be taken for two or three months during pregnancy.
CRAWLEY. Dragon's Claw. Coral Teeth. Fever Root. Chicken Toes. AlbanyBeechdrops. Corallorhiza Odontorhiza.
Internally, used for.—Sweating purposes in fevers and inflammatory diseases, acute erysipelas, pleurisy, low stages of fevers, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, in afterpains, and suppressed lochia.
Gather.—In the fall.
Flowers (When).—In July. No leaves.
Grows (where).—Found on barren hills and shady uplands in northern states and Canada.
Prepared (how) .—Powder and keep it in well closed bottles.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of powder, from ten to twenty grains in hot water and repeated every hour or two as needed. Combined with blue cohosh, it is very beneficial in amenorrhea, etc., as above stated. In fevers, Culver's root can be added to it, if the bowels need regulating. It is also good for flatulent colic in twenty-grain doses. Some combine pleurisy root with it in pleurisy. It should be given in acute diseases every one to two hours as needed.
CRANESBILL (spotted). Crowfoot. Tormentil. Storkbill. Alum Root. GeraniumMaculalum.
Internally, used for.—Second stage of dysentery, diarrhea in an infusion of milk; in bleedings, sore mouth, leucorrhea, gleet, menorrhagia and excessive mucous discharges, nose-bleed, bleeding from extracted teeth, piles, bleeding after labor, sore throat.
Gather.—Collected in late autumn.
Flowers (when).—From April to June.
Grows (where).—In United States in open woods, thickets and hedges.
Prepared (how).—Powder. Use one and one-half ounces of the root and boil it in a pint of water or milk.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose: one to two tablespoonfuls. Use the watery decoction as a gargle for sore mouth and throat. For piles:—Inject a strong decoction and retain as long as possible; or apply an ointment of two ounces of the root to tobacco ointment seven ounces, and apply three or four times a day. Nose-bleed and bleeding from teeth extraction:—Apply the powder or strong decoction to the part. Bleeding from the womb:— Inject strong decoction or apply on gauze or cotton to inner womb. Decoction, two parts to one part blood root, forms a good injection for leucorrhea and gonorrhea. Good in latter stages of diarrhea and dysentery of children, boiled in milk, given in teaspoonful doses, every one to three hours.
CULVER'S ROOT. Veronica. Black Root. Culver's Physic. Tall Speedwell.Leptandra Virginica.
Internally, used for.—A laxative, bilious fever, dyspepsia due to inactive liver and bowels.
Gather.—In the autumn.
Flowers (when).—In July and August.
Grows (where).—In limestone lands and in rich moist places, woods, thickets, and barrens.
Prepared (how).—As a powder, extract and infusion. Fluid extract can be bought. To make decoction, use one ounce of the powdered root to one pint of water and let boil. If you use the green root put one ounce in cold water, and let it remain there for one hour.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of the powder of dry root, one small teaspoonful as a cathartic. This will bring away a black tarry discharge. Then it is better to use the decoction; one to two teaspoonfuls every two hours. Dose of extract is one-fourth of a grain. This is a good form to give, when the liver is acting badly. Good also for indigestion, in this form when due to inactive liver and costive bowels.
DANDELION. Leontodon Taraxacum.
Internally, used for.—Liver when it is torpid and engorged. It is also laxative and tonic.
Gather.—July, August and September.
Flowers (when).—During spring and summer.
Grows (where).—Everywhere, it seems.
Prepared (how).—Juice is used, also infusion, extract and fluid extract.Infusion, two ounces of root to the pint of water.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of infusion one to two ounces. Juice, ten drops to one-half teaspoonful. Extract, ten grains. Fluid extract, one to two teaspoonfuls. It should be taken often enough, when the liver is torpid, to move the bowels once or twice a day. If the infusion is used, begin with a half ounce and take every three hours; increase or decrease as necessary. The extract is pleasanter and less bulky and best to use in winter. Take two or three grains every three hours more or less.
DEVIL'S BIT. False Unicorn Root. Drooping Starwort. Blazing Star. HeloniasDivica. Somewhat similar to true unicorn root.
Internally, used for.—Used mainly in womb troubles, strengthens the womb and prevents miscarriages. Good also for leucorrhea, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea.
Gather.—In autumn.
Flowers (when).—June and July.
Grows (where).—In low grounds in United States and Canada.
Prepared (how).—Powdered root and decoction.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—It is a tonic to the womb and should be used for two months before the time the miscarriage usually occurs. For the other womb troubles, it should be taken four times a day. The fluid extract can be bought at any drug store, and can be used. Dose: Fifteen drops, four times daily. Dose of powder, ten to twenty grains. Decoction, one to two ounces.
ELDER (Sweet). Black-berried Elder. Sambucus Canadensis.
Internally, used for.—Erysipelas, kidneys, for sweating purposes, blood diseases and scarlet fever.
Externally, used for.—Burns, scalds, ulcers, skin diseases and weak eyes.
Gather.—Gather when in flower and when berries are ripe.
Flowers (when).—In summer.
Grows (where).—Grows in all parts of United States and Canada.
Prepared (how).—Infusion, one ounce of the flowers or root to a pint of boiling water.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Use warm infusion for sweating and for erysipelas, half teaspoonful every three hours. Too much taken will move the bowels and also cause vomiting. Same for scarlet fever in adults. Infusion of the bark of the root may be taken in doses of half ounce twice daily, to act as a cathartic. Local, use inner bark of the limbs and steep with cream and apply freely and often for burns, sores, etc. For weak eyes make a tea from the flowers and use as an eye wash for children.
ELECAMPANE. Inula Helenium.
Internally, used for.—For sweating, expectorant, bronchitis, dyspepsia and dysmenorrhea.
Gather.—Autumn.
Flowers (when).—In July and August.
Grows (where).—In Europe and Japan. Cultivated in United States and grows in moist places and about houses. Prepared (how).—Use half ounce of the powdered root to a pint of boiling water and boil to make a decoction.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—For bronchitis, dyspepsia and dysmenorrhea, take half ounce doses four times daily. For sweating and painful menses take two teaspoonfuls of the hot decoction every two hours until relieved.
FLEABANE. Pridewood. Blood Staunch. Mare's Tail. Colt's Tail. Fireweeds.Erigeron Canadensis.
Internally, used for.—Diarrhea, dysentery, gravel, painful urination, piles, bleeding from the womb and bowels.
Gather.—Collect while in flower.
Flowers (when).—July and August.
Grows (where).—In United States and Canada. In fields and meadows, by roadsides, etc.
Prepared (how).—Powder, oil and infusion. To make infusion, use one ounce to pint of boiling water.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—The infusion, one to two ounces, should be used three or four times daily; powder, ten to twenty grains, the same. The oil is more effective in bleeding and dysentery and bleeding piles. Oil is very good, in doses of one to five drops every three hours for acute diseases, or three times a day for chronic cases. Put on sugar.
GARLIC. Allium Sativum.
Internally, used for.—Nervous children, coughs, colds, hoarseness, worms, croup, nervous vomiting.
Externally, used for.—Poultice.
Gather.—When ripe.
Grows (where).—Native of Asia and Egypt; now cultivated.
Prepared (how).—Juice, syrup, powder, or may be taken whole. Juice or syrup is the best form.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—For coughs, bronchitis and worms, should be taken five times daily; croup, every half hour for a few doses. Nervous cough and vomiting only a few doses. Local.—Bruise bulbs and apply warm as a poultice in bronchitis, croup and tumors. For retention of urine, place a poultice in the perineum or over bladder on the abdomen. Dose of juice, twenty to thirty drops. Dose of syrup, ten drops to one teaspoon; this is very destructive to round worm.
GENTIAN. Gentiana Lutea.
Internally, used for.—Tonic appetizer, dyspepsia, ammenorrhea.
Prepared (how).—Powder, tincture and infusion. To make infusion, use one ounce of the root to a pint of boiling water.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of powder, ten to twenty grains. Tincture, one teaspoonful. Infusion, one to two ounces. Taken before meals for dyspepsia and loss of appetite. It should not be taken when the stomach is irritable. It is a good bitter tonic.
GINSENG.—Red Berry. Five Fingers. Panax Quinquefolium.
Internally, used for.—Gravel, general weakness, poor appetite.
Flowers (when).—In May.
Grows (where).—In United States, in rich soil and in shady places.
Prepared (how).—Powder. Infusion is made by adding one ounce to a pint of boiling water.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—It should be taken three or four times a day for gravel or general weakness. As an appetizer it should be taken before meals. Dose of powder, ten to sixty grains. Dose of infusion, one to three ounces.
GINGER. Zingiber Officinale.
Internally, used for.—To increase gastric juice secretions, stimulating tonic, diarrhea, dysentery, flatulency, cramps and nausea.
Externally, used for.—Ulcers.
Grows (where).—Native of Asia.
Prepared (how).—Powder. Infusion made by adding half ounce of the powdered or bruised root to a pint of boiling water.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—For diarrhea, dysentery and cholera infantum, mix it with rhubarb, equal parts, or take alone. If with rhubarb it should be stopped if it becomes too laxative. Used alone for want of tone of stomach, flatulency, cramps and colic. It tones up the stomach and bowels temporarily, but should not be used long or frequently. Dose of powder, ten to twenty grains. Dose of infusion, one to two ounces.
GOLDEN SEAL. Orange Root. Yellow Puccoon. Ground Raspberry. Turmeric Root.Hydrastis Canadensis.
Internally, used for.—Tonic in dyspepsia, chronic stomach and bowel trouble. Torpid liver, sore mouth; gonorrhea (injection), leucorrhea, gleet.
Gather.—In autumn.
Flowers (when).—In May or June.
Grows (where).—United States and Canada.
Prepared (how).—Powder, infusion, tincture, fluid extract. Use half ounce of root to a pint of boiling water for infusion.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Of the powder, five to ten grains; of infusion, one ounce; of tincture, half to one teaspoonful and of fluid extract, five to twenty drops. When it is called for, the tongue is generally coated whitish; it will soon clear that. Diarrhea, etc., due to stomach and bowel troubles are benefited by it. Two parts of the decoction of golden seal and one of cranesbill used as an injection is good for gonorrhea, gleet, and leucorrhea. Same is good for chronic cystitis. If too strong, weaken it. Good in this form, mixed with cranesbill, for diarrhea and dysentery; taken in two teaspoonful doses every three hours.
GRAVEL PLANT. Gravel-Weed. Mountain Pink. Ground Laurel. May Flower.Trailing Arbutus. Epigea Repens.
Internally, used for.—Gravel and irritable bladder, causes more urine to flow, just as buchu does.
Gather.—In summer.
Flowers (when).—Appear in April and May.
Grows (where).—Canada and United States, on sides of hills with northern exposure.
Prepared (how).—Infusion, and fluid extract which can be bought. Use one ounce of the leaves to one pint of boiling water and let it steep to make an infusion.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose: One to two teaspoonfuls. For gravel, take one teaspoonful every three hours. For irritable bladder take half teaspoonful every three hours.
HOPS. Humulus Lupulus.
Internally, used for.—Nervousness, sleeplessness, hysteria, in afterpains, to prevent chordee.
Externally, used for.—Used as a fomentation in many inflammatory diseases.
Gather.—In the fall or when fully ripe.
Grows (where).—Native of North America and Europe.
Prepared (how).—Infusion, tincture and fluid extract lupulin.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of infusion, two to four ounces; tincture one to four drams. Fluid extract, five to twenty drops. For nervous troubles, take one ounce of the infusion, or one dram tincture, every hour or two until quiet; same for sleeplessness. In delirium tremens, infusion drank with some red pepper in it settles the stomach and quiets the craving for drink. Following is good for chordee, etc.:
Lupulin 1 dram.Camphor monobromate 1 dram.Cocoa Butter, sufficient.
Make twelve suppositories and insert one in rectum every three or four hours. Take at the same time, the infusion or tincture every two or three hours. Fomentations are good in pleurisy and many other inflammations. Inhale steam in throat and chest troubles.
HORSE CHESTNUT. Aesculus Hippocastanum.
Internally, used for.—Rheumatism. Used especially for piles.
Gather.—Late autumn.
Flowers (when).—In May and June, and fruit ripens late in autumn.
Grows (where).—Native of Asia. Naturalized here.
Prepared (how).—Powder of the rind of the root or powdered fruit. Decoction made of the bark by using one and one-half ounces to a pint of water and boiling.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose: For rheumatism two ounces, three times a day. For piles, make an ointment of the powdered nut and apply. This is very good.
HOARHOUND. White Hoarhound. Marrubium Vulgare.
Internally, used for.—Coughs, colds, bronchitis, chronic asthma, sweating, hoarseness.
Gather.—When fresh.
Grows (where).—Naturalized in United. States. Grows in dry sandy fields, waste grounds, roadsides; etc.
Prepared (how).—Infusion hot and cold by adding one ounce to pint of water; fluid extract.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of infusion, two to four ounces; fluid extract, one to two teaspoonfuls. A syrup is also made; dose, two ounces. Infusion used hot for sweating, freely and often; cold and chest troubles about every two to four hours; or use fluid extract. The hot infusion should be used in asthma, amenorrhea, and hoarseness.
JUNIPER. Juniper Communis.
Internally, used for.—Dropsy, and to increase flow of urine in kidney troubles.
Gather.—August.
Flowers (when).—In May and June and ripe in August.
Grows (where).—Grows in United States and Canada, in dry woods and hills.
Prepared (how).—In infusion or oil. For infusion, use one ounce of the berries to a pint of boiling water. It can be made more effective by adding half ounce of cream of tartar to the infusion.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—It should be used within the twenty-four hours for above troubles, dropsy, etc. The oil can be bought and used in doses of five to twenty drops, three or four times a day.
LADY'S SLIPPER. American Valerian. Yellow Umbel. Nerve Root. Yellow Moccasin Flower. Noah's Ark. Cypripedium Pubescens. Internally, used for.—Hysteria, chorea, nervous headache, nervousness, delirium, hypochondria.
Gather.—In autumn, cleanse from dirt and dry in the shade. Virtue impaired by boiling.
Flowers (when).—In May and June.
Grows (where).—Most parts of United States in rich woods and meadows.
Prepared (how).—In infusion, powder and tincture.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of powder, thirty to sixty grains in hot water. Tincture, one to two teaspoonfuls. Infusion, one to four ounces. For chronic cases large doses three or four times daily. For acute cases half as much every two or three hours. For nervous headache two doses, half hour apart. Following is a good preparation for nervous or sick headache: catnip, scullcap and lady's slipper, in powder, of each one-half ounce. Pour on a pint of boiling water and steep for fifteen minutes, and take half ounce every half hour, for three or four hours.
LIFE ROOT. Rag Wort. Squaw Weed. Female Regulator. Senecio Gracilis.
Internally, used for.—Mainly for menstrual disorders, when suppressed or too profuse, dysmenorrhea.
Gather.—In autumn.
Flowers (when).—May or June.
Grows (where).—Northern and western United States on banks of creeks and in low marshy grounds.
Prepared (how).—In infusion, by adding half ounce to a pint of boiling water and let steep and take throughout twenty-four hours. Take four or five days before menstruation is expected.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—For amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea it may be combined in equal parts with savin and wild ginger, and take one to two ounces four times a day some days before menstruation. In menorrhagia—too much flow—cinnamon and raspberry leaves can be combined with it. Dose, two to four ounces four times a day.
LOBELIA. Wild or Indian Tobacco. Emetic Herb. Puke Weed. Asthma Weed.Lobelia Inflata.
Internally, used for.—Asthma, emetic for croup (but very weakening), and lung diseases.
Gather.—August or September.
Flowers (when).—July to September.
Grows (where).—Very common, growing in fields and roadsides.
Prepared (how).—As an infusion, one ounce to pint of water, steeped; also tincture.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of the tincture, five to ten drops. Infusion, one to two teaspoonfuls. It should not be used strong enough to produce vomiting, as it is too weakening. In small doses and given often in infusion it produces sweating and relaxation of the tissues, thus helping in asthma and lung diseases; For asthma, dose:—Ten drops of tincture every ten minutes at the onset until better or until there is a little nausea, and then lengthen the interval.
MAIDENHAIR. Adiantum Pedatum.
Internally, used for.—Expectorant, tonic and cooling uses; in fevers, erysipelas, and pleurisy, coughs, hoarseness, influenza.
Gather.—In autumn. Grows (where).—In United States in deep woods, on moist rich soil.