Prepared (how).—As a decoction or syrup. Take an ounce of the herb to a pint of boiling water and boil to make a decoction.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Use freely. For feverish conditions use one to two ounces every two hours. In coughs and hoarseness, take four to five times daily. For influenza and pleurisy enough to produce perspiration.
MANDRAKE. May Apple. Wild Lemon. Indian Apple. Raccoon Berry. PodophyllumPeltatum.
Internally, used for.—A cathartic, alterative action in liver troubles in chronic hepatitis; in blood diseases as syphilis, rheumatism; clears liver; for constipation.
Gather.—In autumn soon after fruit has ripened.
Flowers (when).—May and June and fruit ripens in September.
Grows (where).—In all parts of the United States, in damp and shady woods and sometimes in dry and exposed places.
Prepared (how).—In powder and tincture. To make tincture: Gather the fresh root before the fruit is ripe, chop and pound to a pulp, and weigh. Then take two parts of alcohol by weight, mix the pulp thoroughly with one-sixth of the alcohol and then add the rest of the alcohol. Stir all, pour into a well stoppered bottle, let stand eight days, in a cool place. Pour off, strain, filter.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—The resin, called podophyllin, can be obtained, and is used in one-fourth to one-eighth grain as a laxative; one-sixteenth of a grain can be taken four times a day for chronic liver trouble. Take ten drops of tincture four times a day for chronic diseases. Some can take more. For blood diseases., rheumatism, etc.
MARSHMALLOW. Mortification Root. Altheae Officinalis.
Internally, used for.—Hoarseness, gonorrhea, irritated bladder, acute dysentery, and diarrhea, blood in urine and gravel.
Externally, used for.—Poultice for painful swellings, bruises, scalds, burns, poisons.
Gather.—Autumn.
Flowers (when).—July to September.
Grows (where).—Europe and this country.
Prepared (how).—Poultice; cut up finely and apply hot. Decoction half ounce to two pints of boiling water and boil down to one pint.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Take one to three ounces four times a day for chronic diseases, and one ounce every two hours for acute troubles mentioned above. It is a mild soothing drink and medicine.
MARIGOLD. Calendula Officinalis.
Externally, used.—As a local remedy for cuts and wounds, applied constantly, it is the best remedy I know.
Gather.—When in full bloom.
Grows (where).—Well-known garden plant.
Prepared (how).—Make a tincture of the flowers and leaves, or buy it. To make tincture: Take the fresh leaves at the top of the plant with the blossoms and buds, chop and pound to a pulp, enclose in a piece of new linen and press. Shake the expressed juice, with an equal part of alcohol by weight, allow it to stand eight days in a well stoppered bottle, in a dark cool place and then filter.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Use freely on clean linen or gauze on wounds, cuts, etc.
MILKWEED. Also called Silkweed. Asclepias Syriaca.
Internally, used for.—Dropsy, retention of urine, scrofulous and rheumatic troubles.
Gather.—In autumn.
Flowers (when).—July and August.
Grows (where).—Common in United States and grows in sandy fields, on the roadsides and on bank of streams.
Prepared (how).—Powder, decoction and tincture. Decoction is made by using three ounces of the root to one quart of water, and boil.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Take as directed four times a day. Dose of tincture, ten to thirty drops four times a day. Can be bought. Dose, of the powder, ten to twenty grains. Decoction, two to four ounces.
MOTHERWORT. Leonurus Cardiaca.
Internally, used for.—Menstrual disorders, nervousness, cramps, amenorrhea from colds, suppressed lochia, hysteria, pains peculiar to women, disturbed sleep.
Externally, used for.—Used as a fomentation over womb in dysmenorrhea.
Gather.—Early autumn.
Flowers (when).—May and September.
Grows (where).—In fields and pastures.
Prepared (how).—Decoctions, use two ounces of dried herb to a quart of water and boil down to a pint.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—One to two tablespoonfuls every two hours. Smaller doses can be used for nervous women every hour, and when there are painful menstruations, suppressed lochia, hysteria, sleeplessness, etc.
MUSTARD. Sinapis Alba.
Internally, used for.—As an emetic, condiment, hiccough.
Externally, used for.—Counter-irritation.
Gather.—While fresh, so the leaves can also be used. Seeds when used should be ripe.
Grows (where).—Almost everywhere.
Prepared (how).—In many ways, poultices, plasters, etc.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Mustard leaves dampened with cold water are good for pleurodynia, lumbago, neuritis, cramps in legs, inflammations, croup, etc., applied locally. For apoplexy and convulsions, mustard poultices of the seeds to feet, and mustard foot baths, handful of ground mustard to hot water. Same is good in colds, sleeplessness, dysmenorrhea, headache. Mustard water is good for poisoning as an emetic. Hiccough: Teaspoonful of mustard in four ounces of boiling water, steep for twenty minutes, and take in four doses.
OAK BARK. (Red and White). Quercus Alba.
Internally, used for.—Leucorrhea, piles, diarrhea, sore throat and mouth.
Externally, used for.—Sores on man or beast.
Prepared (how).—Decoction.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—This decoction is used as an injection in leucorrhea, piles and as a gargle in sore mouth, etc. Its astringent property is due to the tannic and gallic acid it contains.
ONION. Allium Cepa.
Internally, used for.—Coughs, catarrh, croup, laxative.
Externally, used for.—Poultice for boil, inflammation, earache, etc., raw and roasted and used locally.
Gather.—In autumn.
Grows (where).—Native.
Prepared (how).—As a poultice, raw; when boiled volatile oil is cast off.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Juice mixed with sugar is good for colds, coughs, catarrh, croup, chronic bronchitis. Roasted Spanish onion is good, eaten at bedtime, as a laxative; fried in lard and applied locally it makes a splendid poultice. Roasted in coals it makes a good poultice for earache, toothache, sore throat and sore chest.
PARSLEY. Rock Parsley. Petroselinum Sativum.
Internally, used for.—Dropsy, especially following scarlet fever, retained urine, painful urination, gonorrhea.
Externally, used for.—Seeds and leaves sprinkled on the hair, in powder, destroy vermin. Bruised leaves applied as a fomentation, cure the bites or stings of insects.
Gather.—In autumn.
Grows (where).—Cultivated.
Prepared (how).—Infuse the whole plant, or a decoction can be made of the root and seeds.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Drink freely of the infusion or decoction. Dose, two to four ounces three times a day, or less dose and oftener. The oil can be bought and used, two to three drops three or four times, daily.
PARTRIDGE BERRY. Squaw Vine. Checker Berry. One Berry. Winter Clover.Deerberry. Mitchella Repens,
Internally, used for.—Dropsy, suppressed urine, tonic and alterative action on womb.
Externally, used for—Cure for sore nipples.
Gather.—During the season.
Flowers (when).—June and July.
Grows (where).—In United States and Canada; in dry woods, among hemlock timber and in swampy places.
Prepared (how).—Infusion, tincture, fluid extract, decoction. Infusion, one ounce to pint of boiling water. Tincture: chop fresh plant and pound to a pulp and weigh. Then take two parts, by weight, of alcohol; mix pulp with one-sixth part of it thoroughly and rest of alcohol added, stir all well, pour into a well stoppered bottle and let stand eight days in a dark cool place; pour off, strain and filter.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of tincture, one-half to one teaspoonful. For chronic diseases take one to two ounces of infusion four times a day. For suppressed urine take half ounce every two hours. Dose of infusion, from one to two ounces every three hours. To tone the womb and make labor easier, the Indians used to take it several weeks before confinement. For sore nipple: two ounces (fresh, if possible) and make a strong decoction in a pint of boiling water. Boil down thick and apply on nipple after each nursing.
PEACH TREE. Amygdalus Persica.
Internally, used for.—Constipation, tonic to the stomach and bowels, leucorrhea, worms, inflammation of stomach and bowels, irritable bladder. haematuria, dysentery.
Gather.—When ripe.
Grows (where).—Cultivated.
Prepared (how).—By infusion; put ounce of leaves in one pint of cold water and let it steep.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—For inflammations take one tablespoonful of the cold infusion every hour or two. For bladder and urinary troubles and leucorrhea, put four ounces of the kernels in a quart of brandy; dose,—teaspoonful three or four times a day. For bowel troubles use half ounce of the flowers and half ounce of the kernels to a pint of water; boil to make a decoction and sweeten; dose,—teaspoonful occasionally, until relieved; for teething children and for worms use about five doses.
PENNYROYAL. Squaw Mint. Tickweed. Hedeoma Pulegoides.
Internally, used for.—Stimulant, sweating, menstrual troubles, suppressed lochia, suppressed menses, flatulent colic in children.
Grows (where).—In dry sterile places in calcareous soils. In all parts of the United States, etc.
Prepared (how).—An infusion, one ounce to a pint of boiling water and only steep, not boil.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Use infusion freely. Dose of oil two to five drops. For menstrual troubles, checked lochia and perspiration, take a hot foot bath in bed and drink freely of the tea until sweating occurs. It is frequently taken at bedtime for painful menstruation, etc.
PEPPERMINT. Mentha Piperita.
Internally, used for.—Tone stomach, colic, spasms, or cramps in stomach, to check nausea and vomiting.
Externally, used for.—Fresh herb bruised and laid over the abdomen, to allay sick stomach and diarrhea of children.
Gather.—Early autumn.
Flowers (when).—July to September.
Grows (where).—Native of England, cultivated here and grows wild in wet places.
Prepared (how).—Essence, oil; infusion made by adding one ounce of herb to a quart of boiling water and steep.
Disease, Dose, etc.—One to two ounces of infusion at a dose. The best form is the essence or oil. Dose of the essence five to ten drops; of oil one to five drops. It should be used carefully.
PLANTAIN. Plantago Major.
Externally, used for.—It is better used externally; the bruised leaves are good for poisonous wounds, bites of snakes, spiders and insects, ulcers, sore eyelids, salt rheum, erysipelas, poisoning from ivy and other skin affections.
Flowers (when).—From May to October.
Grows (where).—Well known and grows in rich moist places.
Prepared (how).—Tincture, infusion, bruised leaves for external use.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Some claim the infusion is good for snake bites or the expressed juice can be used. This, to my mind, is doubtful and I would advise the usual remedies first. The tincture is good for some kinds of toothache, in one to two drop doses. The bruised leaves or the tea may be used for other diseases mentioned as poultice or wash.
PLEURISY ROOT. Butterfly Weed. Wind Root. Tuber Root. Orange Swallow Wort.Asclepias Tuberosa.
Internally, used for.—Pleurisy, pneumonia, catarrh, acute rheumatism, diarrhea, dysentery, sweating and expectorant, falling womb.
Gather.—Autumn.
Flowers (when).—July and August.
Grows (where).—In gravelly and sandy soils.
Prepared (how).—Infusion, one ounce to a pint of boiling water and let steep. Tincture; buy powder.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of powder, ten to thirty grains three times a day in womb diseases. For falling womb use one ounce pleurisy root and one-half ounce unicorn root (true), mix powder and give in twenty to thirty grain doses three times daily; and an injection of the same, in infusion, may be given once a day. For pleurisy, etc., in first stage give the warm infusion to promote sweating. Dose,—Four teaspoonfuls every half hour, until sweating is produced. Following is good for diarrhea and dysentery: Tincture pleurisy root two ounces, brandy one ounce, syrup of raspberry three ounces. Half to one teaspoonful everyone or two hours.
POKE. Garget. Coakum. Pingeon Berry. Scoke. Phytolacca Decandra.
Internally, used for.—Chronic rheumatism, syphilis, sore throat, sore, inflamed breasts, scrofula.
Externally, used for—For fat people. Caked breasts, felons and tumors.
Gather.—Root late in November, cut in thin transverse slices and dry with moderate heat. Berries, when ripe.
Flowers (when).—July to September.
Grows (where).—Native of United States along fences in newly cleared spots, in cultivated fields, roadsides, etc.
Prepared (how).—Juice of plant. Powdered root, poultice, fomentation.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—One to five grains of powdered root as an alterative in chronic blood diseases, syphilis, etc. Juice of plant, half teaspoonful three times a day, for same diseases can be used. For caked breasts one to three drops of the tincture every one to three hours, at same time applying the root (roasted in ashes until soft) mashed and applied as a poultice; good also for a felon or can apply a hot fomentation of the leaves instead.
PRICKLY ASH. Toothache Tree. Xanthoxylum Fraxineum.
Internally, used for.—Chronic rheumatism, syphilis, skin affections, dysmenorrhea.
Externally, used for.—Decoction used as a wash or gargle in sore throat.
Gather.—Autumn or earlier in some climates.
Flowers (when).—April and May.
Grows (where).—United States in woods, thickets and moist shady places.
Prepared (how).—Tincture. Powder. Decoction of root one ounce to a pint of water and boil.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose,—half ounce every four to five hours. Tincture of the berries is also used for nervous diseases, dysmenorrhea, etc., in ten to thirty drops every two to four hours. Good also in blood diseases, four times a day. Powder for same troubles in doses of five to ten grains four times a day.
PRINCE'S PINE. Wintergreen. Ground Holly. Pipsissewa. Rheumatism Weed.Chimaphila Umbellata.
Internally, used for.—Kidney and bladder troubles, chronic rheumatism, syphilis, scrofula, gout, gleet.
Gather.—In autumn or late summer.
Flowers (when).—June and July.
Grows (where).—United States, etc., under the shade of woods and prefers a loose sandy soil enriched by decaying leaves.
Prepared (how).—Decoction and tincture; put a pound of the dried herb into a quart of water and three quarts of spirits; let stand for twelve days, and then turn off the liquid. This makes a tincture. To make decoction use one ounce of plant to a pint of boiling water and boil.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Take one to two ounces of the decoction three or four times a day; fluid extract can be bought, dose fifteen drops four times daily. Dose of tincture, one-half to one teaspoonful.
PUMPKIN. Cucurbita Pepo.
Internally, used for.—For tape worm and for urinary troubles, suppressed or retained urine.
Gather.—When ripe.
Grows (where).—Common.
Prepared (how).—A tea can be made of the seeds, or an oil gathered from them.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—A tea strong or weak as the age and case demand, may be given freely and is very effective. Do not bruise the seeds, as the virtue resides in the covering. An oil can be gathered from the seeds and is good for same purpose. Dose.—Six to twelve drops several times daily or three drops every two hours. For Tape worm, see article on another page. If it is best to take it as an emulsion get druggist to make it. Taken at night with fasting. In the morning take dose of salts. Watermelon seed tea is also good for kidney trouble.
QUEEN OF THE MEADOW. Purple Boneset. Gravel Root. Trumpet Weed. Joe-PyeWeed. Eupatorium Purpureum.
Internally, used for.—Gravel stone in the bladder, kidney or stone colic, or other urinary troubles.
Gather.—Autumn.
Flowers (when).—August to November.
Grows (where).—In wet places in United States.
Prepared (how).—Fluid extract; or an infusion, one ounce of the dried leaves or plant in a quart of boiling water and steep.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Half teacupful of the infusion may be taken every hour or two as hot as possible. This is a splendid remedy. Drug stores keep the fluid extract, which can be bought and given in doses of fifteen to thirty drops every three or four hours. Some claim it relieves the pain in the kidney stone colic; the Indians used it for that purpose.
QUEEN'S ROOT. Queen's Delight. Yaw Root. Cock-up-Hat. Stillingia Sylvatica.
Internally, used for.—Secondary syphilis, scrofula, chronic skin diseases.
Gather.—Autumn.
Flowers (when).—April to July.
Grows (where).—In United States, etc.
Prepared (how).—An infusion of the fresh root, or use the tincture or fluid extract. One ounce of root to pint of water for infusion.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of infusion one to two ounces. Tincture; dose, twenty to sixty drops. Extract; dose, ten to thirty drops; smaller doses given every two or three hours; larger dose three or four times daily. This is a good remedy. It can be given with other remedies like poke root, sarsaparilla, etc.
RED CLOVER. Trifolium Pratense.
Internally, used for.—Blood diseases and is often used with other remedies; good drank warm in whooping cough.
Externally, used for.—Ulcers.
Gather.—When fresh.
Flowers (when).—Throughout summer.
Grows (where).—Common.
Prepared (how).—In infusion and salve.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Use blossoms to make tea and drink freely; tea boiled down thick makes a good salve for ill-conditioned looking sores.
ROCK ROSE. Frost wort. Frost Plant. Cistus Canadensis.
Internally, used for.—Scrofula and blood diseases.
Gather.—In autumn early.
Flowers (when).—From May to July.
Grows (where).—In United States in dry sandy soil.
Prepared (how).—Infusion. Fluid extract. Decoction, use four ounces of the dried leaves to one quart of boiling water and boil.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of infusion or decoction, one ounce three times a day. Fluid extract is the best form, can be bought and given in doses of half to one teaspoonful three or four times a day. The following combination is good one for secondary syphilis: Rock rose, turkey corn, Queen's root, equal parts; either the infusion, decoction or fluid extract.
SAGE. Garden sage. Salvia Officinalis.
Internally, used for.—To stop sweating in consumption, used cold; and used warm to sweat. Gargle in sore throat, colds, coughs, etc., alone or combined with sumach berries or vinegar, or honey or alum.
Gather.—In early autumn;
Flowers (when).—In June.
Grows (where).—Cultivated.
Prepared (how).—As an infusion cold or hot; half ounce of leaves to a pint of boiling water.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose, an ounce or two. To produce perspiration give warm. To check perspiration give cold, in smaller doses and oftener. For sore mouth, sore throat, tonsilitis and quinsy, use hot infusion strong as a gargle.
SCOURING RUSH. Horse Tail. Shave Grass. Equisetum Hyemale.
Internally, used for.—Dropsy, suppression of the urine, blood in the urine, gravel, gonorrhea and gleet.
Gather.—Matures in June and July,
Grows (where).—In wet grounds in river banks, hillsides, and borders of woods in United States.
Prepared (how).—Infusion, one ounce to the pint of water.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—For above diseases drink in half ounce doses every two hours.
SASSAFRAS. Laurus Sassafras.
Internally, used for.—Syphilis, scrofula, skin eruptions, bland drink after poisoning,
Gather.—In autumn.
Flowers (when).—April and May.
Grows (where).—Common.
Prepared (how).—Infusion of the bark, one ounce to a pint of water; as a mucilage made by using two parts of the pith to one hundred of water. Do not boil.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of infusion, one to two ounces. Oil, five to ten drops on sugar for menstrual pain, and in painful urination. The mucilage is good for chest disorders, bowels, kidneys and for inflammation after poisoning, as a bland demulcent drink.
SENECA SNAKE ROOT. Mountain Flag. Milk Wort. Seneka or Senega. PolyaglaSenega.
Internally, used for.—Second stage of bronchitis in aged people, bronchial asthma, coughs.
Gather.—In autumn.
Flowers (when).—June to August.
Grows (where).—In United States in woods and on hillsides.
Prepared (how).—Powdered root. For decoction use one ounce of the dried root to a pint of boiling water and let boil. You can buy the syrup and fluid extract.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of the decoction, half to one ounce three or four times a day. Dose of the syrup, one to two teaspoonfuls.
Dose of the extract, ten to twenty drops. This remedy is frequently used with other remedies for bronchitis and cough.
SHEEP SORREL. Rumex Acetosa.
Internally, used for.—Scurvy.
Externally, used for.—Good for wens, boils, tumor, ulcers.
Gather.—Autumn.
Grows (where).—Well known plant.
Prepared (how).—Decoction; poultice made of roasted leaves.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Decoction, freely drank for scurvy. Poultices should be applied to above troubles.
SKUNK CABBAGE. Swamp Cabbage. Meadow Cabbage. Polecat Weed. FetidHellebore. Dracontium. Ictodes Foetida.
Internally, used for.—Asthma, whooping cough, nervousness, hysteria, convulsions of pregnancy.
Flowers (when).—March and April.
Grows (where).—Various parts of United States in moist places.
Prepared (how).—Powder. Tincture.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose: Five to ten grains of powder three times a day. A saturated tincture of the fresh root is much better, of which half a teaspoonful can be given everyone to four hours for above diseases.
SKULL CAP. Madweed. Hoodwort. Blue Pimpernel. Scutellaria Lateriflora.
Internally, used for.—Chorea, delirium, convulsions, neuralgia, restlessness, insomnia.
Gather.—Late summer while in flower.
Flowers (when).—July and August.
Grows (where).—In moist places.
Prepared (how).—Infusion, one ounce to the pint.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—The infusion may be drank freely, Fluid extract, dose, half to one teaspoonful, every two or three hours.
SLIPPERY ELM. Red Elm. Ulmus Fulva.
Internally, used for.—As a mucilage for stomach and bowel and urinary troubles when a mild, soothing demulcent drink is needed; in diarrhea, dysentery, coughs, painful urination, constipation.
Externally, used for.—As a poultice.
Gather.—Early fall. Flowers (when).—In April.
Grows (where).—In United States, in open elevated situations in rich firm soil.
Prepared (how).—Infusion of two ounces to pint of water. Mucilage made by using six parts of the dried bark to one hundred of water and allow to steep.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—The infusion and mucilage may be taken freely. The infusion can be injected for dysentery, diarrhea, gonorrhea, gleet and leucorrhea. Mucilage is taken after poisoning to allay inflammation of the membranes, etc. Eat bark or take prepared tablets for constipation.
SPEARMINT. Mentha Viridis.
Internally, used for.—Nausea and vomiting, internal and external scalding urine. For fever is superior to peppermint.
Externally, used for.—For piles.
Gather.—Just as the flowers appear in dry weather, and dry in the shade.
Flowers (when).—July and August.
Grows (where).—United States in moist places.
Prepared (how).—Warm or cold infusion.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Warm infusion, a handful of the herb to a quart of water and used freely to allay fever in inflammations, colds, etc. Cold infusion is good in highly colored or scalding urine. Local, saturate cotton with the strong infusion or diluted tincture, and apply to piles; use it hot.
SPIKENARD. Spignet. Pettymorrel. Pigeon-weed. Aralia Racemosa.
Internally, used for.—Coughs, colds, chronic rheumatism, syphilis.
Gather.—In autumn.
Grows (where).—In dry rocky woods in United States.
Prepared (how).—Decoction. Syrup.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Decoction, used freely in above diseases. It is an old home remedy. A syrup can also be made of it.
SMARTWEED. Water Pepper. Polygonum Punctatum.
Internally, used for.—Suppressed menstruation, to wash out the bladder, good for gravel, colds and coughs.
Externally, used for.—Fomentations. Part used.—The whole herb.
Gather.—Autumn.
Flowers (when).—August and September.
Grows (where).—About brooks and streams.
Prepared (how).—An infusion or a tincture made from the fresh plant. Use cold water to make infusion. Fomentations, simmer in water and vinegar.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of infusion, one to three ounces. Tincture, one to two teaspoonfuls. Apply fomentations for colic, bloating of abdomen; used often with other plants externally. For menstruation give half teaspoonful of the tincture four times a day a week before menstruation. Use small doses for other troubles.
SNAKE ROOT, VIRGINIA. Aristolochia Serpentaria.
Internally, used for.—Sweating for feverish conditions where eruptions are tardy in coming out.
Externally, used for.—For snake bites.
Gather (when).—May and June.
Grows (where).—Hill-sides, in rich shady woods.
Prepared (how).—Powdered root. Infusion made by using four teaspoonfuls of the powdered root to a pint of water and let steep.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Take two to three tablespoonfuls of the hot infusion every three to four hours. Dose of powdered root, ten to twenty grains in hot water.
SOLOMON'S SEAL. Convallaria Multiflora.
Internally, used for.—Female weakness, leucorrhea, menorrhagia.
Externally, used for.—Poultice for piles.
Gather.—Autumn.
Flowers (when).—May and August.
Grows (where).—In United States and Canada, sides of meadows, high banks, woods, and mountain.
Prepared (how).—Decoction, use one ounce of the root to pint of water and boil. Poultice, bruise the root.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of the decoction, one to two ounces. Take less when it is taken oftener, as much as the stomach will bear. Make a poultice of the bruised root for piles and local inflammation.
STONE ROOT. Horse Balm. Rich Weed. Knob Root. Hard Hack. CollinsoniaCanadensis.
Internally, used for.—Cramps, colic, dropsy, bladder troubles, gravel, leucorrhea.
Externally, used for.—Poultice for bruises, blows, wounds, strains.
Gather.—Autumn.
Grows (where).—United States and in Canada.
Prepared (how).—In infusion and poultice, steep the root in a covered dish.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of the infusion half to one ounce, three or four times a day.
STRAWBERRY. Fragaria Vesca.
Internally, used for.—Gravel, gout, irritable bladder, nettle rash, eruption.
Gather.—When ripe.
Flowers (when).—Spring; April, May and June.
Prepared (how).—As an infusion.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Leaves are astringent and good in infusion for sore mouth, diarrhea, and dysentery. Infusion of the root is a good diuretic and is effective in difficult urination and gonorrhea. Drink freely.
STRAMONIUM. Thorn-Apple. Stink Weed. Jimson Weed. Apple Pern. DaturaStramonium.
Internally, used for.—Used mainly for asthma.
Externally, used for.—Piles.
Gather.—When leaves are green and when flowers are in bloom.
Flowers (when).—July to September.
Grows (where).—Along roads, etc.
Prepared (how).—Ointment. The leaves should be dried for smoking. It is rather dangerous.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—For asthma, the leaves are mixed with tobacco leaves and smoked. It must be done carefully as it is poisonous. The leaves are good to cure piles when rubbed on them, or made into an ointment and used locally.
SUMACH. Rhus Glabra.
Internally, used for.—Sore mouth and throat, quinsy, diarrhea, leucorrhea, gonorrhea, suppressed urine.
Gather.—Autumn. Berries earlier.
Flowers (when).—June and July.
Prepared (how).—Make an infusion as usual. Use either bark or berries.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Fluid extract can be used and is safer; in doses of ten drops three times a day. The infusion will do as a gargle and a wash.
SWEET FLAG. Calamus. Flag Root. Sweet Rush. Acorus Calamus.
Internally, used for.—Disorders of the stomach, flatulency, dysentery, colic.
Gather.—Late autumn or early spring, wash clean and dry with moderate heat.
Grows (where).—Borders of small streams, ponds, wet meadows, swamp.
Prepared (how).—Infusion made by scalding one ounce of the root in a pint of water.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose: One to three ounces, warm, for general troubles; give hot for colic. One-third to a teaspoonful of the root can be taken.
ST. JOHN'S WORT. Hypericum Perfoliatum.
Internally, used for.—Suppressed urine, chronic urinary affections, diarrhea, menorrhagia, hysteria, etc.
Externally, used for.—Fomentations for caked breasts, hard tumors, bruises, swellings, stings and wounds.
Gather.—When fresh.
Flowers (when).—From June to August.
Grows (where).—In this country.
Prepared (how).—Ointment. Infusion of powder or blossoms. Infusion one ounce to one pint of boiling water.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of infusion, one to two ounces, three or four times daily or less. Powder; dose, thirty to sixty grains can be put in hot water and drank. Children's dose: Half to one teaspoonful. It should be taken three or four times daily in regular full doses for chronic diseases, and in half doses every two or three hours for acute diseases. Local.—Make an ointment of the tops and flowers, or boil down the infusion until thick, and make an ointment. First way is the best.
TANSY. Tanacetum. (Sometimes called double tansy).
Internally, used for.—Womb troubles and sweating, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, hysteria.
Gather.—In the summer.
Flowers (when).—July to September.
Grows (where).—Cultivated and also grows wild.
Prepared (how).—As an infusion and fomentation. The oil can be bought. To make infusion use one ounce of the plant to one pint of boiling water and let steep.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of the infusion one to two ounces. Oil, half to one drop. This oil is dangerous, so it must be taken carefully. For dysmenorrhea, take half ounce of infusion every hour or two. Same for hysteria. For amenorrhea, two ounces three times daily. For sweating, it should be taken in one to two-ounce doses and hot. Fomentations should be used hot and are good placed on the abdomen, over the womb, in painful menstruation.
TURKEY CORN. Wild Turkey Pea. Stagger-Weed. Corydalis Formosa.
Internally, used for.—Tonic, diuretic and alterative, for syphilis and scrofula. (Eclectics esteem this a great remedy).
Gather.—While the plant is in flower.
Flowers (when).—In March.
Grows (where).—In rich soils, on hills and mountains, etc.
Prepared (how).—Tincture. Infusion, four teaspoonfuls of the powdered bulb to one pint of boiling water and let steep.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of the infusion, one to three ounces three or four times daily. Tincture, half to one teaspoonful. Tincture can be bought at a drug store.
TURNIP, INDIAN. Jack-in-the pulpit. Wild Turnip. Dragon Root. ArumTriphyllum.
Internally, used for.—Expectorant and sweating purposes in chest troubles. Also good for sore mouth and sore throat if given in honey or syrup.
Gather.—In autumn.
Flowers (when).—From May to July.
Grows (where).—Common in South America in all moist and damp places.
Prepared (how).—Dry the root and powder it and give in honey or make into a syrup or given in powder.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—For sweating use powder in hot water, ten grains three times a day or smaller dose oftener. For bronchitis, etc., use in syrup or in honey, three or four times a day, five to ten grains at a dose. Same way for sore mouth and throat.
TRUE UNICORN ROOT. Star Grass. Colic Root. Ague Root. Crow Corn. AletrisFarinosa.
Internally, used for.—Its tonic influence upon the womb to prevent a tendency to miscarriage, for amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, falling, also for chlorosis.
Gather.—In autumn.
Flowers (when).—June and July.
Grows (where).—Most parts of United States, usually in dry sandy soils and barrens.
Prepared (how).—Powdered root. Tincture. Fluid extract.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Powdered root, five to ten grains three times a day. Saturated tincture, two to five drops, three times a day. Fluid extract, five to ten drops. Tincture and fluid extract can be bought at any drug store. For the above diseases it should be taken regularly four times a day. The fluid extract is the best form in which to take it and is often given by doctors.
WAHOO. Indian Arrow Wood. Burning-Bush. Spindle Tree. EnonymusAtropurpureus.
Internally, used for.—Dyspepsia, torpid liver, laxative, tonic.
Gather.—Autumn.
Flowers (when).—In June.
Grows (where).—In woods and thickets.
Prepared (how).—Powder. Tincture.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of powder, ten to twenty grains; saturated tincture, one to two teaspoonfuls; extract, one to five grains. This is a good remedy; smaller doses can be given every two hours for dyspepsia and liver complaint. It is often combined with remedies, like dandelion, yellow dock, burdock.
WILD CHERRY. Prunus Virginianus.
Internally, used for.—Tonic, dyspepsia, scrofula.
Gather.—In autumn.
Flowers (when).—In May.
Prepared (how).—Powdered bark or infusion. One ounce of bark to one pint of cold water to make infusion, allow it to stand for a few hours.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Take of infusion one to three ounces four or five times a day. Dose of powdered bark, one to two teaspoonfuls in hot water. For tonic action and for dyspepsia it should be taken oftener and in half the given doses.
WILD YAM. Colic Root. Dioscorea Villosa.
Internally, used for.—Bilious colic.
Gather.—In autumn.
Flowers (when).—June and July.
Grows (where).—United States and in Canada, twining over bushes and fences, thickets and hedges.
Prepared (how).—Decoction of the root. Pour a pint of boiling water on two ounces of the bruised root, let steep slowly for half hour, strain.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Give half cupful of decoction every twenty minutes for bilious colic. Some have given half a pint at once in a severe case.
WORMWOOD. Artemisia Absinthium.
Internally, used for.—Worms, jaundice, dyspepsia, amenorrhea and leucorrhea.
Externally, used for.—Bruises, local inflammations.
Flowers (when).—In July and August.
Grows (where).—United States.
Prepared (how).—Fomentations. An infusion is made by adding thirteen of the herbs to a pint of cold water.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Dose of infusion one to four teaspoonfuls. Use fomentations for bruises and local inflammation.
WORMSEED. Goose Foot. Stinking Weed. Chenopodium Anthelminticum.
Internally, used for.—Worms, round worms.
Gather.—In late autumn.
Flowers (when).—July to September.
Grows (where).—United States, in waste places.
Prepared (how).—Oil.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—Four to eight drops of oil to be given night and morning, for four or five days, and then followed by a purgative. Combination: Oil of wormseed one ounce, oil of tansy one ounce, spirits of turpentine one and one-half ounce, castor oil one pint. Dose for a child, a teaspoonful every hour until it operates; for an adult one tablespoonful. Powdered herb: Dose, half to one teaspoonful.
YARROW. Milfoil. Thousand Leaf. Achillea Millefolium.
Internally, used for.—Bleeding from the lungs, kidneys, piles, dysentery, menorrhagia.
Flowers (when).—Nearly whole summer.
Grows (where).—Europe and America in fields, woods, pastures.
Prepared (how).—Decoction, half ounce of plant to six ounces of water and boil down to three ounces. Juice of the herb is also used.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—In menorrhagia either can be used, as well as in other diseases. Tablespoonful of decoction every hour. The expressed juice in two or three tablespoonful doses may be taken three times a day.
YELLOW DOCK. Rumex Crispus.
Internally, used for.—Skin disease, scrofula, syphilis, scurvy.
Externally, used for.—Fresh root bruised in cream is good applied to ulcers, tumors and itch.
Gather.—Early autumn.
Flowers (when).—June and July.
Grows (where).—In pastures, dry fields, etc.
Prepared (how).—One ounce root to a pint of boiling water. Let steep.
Diseases, Dose, etc.—One or two ounces, three times a day; or half ounce every three hours. This is a good remedy. Some people should commence with smaller doses.
In cities and in most towns Homeopathic medicine will be found in drug stores in their special preparations. Some drug stores handle Homeopathic medicines exclusively.
MEDICINES.—Homeopathic medicines should be kept in a dry cool place. Do not leave them standing open among odors or exposed to bright lights. The following are among those common for home use:
List of Remedies.
Aconitum Colocynthis PhosphorusAntimonium crudum Cuprum metallicum PulsatillaAntimonium tartaricum Gelsemium Rhus toxicodendronApis Hepar Sulphuricum SanguinariaArnica radix Hyoscyamus SepiaArsenicum Ipecacuanha SiliceaBelladonna Lycopodium SpigeliaBryonia Mercurius SpongiaChamomilla Natrum muriaticum SulphurChina Nux Vomica Veratrum albumCina OpiumCinchona (see China) Phosphoric acid
Fluid for External Use.
Arnica. Calendula.
Care of Medicine in the Sick Room.—Use a clean tumbler and when not using cover the tumbler with a small saucer or piece of cardboard. Set it in a cool place and where it is free from odors, as liquid medicines exposed are likely to take up such impurities.
They are prepared in two forms, Dilutions and Triturations (powdered form). From the triturations tablets are made. When we write "3X dil." that means 3X dilution; when we write "3X trit." that means 3X trituration. The 3X means or indicates the strength of the medicine. We have different dilutions and triturations, as IX, 2X, 3X, 4X, etc., according to the strength of the medicine used and we say dil. or trit., for dilution or trituration, depending upon the form to be used. Tablets are handier to use than the triturations or powder. In this book when I write trituration I shall always expect you to use it in the form of tablets. Instead of giving directions in every disease how to prepare the medicine, I will give it here.
When you use the medicine in the dilution (liquid) form, you put ten to fifteen drops of the dilution (say the 2X or any one) in a glass half full of water and give one to two teaspoonsful everyone-half to one to two or three hours, as the case may be, according to the age of the patient, etc. This is for acute cases.
For chronic cases.—You give medicine three or four times a day, one to two teaspoonfuls at a time. When you use it in trituration (tablet) form, you give one to two tablets at a dose every one-half to one, two or three hours, etc. In chronic cases three or four times a day, one or two tablets.
For the beginning of a common cold.—Aconite 2X dil. Put ten drops in a glass half full of water and take two teaspoonsful every one-half hour for three doses, then every three hours for twelve hours. Tincture of camphor in drop doses is also good.
If throat feels raw and sore.—I give three tablets of Mercurius bin. 2X trit. (tablet form) in alternation with the Aconite for three doses. Then stop it.
LA GRIPPE.—Gelsemium IX dil. Put ten drops in a glass half full of water and give one to two teaspoonfuls everyone-half to two hours. Feels sick, achy and bad all over; generally good at the beginning.
Belladonna 3X dil. if throat is raw and sore, throbbing, beating arteries, tickling annoying hard cough.
Mercurius 3X trit. (tablet form). When throat is sore with much saliva, sticky sweat which does not relieve.
Bryonia 2X dil. Grip with cold on chest, hurts to cough.
Phosphorus 3X dil. In bronchial tubes under breast bones.
Arsenicum 3X trit. (tablet form) stopped nose, watery burning discharge; feverish, thirsty and restless; chills and fever.
STOMATITIS.—Meaning a simple inflammation of the mouth.
Mercurius sol. 3X trit. (tablet form). Give one to two every one to three hours, according to the case.
APHTHAE (Thrush) in Children.—l Mercurius sol. 3X trit. (tablet form). Indicated when it extends downward and produces diarrhea. Give one tablet every four hours for a few days.
2. Arsenicum 3X trit. (tablet form). Give one tablet every two to four hours, when the parts look bluish and livid, with great weakness, much thirst and restlessness, with burning watery diarrhea.
In Adults.—Arsenicum 3X trit. (tablet form). Give about two tablets every three hours when the edge of the tongue is ulcerated and whitish with violent burning pains.
Mercurius 3X trit. (tablet form). Give two tablets every three hours, when the ulcerated gums discharge a fetid matter; loose teeth or teeth feel long, much sticky saliva in mouth.
GLOSSITIS. Inflammation of the tongue.
Aconite 2X dil. if there is much fever, fast pulse, dry skin. Prepare:—Put ten drops in a glass half full of water and give one to two teaspoonfuls everyone to three hours.
Mercurius 3X trit. (tablet form) indicated in most cases. Take two tablets every two to four hours.
DISEASES OF THE TEETH.—Chamomilla 1X dil. Put ten drops in one-half glass full of water and give one to two teaspoonfuls everyone to three hours. This is especially good in cross, nervous, teething babies.
Aconite 2X dil. Prepared and given as above stated. When there is much fever, dullness and stupor.
Mercurius sol. 3X trit. (tablet form). When the teeth are sore and feel too long; one to two tablets everyone to three hours.
DISEASES OF THE GUMS.—Hepar sulph. 3X trit. (tablet form) is good when teeth are ulcerated and decayed. Take one to two tablets every three hours. Or use,
Mercurius sol. 3X trit. (tablet form) if there is much saliva in the mouth and teeth feel too long.
UVULA, INFLAMMATION OF.—Aconite 2X di1. Ten drops of this in a glass half full of water and give one to two teaspoonfuls everyone to three hours, when there is fever, furred tongue, dry and hot skin.
Belladonna 3X dil., prepared and given same as Aconite, instead of Aconite when the parts are red, congested and painful.
Mercurius 3X trit. (tablet form). Good when the parts are much swollen, sore and very sensitive, darkish, with much sticky saliva in the mouth.
THROAT, INFLAMMATION OF.—Aconite 2X dil. Ten drops in a glass one-half full of water and give two teaspoonfuls everyone to three hours, in the first stage attended by fever, hot and dry skin.
Belladonna 3X dil. Is better in second stage, when there is some sweating, parts are red and swollen that interfere with swallowing.
Mercurius 3X trit. (tablet form). Given when there is much saliva with pain, soreness and difficulty in swallowing.
PHARYNGITIS, Inflammation of the Pharynx.—
Aconite 2X dil., Belladonna 3X dil., and Mercurius 3X trit. (tablet form) according to symptoms given above.
TONSILS, TONSILITIS AND QUINSY.—Aconite 2X dil. In the first twenty-four hours when there is fever, full pulse and dry skin.
Belladonna 3X dil. instead, when there is much redness and swelling of the parts with much trouble in swallowing, great pain. Prepared as above directed and given.
Hepar Sulph. 3X trit. (tablet form). One to two tablets every one to two to three hours when suppuration is threatened and where there is constant throbbing and pain in the tonsil.
Mercurius 3X trit. (tablet form). One to two tablets everyone to three hours, when the trouble continues after suppuration, parts are dark red and much thick sticky saliva and foul breath.
ENLARGED TONSIL (Chronic).—Baryta Carb. 3X trit. (tablet form). Take one to two tablets daily for some time.
DIPHTHERIA.—Antitoxin is the best remedy.
Belladonna 3X dil. Ten to fifteen drops in one-half glass of water and give two teaspoonfuls every one to two hours when there is fever, marked inflammation of the tonsils, no spots as yet, red face and throbbing arteries.
Kali bichrom 2X trit. (tablet form). Put ten to fifteen tablets in a glass half full of water and give one to two teaspoonfuls every one to two hours, when the discharge is thick and stringy.
Mercurius protoid 2X trit. (tablet form). Prepare and give same way asKali bichrom when membrane is dark, foul odor, tongue thick and pasty.
ESOPHAGUS, INFLAMMATION OF.—Aconite 2X dil. if there is much fever.Belladonna 3X dil. If there is much local pain.
GASTRITIS, ACUTE INFLAMMATION.—Aconite 2X dil. Put ten drops or fifteen drops in a half-glass of water and give when there is active and violent inflammation with full and rapid pulse, shivering and bilious vomiting.
Arsenicum 3X trit. (tablet form). Give one to two tablets every one to three hours. Where there is great soreness and burning, much thirst, vomiting, dry, red and cracked tongue.
Nux Vomica 3X trit. (tablet form). One to two tablets every one to three hours. When there is a dull pain and nausea, but no active vomiting; especially good in cases from drinking.
CHRONIC GASTRITIS.—Arsenicum alb. 3X trit. (tablet form), one to two tablets four times a day when there is much emaciation and when there is much desire to vomit.
Nux Vomica 3X trit. (tablet form). One to two tablets after meals when it is caused by intemperance, eating too highly seasoned food, too much tea and coffee. Bowels are generally constipated.
Pulsatilla 3X trit. (tablet form). One to two tablets after meals, when it is caused by rich, greasy foods, such as cakes, pies, puddings, pork and greasy gravies.
Carbo veg. 3X trit. (tablet form). Two tablets after meals when there is much wind (gas) in the stomach.
Bryonia alb. 2X dilution, ten drops put in a glass half full of water and take two teaspoonfuls after every meal and before retiring, when the stomach is sore to touch, food feels like a load in the stomach, with sour water coming up.
HEART-BURN.—Nux vomica 3X trit. (tablet form), Mercurius vivus 3X trit. (tablet form), Bryonia alb. 2X dil. are main remedies.
GASTRALGIA (Cardialgia).—Pains in the stomach.
Nux vomica 3X trit. (tablet form) with pressure and cramps in the stomach, more particularly if the patient uses coffee, tea and liquors, or is troubled with piles, constipation, with indoor life and headaches, two tablets every half hour until better.
Ignatia 3X trit. (tablet form) especially for morose, nervous females, same dose as Nux Vomica, and same way.
Pulsatilla 3X trit. (tablet form). Two tablets every half hour until better. When brought on by rich food, as pork, pies, cakes. It is especially good in blonde women with scanty and painful menstruation. Sepia 6X trit. (tablet form). One tablet everyone to three hours. It is especially good in brunette type with irregular and painful menstruation.
VOMITING.—Nux Vomica 3X trit. (tablet form). For acid vomiting, one tablet dry on the tongue every fifteen minutes.
Ipecac 3X trit. (tablet form) for bilious vomiting.
Cocculus 2X dil. for vomiting from riding. Ten drops in a half glass full of water; take one teaspoonful every ten minutes until better.
Arsenicum alb. 3X trit. (tablet form). One tablet every ten minutes until better when the vomit is watery, burning liquid, patient is very restless and thirsty. Generally found in disease.
ENTERITIS.—Acute inflammation of the small intestines.
Aconite 2X dil. Put ten drops in a glass half full of water and give one to two teaspoonfuls everyone to three hours. When it is at the commencement, caused by cold, with dry skin, dry tongue and fever.
Arsenicum alb. 3X trit. (tablet form). One to two tablets every one to two hours, when the pains are burning, tearing, cutting in the bowels, restless and anxious, vomiting and thirsty.