Chapter 52

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.

[HERB DEPARTMENT 413]

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.

Part used.--Leaves of the raspberry and the bark of the other two.

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.

Part used.--Bark of the root.

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.

Part used.--Root and should be kept dry.

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.

[414 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

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. Iris Versicolor.

Internally, used for.--Chronic liver troubles, sick or bilious headache, cathartic, catarrh of the upper bowel, jaundice, round worms, indigestion, chronic rheumatism.

Part used.--The root. Make a tincture immediately or dry it quickly before the fire, clean, powder, and bottle tight for use.

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. Indian Sage. Ague Weed. Vegetable Antimony. Eupatorium Perfoliatum.

Internally, used for.--Ague, malarial fevers, influenza, colds, tonic, cathartic.

Externally, used for.--A fomentation.

Part used.--The top and leaves.

Gather.--When at its best in early autumn.

Flowers (when).--In August and September.

Grows (where).--All over the United States.

[HERB DEPARTMENT 415]

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.

Part used.--Leaves and top.

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.

Part used.--Leaves.

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.

Part used.--Roots and seeds.

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.

[416 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

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.

Part used.--Roots and seeds. Garden carrot, only the root is used.

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.

Part used.--Leaves and top.

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.

[HERB DEPARTMENT 417]

Part used.--Herb and root. Latter is the best.

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.

Part used.--Leaves and herb.

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.

Part used.--The plant.

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.

[418 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

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. Caulophyllum Thalictroides.

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.

[HERB DEPARTMENT 419]

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.

Part used.--Root.

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.

Part used.--Root.

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.

[420 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

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.

Part used.--Bark.

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. Albany Beechdrops. 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.

Part used.--The root.

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. Geranium Maculalum.

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.

[HERB DEPARTMENT 421]

Part used.--The root.

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.

Part used.--Root. Age impairs its virtues. The dried root is safest to use, if not too old.

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.

Part used.--Root. The green plant is good to use in the form of greens. Milky juice is also good when fresh.

[422 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

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. Helonias Divica. 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.

Part used.--Root. Root is two to two and a half inches in length.

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.

Part used.--Flowers and berries. Bark of the root also is used.

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.

[HERB DEPARTMENT 423]

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.