Mother's Remedies Part 96

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 pa.s.s. 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, sc.r.a.pe 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.