The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-12-10
INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL PLANTS.

oynOuS medicinal plants, propose 10 bring
The subject before our Southern people, par
,culariy our planters. with the hope that
,hey viii not allow the time to pass without
each one contributing his portion to an OBJ
;ect 50 important to the health OF our troops
nov fighting the battles Of our country.
Nor is the subject less important to US in
domestic point Of view. Our planters now
have it in their power not only to save mo-
nv in the purchase of drugs. but also to
make the collecting and dryiag Of ysgeta-
bic medicinal plants source OF income. II
will select few which should now be col
ltcyed. | shall avoid all technical and
botanical terms.
The Butterfly Weed, or Pteurisy Root, is
very common plant in South Carolina,
growing in old fields and along the borders
of meadows. Itsbrlliant clusters Of bright
scarlet flowers are well known to US. as APP
peariGg in June and July. II is best col,
issted in autumn. The root is the part used,
and is an excellent expectorant and dia-
phorelic.
Puccoon, or Blood Root, is a common
plant throughout the Confederate States.
Best collected III autumn, but may be COL.
scted al any time. The root is the part
used. 1t is eme;lc, expectorant and alter
atve.
Seaeka Snake Root grows abundantly in
the Southern country. 1t possesses emetIc
and cathartic properties--is valuable ex-
pectorant. and is highly priced in chronic
coughs, asthma and Group. 1t has been
employed successfully in rheumatism and
dropsey. 1t should now be collected. The
root is the part used.
Shpeataria - Virginia Snake Rotor
SmaH Snake Root, grows abundantly in
South Carolina and throughout the Confed.
crate States. 1t Is a plant of great value,
and the collecting sheud no longer be neg
Iected. 1t is medicine highly valued by
our planters, as an excellent tonic aud
stmulant.
.7mericaa Gentiaa = Blue Gentian or
Sampson Snake Root. is one of the purest
tonics in the vegetable kingdom. Il grows
grassy swamps and on the edges of roads,
and blossoms from September to December.
Is a medicine il is little, if at all, inferior
% the European Gentian. 1t excites the
appeute, inyIgorates the powers of diges-
ton, and is much esteemed as medicine in
dyspepsia. Ii is well known to us-its
il'wers are of palish blue and bell shaped.
d is one of the most beautiful plants IN
the Southern country. The root is the
part used, and may be collected during the
iasl aud winter months.
Canada Snake Root--Uild Ginger.--This
l',rt is found in woods and shady places,
~ lar South as Carolina. 1t is aromatic,
'iimulant and tonic. and may be well en-
pioyed as substitute for ginger all parts
u the plant have grateful aromatic odor,
aud more powerful IN the root, which is
lhe part used. 1t also possesses diapho-
ittic properties, and is sometimes used BY
'he country people as substitute for gin
ger. II is an admirable adjunct to tonic
illusions and decoctions. Ii should now
IN collected.
Caiamus-SiOeet Hag. found through
'ht tie Confederate States, in low, wet,
svampy places. Ii is aromatic and
a'muIant tonic, and is used with great adj
'aN'age in pain or uneasiness in the sto-
aich or bowels, arising from tlatulency,
'Hi 10 torpar or debility of the almentary
canal. The root is the part used.
Queens Delight, or Queens Root, is a
a-'Iiclne OF considerable value in scrofula,
'a'aneous. chronic hepatic affections, and
S'Voll1ary syphilis. II grows abundantly
70 pine oarrens. from Virginia to Florida.
) isalteratiye. The roo, is the part used,
. should be collected late in the fall or
''rly winter months.
Pink Root-Coroiina Pink.--Grows a.
SSunaantly throughout the Southern and
southwestern States. Its one Of our most
pOweriui enthelmiutics, or worm medicine.
combined with SIENNA it is medicine Of
seat value. The root is the part used,