The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1885-11-21
HERBS AND THEIR UsEx



well-known weed. growing plentifully
throughout the Western States, in low.
rich woodlands and prairies, generally
around the edges Of ponds and vet
lands. It has straight stalk, from
three to six or eight feet high, Of a dark
purple color, coarse leaves, and beauti-
ful bright purple flowers on top, re-
naming late in the fall. The root is q
bitter tonic, Alternative. It is particu-
larly useful in female diseases. It ia
also said to be q certain remedy for the
chills and bilious fevers. As an altera-
tive it is considered highly valuable in
scrofula, diseases of the skin, etc. Dose
Of the decoction. one-half wineglass or
more; Of the tincture, two or three tea-
spoons several times o day.
JERUSALEM OAK.-This plant grows
from ono to three feet high. apd is
found wild in nearly all parts Of the
United States, in waste pla 'es, about
old buildings, and along roadsides. It
il also known as wormseed, and Ia
sometimes cultivated in gardens. It
flowers during July and August, and
bears an immense number OF little
greenish brown seeds. the part used as
medicine, which should be gathered
when ripe, during tho fall. This is Q
valuable, very certain, and always safe
snthelmintic or worm medicine. Il il
also anti-spasmodic. Valuable in al
cases Of worms. The seeds are TO be
pulverized and mixed with honey or
molasses, until the mixture becomes q
thick electuary; then given to children
in teaspoonful doses, night and morn
inG Tor few days, to be followed by
dose of castor-ol or other cathartic.
The oil, however, is mostly used now,
being equally as good, and much more
convenient; the dose of which is from
three or four to ten drops, in q little
sugar or in syrup, muciiage, or milk, to
be given night and morning for three
or four days, and then, as in the other
case, to be followed 10y brisk purga-
tive.
LADY's SLIPPER known also by
the names OF American valerian, nerv-
me, etc. There are two or three varie-
ties, however. one having yellow flow
ers and the other white and pink or red,
are mostly used. The lady's slipper
grows in most Of the States, in rich,
sandy soil, generally On the sides of
hills and bluffs, along streams, and IN
rioh, shady woods. It rises 10 the
height of cne or two feet, leaves three
OF four inches long and two or three
wide, are alternate, and attached by
sort of sheath around the stalk. The
flowers are large. shiny. and somewhat
In the shape of moccasin, either of q
pale yellow or white, with red or pur-
pie spots. The roots are bunchy,
hbrous, crooked, and about as thick as
wheat stem. The root is the part
used. 1t is nervine and somewhat
tonic and diaphoretic. It is useful in
I'll cases Of nervous irritability, head
ache, hysteris. restlessness, and where
often combined with the skull-cap in
severe nervous affections. the compound
being more powerfully nervine and
anti-spnsmodic. Lady's-slipper root is
very generally used in the form of in
fusion, bnt is generally used in extract
and tincture. Dose: OF the alcoholic
extract. from five to ton grains: Of the
GDoture from two to four teaspoonf,,ls;
OF the powder, about one teaspoon in .
little herb tea or warm water. The in
fusion is made by sleeping about one
ounce of the powdered root in one pint
Of boiling water Dose. from half to
teacup, every hour or two, oftener
ac6ording to symptoms. lis an excel
lent substitute for the foreign or Euro
peAn valerian, and in most respects
iuuy equal to it. 1t can always be
found at the drug stores.
Observation-Disclosures called liver
Leaf and trefoil. This is small plant,
having q sort OF three-lobed leaf ON
each stem. the stems rising only six or
sight inches high, and is common in
most OF the States, growing in woods,
and usually upon the sides of hills and
oluffs-generally the south side. 1t
blossoms very early in the spring.
either in March or April, the flowers
being of a purplish- white color. The
whole plant is used. 1t is tonic and
sdghtly astringent. and is used in the
form of infusion or syrup in affections
ot the lungs, liver comp amt, bleeding
9 the lungs, etc. 1t may be taken
nicely in infusion.
LuNawoRr.-This plant is more COM
monty known by the name of eowsiip.
It is conlnlvn to the United States. and,
being rather handsome plant, on ac
count of its beautiful blue flowers, is
Often cultivated in gardens. II grows
rom fifteen to twenty inches high.
The leaves are the part used, and are
muoilasinous, demulcent, and slightly
astringent. Used in the form of infu-
1on in lung affections, particularly
bleeding at the lungs; and also as q
demulcent in aysentery.